One man's quest to build his dream car
At a show dominated by auto-market gloom, Gary Kaberle's sleek BAT 11 concept vehicle is an inspiring reminder of the passion cars can evoke. What do you think of the BAT 11?
From Brian Lehmer, Nixa, MO Before you denounce this man's efforts as insignificant and the design as "ugly" ask yourself 3 questions:
1. Do I know what a concept car is for?
2. Do I know anything about Bertone?
3. Do I know anything about the Alfa BATs?
Great design, truly significant works, are nearly always controversial. What name has been behind more controversial and cutting edge designs than Bertone? Few if any. Particularly the BAT series. They are controversial because they do not attempt to pander to the interests of the massess. There is an impassioned pureness about Bertone design and this man clearly understands it. This car is every bit a Bertone and every bit an Alfa Romeo. This design deserves all of the accolades it is receiving. It is a work of art no doubt. This concept might well have been one of Guiseppe "Nuccio" Bertone's "wicked children" were he alive today, but where it is controversial, one cannot help but be impressed with the fine execution of Bertone and Alfa style.
From Jay Haigh, Bella Vista, Ar Reading some of the negative comments suggests to me that these are probably the same people that think Budweiser, Miller, and other crappy, quickly brewed American beers are good when in essence no one with taste buds drink this swill.
From jeremy, bristol, tennessee simply fantastic. i thought that the 1950s bats were awesome and this is a fine update to bring them into the 21st century. timeless design. those who cannot appreciate this are the same folks who buy into fads like beanie babies, rubix cubes, and generally follow the crowd into oblivion. this Bat 11 represents passion and the Alfa badge is most appropriate! People, snap out of your complacency and demand innovation!
From Batman, South Florida I am a 46 year old multi-disciplinary designer and I am appalled by comments from those who obviously think trucks and SUVs look good.
Too long gone are the days of refinement and class replaced by tubs, tatoos, and tribal crap.
I venture that to not like this design is to give away how how "basic" you really are.
From Anonymous Looks like the design doesn't include wheels that turn. What's the point of building a car that doesn't work?
From Anonymous Sorry, but we have these guys doing this all the time. Its called the kit car industry. They design fiberglass Ferraris to fit Cavelier frames, Lamborghinis to fit on mustang chassis,etc. and they actually run. A little more research on homemade cars will let you know this is not unusual.
From W.B. Mansfiled, TX NOT pursuing a dream is the real failure!
From James Traverse City MI It's a concept car! It doesn't need to be fully outfitted to drive. That's what "concept" means. As far as some not liking it or thinking it's ugly, everyone is entitled to their opinion (although I bet those who think its ugly don't own anything any "prettier" themselves). Finally, I think it's to be admired that he would sell his prized possesion to fund his wife's cancer treatment and than to go on to design and build this car to promote cancer awareness. How can anyone think this is a failed dream? The dream was to make the car, not to produce and make a profit from it.
From Dean Jones, San Anselmo, Ca. The guy did something with his dreams and passion. I like it. Better than most of us, he got off his butt, and made it happen. He's a hero to the lost American dream, that you can make a difference by yourself if you try…
From john…amery…wi. wow…what a neat concept..that DDS is on sharp dude !
From Billy Greenville, SC Who cares how it looks and whether it runs? While some people are glued to a computer screen, this man dreamed and did something about it. If it never moves a foot, he's still a success in my book.
From BCF, NJ Good story, but not really a full "car", if there's no engine, how do we how it will peform, e.g., acceleration, handling, comfort, etc. Looks are one thing, but performance is an entirely different.
Good Luck
From Anonymous Not sure I'd call this heartwarming story, it shows how many can waste their entire lives pursuing a failed dream.
From Jim Arlington VA Wonderful, heartwarming story. Dopey looking car.
From GB, Lansing, MI This car is emblematic of the great Italian concepts going back 50 years. What a classic retro – and futuristic – look. Timeless design work.
From Nick It is inspirational. I am so glad you made the car. I hope you sell a lot of them.
From John Smith, New Bern, NC So what. What a joke. The Aston Martin DB9 and Ferrari and Lamborgini and SL MB are all superior and they have engines.
From Frank, Atlanta Great Design, and a Great Alfa Badge as well. Of course it looks ugly to folks in the US who have looked at nothing but junk for years. Our industry needs a swift kick, and this is what it could look like.
From Nick, Durham NC I don't know anything about cars, let alone have a passion for them. But this guy's story is touching and inspiring. Auto industry, please learn from this!
From Al, Danbury, Connecticut I like it. It is like a 1:1 scale Hot Wheels. It actually looks like a bat(at rest). I would go with a different color but to each his own. Great job! I hope you get some VC or some real interest in this…then maybe you can quit your day job (no one likes the dentist). Best of luck!
From dale,Balto.,Md. Great story,Great courage,possibly great car. Somebody/company help this man B 4 it goes the way of the "TUCKER".
From Charlie, Oklahoma City, OK The last thing we need right now is a fugly car designed by a dentist. It's great that he was able to design it and have it made, but I'm sure that futuristic cars are the last thing people are thinking about. People design and build their own cars a lot. Why did everyone make such a big deal out of this guy? Because he made it into the Detroit show? I'm sure anybody could pay enough money to do that. Bah!
From Jim, Tiskilwa, IL No engine, no systems! What a lot of fuss about a toy car!
From Edward E. Brown II Very interesting design. When I first saw it, the old theme from the Bat Man TV show started playing in my mind. lol
This car would look VERY cool in Ferrari red and black leather interior. :-)
From Bill Oliver, California Hooray for following your passion – and a really wonderfully sweet story, to boot.
In this world of mediocre US auto management, the good Doctor is to be applauded.
Congratulations!
From CP, Holland, Europe That is one, ugly car! I wouldn't want to be found dead in that thing….Sorry!
From Tim, Niles, Michigan Way cool, in a world where most cars look like the one next to it… the BAT has finally brought back the word "cool" when describing a car.
From Chad, Indianapolis, In Wow
I would love to own this car. In my opinion we need a car that kicks butt and takes names. If only the big companies would or could create a car like this at a price point of say under 10,000. Then the US auto industry would be saved.
50 a year? They sold more Edsels than that. Of course, Edsel was a good car, just ugly.