Chassis No. 5111650

This one-off Fiat 570 Barchetta marked the debut creation of Nuccio Bertone after assuming control of the family carrozziere from his father, Giovanni Bertone, following the conclusion of WWII. The unique car began life as a 1936 Fiat 500 A "Topolino" Balestra Corta chassis, purchased by the young Bertone with his own funds. Working alongside two mechanics outside of regular business hours, Bertone transformed this humble platform into a striking barchetta that would launch his illustrious coachbuilding career.

Crafted in collaboration with influential designer Luigi Rapi, the barchetta's aluminum bodywork presaged what would become signature elements of post-war Bertone design, including its distinctive "fish mouth" front end treatment. The engine featured a three-bearing crankcase with Turin's Officina Marino providing a specialized cylinder head-a combination that provided competitive performance despite the smaller 570-cc displacement.

On 1 May 1947, entering under famed the Squadra Corse Stanguellini banner, Bertone began his racing career at the age of 33 at the Circuito di Vercelli with a respectable 12th place overall finish. Ten days later, the car secured 11th place overall at the Circuito di Piacenza. While mechanical issues forced retirement at the Circuito di Asti on 18 May, the season continued at the legendary Mille Miglia in June. Paired with co-driver Marcello Xausa, Bertone showed tremendous promise until suspension failure near Florence ended their run. The campaign continued with stronger results, including 5th overall at the Circuito di Forlì in July and 2nd in class at the challenging Aosta-Gran San Bernardo hillclimb in August. Bertone's final appearance in the car came at the Circuito di Novara, securing 5th in class. These consistent performances netted him 4th place in the Italian Drivers' Championship Sport 750 class.

The car's competition career continued to flourish under its second owner, Venetian engineer Carlino Francesconi. He immediately demonstrated the car's potential with strong finishes at both Lido di Venezia and Circuito di Modena in late 1947, claiming 6th and 13th in the Sport 750 class. The following year brought perhaps the car's finest hour at the 1948 Mille Miglia, where Francesconi and mechanic Gino Chinellato achieved an extraordinary 46th overall and 2nd in class, nearing an impressive 90 km/h average speed. Further success followed in the Giro dell'Umbria, where the car recorded a remarkable 111.455 km/h average speed on its way to another 2nd in class finish. The 1948 season concluded with a 43rd overall finish at the Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti.

In 1949, the Fiat was issued new registration, with its coachwork being officially noted as "open," and the engine number updated to reflect the modified Fiat-Marino engine number, 510228-49 (the last two digits indicating the year). All of these changes are recorded in the registration papers for the Venice plate (VE14274). That year, Francesconi and Chinellato returned to the Mille Miglia with the barchetta determined to repeat their impressive result from the previous summer, though this time their campaign was hampered by mechanical problems. Despite these challenges, they persevered to secure 133rd overall and 12th in class. Under subsequent owner Gino Zordan from of Mestre, Venice, the barchetta continued its Mille Miglia legacy in 1950, finishing 108th overall and 12th in class at an average speed of 88.455 km/h, partnered with mechanic Enzo Bortolon. Its competition career concluded with attempts at the Coppa Toscana and Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti in 1950, bringing to a close an impressive chapter the barchetta's history that spanned four consecutive Mille Miglia participations.

In a remarkable full-circle moment, Nuccio Bertone himself rediscovered his first racing car in 1996, promptly initiating a comprehensive restoration at his own carrozzeria. Though he passed away in 1997 before its completion, the car's significance was celebrated at prestigious events including the 2006 Bagatelle Concours d'Elegance in Paris and the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. The barchetta was preserved in the private collection of the Bertone family before passing to the current owner in May 2021.

Today, this four-time Mille Miglia participant presents in exemplary condition, representing the singular creation that launched the career of one of the 20th century's most influential designers. Powered by its correct 570-cc Fiat-Marino engine and impeccably documented with period photography, restoration images, and ASI Certification, it combines exceptional provenance, competition history, design significance, and rarity in a manner virtually unmatched in the collector car world. For the discerning enthusiast seeking a cornerstone piece of post-war Italian motorsport history, this Fiat Bertone barchetta represents an unrepeatable opportunity.