The company began bankruptcy proceedings after mounting debts forced it to lay off staff. CEO Marco Filippa has left, and it is reported in much of the motoring press that employees have not been paid wages since November 2013.
it is expected that a court hearing at the end of Apri will announce either the company’s closure or the name of a suitable buyer. At present a buyer seems unlikely, but there are rumours that a Turkish company is interested in acquiring the name.
As part of their centenary celebrations in 2012, they built the Ferrari-based Nuccio in honour of company founder Nuccio Bertone who died in 1997. Since his death the company has struggled under the control of his widow, Lilli, selling its manufacturing facilities to Fiat in 2009 and auctioning such family jewels as the Stratos Zero and Lamborghini Marzal concept cars to stave off bankruptcy
Read more about Bertone's Nuccio in the current issue of OCTANE magazine available now.
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Details: 1919 3054cc Belsize 15/20HP Open Tourer Reg.
No. SV 9204 Chassis No. 12072 Belsize Motors of Manchester was founded
in 1901 by Marshall & Co. and took its name from their Belsize works
where they had produced bicycles, in the early years they were a major
vehicle manufacturer with 1200 employees producing fire engines,
commercial vehicles, taxis and cars. The receiver took control of the
business in 1923 and it eventually ceased trading in 1923. This unusual
and rare example is likely to be a unique survivor probably produced as a
demonstrator for the new 1920 model, it is believed to be the car
featured in an original Belsize advert as well as being featured in 'The
Motor' in 1919 and again in 1920 when it was tested over a 75 mile tour
of North Wales. Copies of these reports are held in the history file.
Records appear to indicate that no cars were produced between 1918 and
1919 which could explain why this is the only car featured in the
motoring press of the time. The fabulous and meticulously maintained
history file contains two original logbooks revealing that the 1919 car
was first registered CL 450 to Mr Harry Saunders, The Bungalow,
Waterworks Road, Norwich. The logbooks chronicle the ownership between
new and 1966 whilst a wonderful and highly detailed chronology of
ownership has been compiled in the file. One of the more interesting
ownerships occurred in 1966 when the Belsize was purchased by the owner
of Whitaker Chocolatiers, Skipton, where it was used for advertising
purposes having been painted chocolate brown, this was the first
ownership outside Norfolk. Now presented for sale in green with
deep-brown buttoned leather upholstery, full weather equipment including
the hood and side windows with a single side-mounted spare wheel and
the correct original brass lamps and fittings. Stated to be a fine
running and driving car with a full run of MOT's from current back to
1988, receipts for rebuilding the magneto and very recently, the Autovac
are on file. An Edwardian to be cherished as a unique survivor with the
most immaculate provenance and surely worthy of the most discerning of
collectors. V5C documentation supplied. Estimate £20,000 - £25,000
Details: 1960 948cc Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 Reg. No.
SPN 852 Chassis No. AN5/45422 Engine No. 9C-U-H/45179 Finished in Old
English White with a red interior this gleaming example of the 'Frog
Eye' has been in the current lady owners possession since 2006. During
that time much expense has been lavished upon it including an engine
rebuild with new clutch, reground crank, new pistons, fast road cam and
followers, unleaded conversion, new valves and springs, 2,000 miles have
been covered since. The rest of the car has also been treated to a new
fuel tank, skimmed drums, new brake linings and slave cylinders, new
wheel bearings all round and Hardy Spicer bearings. The front suspension
has been rebuilt along with the calipers, master cylinder and stainless
steel brake pipes all round. On inspection the Sprite started readily
from cold and a brisk drive through country lanes followed with a good
turn of speed and fine handling evident. In the current ownership and
previously the car has been extensively rallied, a fine collection of
plaques and participation medals are supplied along with a good history
file which chronicles ownership from 1992 onwards with many receipts and
invoices, a run of MOT's and tax discs from 1992 to present and that
all important Heritage Certificate confirming correct engine and chassis
numbers. The vendor informs us that the Frog Eye will cruise very
comfortably at 60mph and has been a very reliable car with no known
faults, certainly this is a car that's always very pleased to see you
and should prove a very sound investment that's a lot of fun. V5
documentation supplied along with current MOT valid until August 2014.
Purchasers should note that the car was recorded as a Cat C (damaged but
repairable) insurance loss in 2000. Estimate £10,000 - £12,000
