Since I saw my very first Bertone, I’ve wanted one. I don’t know why. Perhaps the distinctive raked roof-line, or the hand-crafted leather interior, but most definitely not the engine (a.k.a., the PeRVerted V-6, the B27F with oil / cam issues). These cars always make me stop and take a second look if even to verify that yes, that was a Bertone. I knew eventually I would be a member of the exclusive club. As a reference point: there were only 6,622 262c Coupes made during the entire run from 1977 to 1981, and only 1,670 made for the 1978 model year.
How I almost got divorced…
There are times when I get so focused on something that I’ll get tunnel vision and will do almost anything to achieve my desired result. My desired result was a Bertone. One day, while perusing the Swedish Bricks latest mail digest I spied a message from another Tucsonan who happened to have a silver body/black vinyl roof 1978 Bertone up for sale, cheap. I about had a heart attack. After firing off a message to the seller I started to think ways to get cash to pay for it and where I was going to store it. The ‘where’ was easier than the ‘how.’ I was originally going to store it at my uncle’s place but he had recently bought another car and was using the space but the decded to put it into my garage. I was able to work something out and got the car. Its been sitting in my garage now for over a year and a half. My nephew always wants to see ‘the broken Volvo’ every time he visits. (On a personal note, this little fiasco taught me that always, always, make sure the wife knows about major purchases and that she has meaningful input. Your marriage and your well-being depend on it.)
Current Status
Sad to say, this vehicle is not running or anywhere near running. It has no hood and a badly deteriorated padded vinyl top. When I first got it it had a gold fender, white hood and did not have a valence panel (the piece of metal between the bumper and the radiator support) or a fender liner for the gold fender. I got rid of the white hood and have replaced the gold fender for a silver fender. My friend Roy has a flat hood I’m going to eventually install. I’d thought of installing the quad lights on it but have instead decided to go with the single rounds for that retro look (and besides, I can get two H4 lamps cheaper than four). I will be stripping the vinyl roof and going to just paint, vinyl just does not last in Arizona and besides, its an artifact of the seventies, just not my style. I’ve never started the engine so I don’t know what the status is with that – who know’s if it’ll run. I do know that it turns over since I have been able to turn it over with a battery. If I can get it to run with the K-Jet, great; I’ll let it run until I can get parts for a MegaSquirt conversion.
The interior is in pretty decent shape and fairly complete. The door panels were off when I got it, and still are, but the leather was in great shape. The front seats need leather conditioner. The top of the rear seat needs to be re-covered, but I managed to find another trashed 262c that I managed to strip some leather that was in decent shape. The leather covering of the A-pillars needs to be replaced, as does the leather on the rear view mirror trim.
What it will look like
Here are some pictures of another 262c that is very good condition. Same color even, black. I do have some BMW seats that will be installed instead of the stock Bertone seats.
Future Mods:
- MegaSquirt current B27F, or
- Replace the B27F with a MegaSquirted B2xxFT
- Install sport/lowering springs
- Move the power window switches to the doors (need GL door pulls, which I have)
- Install R-Sport gauges (I have a set)
- Add a lip spoiler to the trunk
- Add side-skirts and a rear vanity cover