This Unique Art Work On Wheels Will Be Auctioned In Abu Dhabi

Italdesign Aztec. (Doc. Bonhams)

JAKARTA - At the Bonhams "On the Grid" auction in Abu Dhabi this weekend, a rare art car will be the center of attention.

It was the Aztec Ital design that will be auctioned off, an open sports car with a radical design even ahead of its time being unveiled for the first time on the 1988 Turin Motor Show. There were only 20 units made at the time, and one of them would belong to a new owner after going through the auction process.

Reporting from Carbuzz, November 20, Aztec was designed by the design maestro of Giorgietto Giugiaro. This car was created as one of three cars showing off to celebrate Italdesign's 20th birthday. Well, judging from the car design, it looks like it comes from another planet.

Aztecs improved every detail of automotive design in its time, such as pop-up headlights, spur forms, closed rear wheels, and unusual doors. Not only that, but Aztecs are also equipped with the rear wing of carbon fibers, double canopy of glass, and Canonica modular wheels according to their manufacturing era.

"When the Aztec prototype was exhibited at the Turin Motor Show in 1988, I had difficulty imagining that it would be a real car. Therefore, it was satisfying that Aztec is now completely roadworthy and not just static design exercises," said Giugiaro.

This soon to be auctioned is coated with space-era-style silver paints, which contrasts with striking red cabins. Speaking of the cabin, Aztec doors can be opened conventionally, but to enter, they must lift certain parts from the cockpit upward. The cabin is divided into two symmetric parts, with the passenger side equipped with a strange-shaped steering wheel that serves as a control console not for steering. Passengers on both sides can communicate via interkom.

Then, access to the control panel on both sides needs to enter certain codes containing information about machine oil levels, cooling, brake liquids, and removable temperature measurements.

Interestingly, this car was only used 7700 km ago with Giorgetto Giugiaro's signature on the right. In addition to slightly defects in the glass, the seller's claim states that this showy car is always well cared for.

Aztecs are not just concept cars or exhibitions, but are legal to drive on highways, processed by the Audi Motoren-Technik-Mayer (MTM) tuner, and one of the few homologated production vehicles made by Japanese industryist Mario Myakawa, after buying copyright for the car.

Aztec's ITaldesign is powered by a five-cylindrical turbo engine, 20 valves, which is the progenitor of Audi A5 Coupe and Audi Quattro machines, which are capable of generating up to 250 dk of power. For manual transmission taken from other legendary cars, Lancia Delta Integrale. This car has a body of aluminum, carbon fiber, andEVillar over the steel frame.

Bonhams estimates that Aztec will sell for about $220,000 at auction on November 25, 2023.