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Alfa Romeo 2600 Cabriolet Studionove by Boneschi

The Alfa Romeo 2600 Cabriolet Studionove by Carrozzeria Boneschi represents a bold milestone in automotive design, marking the culmination of a distinctive collaboration between the famed coachbuilder and the industrial designer Rodolfo Bonetto.

This partnership, which began in 1960, produced a series of futuristic concept cars that were defined by the linea tesa design language—a style characterized by sharp, angular lines and a minimalist, yet expressive, aesthetic. The 2600 Cabriolet Studionove, as the ninth car in this series, stands out as a testament to innovation and creative courage in automotive design. The name Studionove, which appears as a badge on the rear flanks, reflects the vehicle’s place in this distinctive lineage.

True to the linea tesa philosophy, the Alfa Romeo 2600 Cabriolet Studionove embraces a unique approach to automotive form. It deviates from the traditional design conventions of the time, most notably by the absence of the iconic Alfa Romeo scudetto (the trademark shield) on the front grille, an element that had long been a hallmark of the brand. Instead, the car features a sleek and modern front end that aligns more closely with the minimalist aesthetics of the 1960s and 70s.

The bodywork of the Studionove is defined by sharp, boxy lines that were considered unconventional for the era. These angular elements, though striking, foreshadowed the design trends that would come to dominate the automotive landscape in the 1970s and 80s, such as the boxier shapes and angular lines seen in vehicles from brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and others during the following decades.

Despite its avant-garde appearance, the Alfa Romeo 2600 Cabriolet Studionove also retains a sense of elegance and refinement, blending the traditional luxury of the Alfa Romeo brand with Bonetto’s forward-thinking design principles. The vehicle serves as both a piece of automotive history and a glimpse into the future, with its bold aesthetics influencing subsequent generations of car design. Its daring visual approach and innovative engineering make it a rare and highly regarded example of mid-century automotive artistry.