Makes › Alfa Romeo › B.A.T. 5 / 7 / 9d (Bertone) · Prototype · 1953–1955 Ultra Rare
Alfa Romeo
B.A.T. 5 / 7 / 9d (Bertone)
Three running Scaglione aerodynamic studies on Alfa 1900 chassis
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 3 Built
- Years
- 1953–1955
- Engine
- Alfa Romeo 1900 inline-four (Tipo 1306, later 1308), DOHC, cast-iron block with alloy head
- Power
- Not yet verified
- Top speed
- 198 km/hFactory: 123 mph · converted
- Body
- Bertone
- Designer
- Franco Scaglione (Bertone)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 3 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The B.A.T. 5, 7 and 9d are three Bertone show cars of 1953-55, designed by Franco Scaglione on the Alfa Romeo 1900 platform to minimise aerodynamic drag. Their drag figures were far ahead of their time, and they are usually treated as one trilogy of design studies.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionAll three B.A.T. cars survive; they were shown together in 1989 and later sold together | 32,3 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
| Total model productionthe three B.A.T. cars (5, 7 and 9d), one per Turin show 1953–1955 ('The three cars were more than just design studies') | 31 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Alfa Romeo commissioned Bertone in autumn 1952 for the Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica programme. B.A.T. 5 debuted at the Turin show in May 1953, B.A.T. 7 followed in 1954 and B.A.T. 9d in 1955. Each took Scaglione's idea further: the drag coefficient fell from 0.23 on the 5 to 0.19 on the 7, and the 9d looked much more like a production Alfa Romeo, with the marque's grille.
All three were sold shortly after their debuts to the importer Stanley Arnolt in the United States. They were first shown together in 1989 at Pebble Beach.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard B.A.T. 5 / 7 / 9d (Bertone).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Alfa Romeo 1900 inline-four (Tipo 1306, later 1308), DOHC, cast-iron block with alloy head4 Independently researchedDonor model engine description, not a per-car figure. |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | Not yet verified |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | Not yet verified |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 198 km/hFactory: 123 mph · converted4 Independently researchedB.A.T. 5 only; RM Sotheby's gives 123.6 mph. |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
The Renowned Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 5, 7 & 9 Come to Contemporary Art Evening Sale – RM Sotheby's / Sotheby's Level B
- 3 the three B.A.T. cars (5, 7 and 9d), one per Turin show 1953–1955 ('The three cars were more than just design studies')
-
2
The three B.A.T. cars Level C Hagerty
- the three B.A.T. cars were brought together for the first time in public
- 3
-
4
Guide: Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 5, 7 and 9 Level B Supercar Nostalgia
- Tipo 1306 dual overhead camshaft inline four cylinder engine
- quoted top speed of 123mph
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