Bertone B.A.T. 11 DK Concept Fights for Breast Cancer in Detroit

Although technically a logical evolution in the B.A.T. 5, B.A.T. 7 and B.A.T. 9 line of Bertone concepts from the 1950s, the B.A.T. 11 DK was born out of a single man's dream. Shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008, the vehicle also became the first privately-owned concept car ever to be displayed at NAIAS.

The story behind the car is truly touching if you have at least a sensitive bone in your body. Dr. Gary Kaberle, a dentist from Michigan commissioned the car in memory of his late wife, who died of breast cancer. Why another B.A.T. (Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica) concept, you ask?

Well, if you believe in legends, it turns out that the 1955 B.A.T. 9 prototype was bought by Dr. Kaberle in his early teens, using money from running a popcorn stand and borrowing some from his grandmother and mother. Almost unbelievable, isn't it?

Time passed and the doctor remained in possession of the oddly-shaped prototype which he had bought as a teenager until disaster struck his family. His wife, Debbie, developed breast cancer and he had to sell the car in order to pay for expensive experimental treatment.

In a weird coincidence, the original B.A.T. concepts designer, Frank Scaglione also died of the gruesome disease. “Scaglione also had cancer and died a few weeks after my wife, so we’re doing some things to dedicate the car to my wife and the Scaglione family, so the 'dk' is my wife’s initials." Dr. Kaberle said in a statement about the car a few years ago.

Although badged as an Alfa Romeo just like the three originals from the 1950s, the new B.A.T. is based on a Maserati chassis and engine. Even so, apart from the badge and the “Alfa triangle” its grey-green color is also reminiscent of past Alfa Romeo models and it was also a favorite of Nuccio Bertone's, the original creator of the B.A.T. line of concepts.