Alfa Romeo Carabo at Larusmiani Milan

OPEN YOURSELF TO MERAVIGLIA

As the second half of April marked another edition the world-famous Milan Design Week, the exhibitors from the capital of fashion were trying to outdo each other in finding ways to attract the spotlights. One of the most successful attempt was a collaboration of the historic fashion brand Larusmiani and Alfa Romeo Museo Storico. Is there a better way to showcase design as such than putting a one-off concept vehicle on display in the heart of the illustrious Montenapoleone district? Hardly.

For the automotive world it worked like magnet. Photographers and enthusiasts embarked on their trips to admire one of the most famous wedge-designs ever. In spite of the very same car being on display almost all the time in Alfa Romeo’s Museum in Arese, Larusmiani’s brand new boutique provided with an astounding, extraordinary background. I could not resist it either. After being greeted by Venus starring in one of the commercials at the Copenhagen Airport I said ciao! to the Scandinavian coldness and opened myself to meraviglia.

GREEN BEETLE MAKING FOR THE ULTIMATE WEDGE

After a short walk from Milano Centrale my anticipation peaked. More than six years from our first encounter I was about to have an even closer tête-à-tête with this unique automobile. Alfa Romeo Carabo, as most of you must have guessed by now, was a concept penned by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini, for the 1968 Paris Auto Show. 55 years later, it still shocks the audience with its extraordinaire.

This one-off drew its name and lots of design inspiration from a beetle called carabus auratus and when inspected closely, it really stayed close to its counterpart in nature. The car is painted in an iridescent green colour reflecting sunrays just like the insect’s chitin shell, whilst Carabo’s windows mirror the bug’s golden glow. Staying connected to his original influence, Marcello Gandini did not forget to draw a timeless, groundbreaking lines which laid down a foundation for many legendary designs to come.

Carabo is the archetypal wedge car, yet drawing an astounding amount of inspiration from nature!

Take the very first and most obvious feature – its overall wedge shape. All of a sudden one realises it was Carabo, which foreran Lancia Stratos Zero, the legendary Countach or slightly less popular in the public opinion Ferrari 308 and 208 GT4 Dino (wonderful design, if you ask me). Next in line are the scissor doors. Have they not had a proper test in the exotic Alfa Romeo, would they then make an appearance in the iconic Countach, being then passed onto generations of Lamborghini supercars to this day? If you investigate closer you will find many more such gems on a detail level – the deep steering wheel or louvre headlights have all had its beginnings right here.

What impressed me the most, however, was how consistent Carabo’s design is. From its very sharp nose all the way to the vertical rear, Gandini stayed true to his signature sharp lines, even brutal at times. The air-intakes in front of majestic rear wheel, the black engine cover or the chequered tail-plate featuring the Carabo emblem (in the shape of the car, how amazing is that?!) prove how mature and thought-through his proposal was.

ONE OF THE GANDINI’S MASTERPIECES, FUELLED BY CHANCE

Seeing now how big an imprint did the Carabo leave on the design and coachbuilding world it might be hard to believe it originated from… Alfa Romeo’s troubles. Coincidentally, what led to such an incredible design story was the Arese’s factory difficulties in selling the ridiculously expensive Tipo 33 Stradale. The abundance of the model resulted in five cars being passed to Italian coachbuilders – two ended at Pininfarina, one at Italdesign and two at Bertone.

Chassis 75033.109 was then converted into the green beauty, still keeping the heart of the racing beast. Powered by a centrally mounted, 2.0-litre V8 generating 230HP when revved up to a staggering 8800 rpms, Carabo could reach the top speed of 250km/h – “slightly” faster than carabus auratus. Such a performance should not come as a surprise to anyone. The wedge shape was just 99cm tall and weighed in at 700kg. Unfortunately, few could have experienced it - this Alfa Romeo never came into production and belongs to the FCA Heritage collection.

PREMIERE OF THE NEW LARUSMIANI BOUTIQUE

It was not only Gandini at Bertone who was consistent in his design. Larusmiani did a great job by showcasing the legend in the most flattering and exciting way – both during the day and at night. Carabo was displayed in the Italian brand’s new flagship store, featuring a permanent automotive display - and not by chance! Guglielmo Miani, who leads the family brand is a true automotive enthusiast, responsible also for an already well-established Fuori Concorso concept.

Larusmiani’s opening of the highly anticipated boutique in Via Verri 10 coincided with the start of the Design Week and proved it was one well worth waiting for. Born was a cosy place, which embraces the heritage of handcrafting, whist simultaneously saluting to innovation and modern qualities. Finished with fashionable cobalt blue accents store hides countless gems – not only related to fashion but also to automotive, obviously. Have you spotted the Miura Book, yet?

To commemorate the presence of the Alfa Romeo Carabo, Larusmiani produced a special T-shirt, a colour matching keychain made out of alligator skin as well as a hand-painted porcelain pocket emptier. As the chances of ever owning this one-off concept are rather slim, those might be the only chances of bringing home a bespoke memorabilia related to it.

EMBRACING THE MONTENAPOLEONE VIBES

After a few hours spent with Carabo during the day and in the evening I had decided to embrace the vibes that resonated in the Montenapoleone district and took a stroll to one of the best pizzerias and bars in Milan I have heard of. Dry Milano did not disappoint and the napoletana served with a glass of white wine turned out to be a cherry on top of my 36-hour stay in the capital of design.

I spent the rest of the evening walking the neighbouring streets, listening to the buzzing chatter of local pubs, admiring simply magical sunset bathing the surrounding architecture, picturesque as always. As one of the street arts said - “I found my love in Milan”… once again, and it was Milan itself.