Originally made for Alfa Romeo by Bertone, the (real) Carabo was built atop a chassis donated by Alfa's 33 Stradale. Packing a 230-horsepower V8, it debuted at the 1968 Paris Motor Show. But this isn't it.
Don't worry, this isn't some tacky, Fiero-based kit car, either. The guy behind this replica wanted to purchase the original from Bertone (so the ad says) but the design firm wasn't willing to part with the masterpiece, so he decided to say to hell with that and have his own built...by Sam Foose. For those who just got out of bed, that would be Chip Foose's father.
This Carabo is built on a De Tomaso Pantera platform and uses its Ford-supplied power train, which means under that killer fiberglass body resides a 351 Cleveland V8 hooked to a 5-speed.
Here's where it gets fun: the seller says it's purely a driving car that's "too fast to handle", makes do without radio or air conditioning, and has fixed windows. Sounds terrible in a scary-awesome way.
Just to keep it as retro-futuristic as possible, it's even got power Lambo-style doors that open with hidden switches inside and out.
Said to have cost $200,000 in 1972, this Carabo is a beautiful imitation and one which definitely lives up to the age old adage about flattery.
I just wish it were wearing the concept's original green hue and black lower cladding. A roof would be nice, too.
By Phil Alex
Link: eBay
Original Bertone Alfa Romeo Carabo
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Bertone Alfa Romeo Carabo Replica
11 Comments:
wow - you could drive under a truck in that thing. . . under boom gates, under fences...
It's nice, but if you compare the first pics of each, the original looks better proportioned with it's higher roof.
That said, I like the idea of building your own version of a concept you can't have.
Its amazing how much that looks exactly like the old Vector W8 twin turbo I guess this where Vector got their inspiration from
The front bumper is made to break some legs/shins.
Impressive cripple machine
not my thing, but interesting just the same :)
a true oddity!
Paging Mr Foose... Mr Sam Foose... would Mr Sam Foose please come forward & state if he built this carbortion?
That is all...
I like most Foose designs and respect their talent, but this repro simply isn't as aesthetically pleasing as the original. Nice try though.
I first saw the Carabo in a copy of Life magazine that my dad had saved (it commemorated the 1969 moon landing). I am till; today, just as blown away by this design as I was then. Ranks as one of my top 5 all-time fave designs (along w the Bizzarini 5300 GT Stradale, Lambo Miura P400S, Alfa Tipo 33 Stradale and Ferrari 206S).
I love the idea of the remake ... based on a Pantera it has to be pretty hairy ride indeed! But the lack of a roof throws the original design off, I dont like it as well.
Why would it be a "tacky" fiero build.
Regardless of how it's built, you can build it so NO ONE ON EARTH would know it's authenticity. The quality of work is in the hands of the man/men who are building it.
Some people just prefer to save money.
ANYTHING built on a Fiero is the very definition of "Tacky"........ It would be embarrasing just to be seen near a kit car as somebody might assume that you're the owner.
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