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1980 BERTONE Lamborghini Athon

Lamborghini Athon - Bertone design you can't buy, Why?
Because only one has been made in 1980.

The car which is fully functional has been test driven for over 40,000 km (25,000 miles).

BRETONE Athon interior
BERTONE Athon interior

The Lamborghini Athon was not just a concept car designed by Bertone Studio for Lamborghini, but also a fully functional pre-production prototype.

It was presented for the first time at the 1980 Turin Motor Show, the Lamborghini Athon shared the mechanicals with the 1974 BERTONE Bravo and was intended to be a top-less two-seater for "open air" motoring.

It featured a 3-liter transverse mid-mounted 90° V-8 DOHC engine that produced 260 bhp @ 7,500 PRM and was mated to a five-speed gearbox.

The car never made it into production, in large part because of the Lamborghini's financial problems at that time.

This particular vehicle was acquired by BERTONE after it was retired from "durability testing" and was part of the BERTONE Museum Collection until 2011.

The car was sold during auction in May 2011 which was part of Bertone Museum asset liquidation ordered by Italian Bankruptcy court.

BERTONE Athon

This Lamborghini Athon was estimated to have an auction price value of around US$213,000 to US$312,000 by RM Auctions.

How much did it sell for?
€347,200 (US$487,000)

Following Products were installed in 1980:

SynLube™ "Original Syn!" Motor Oil SAE 5W-50
- used in the 3 L V-8 engine
SynLube™ SAE 70W-90 Gear Oil
- used in the 5 Speed Transaxle
SynLube™ Grease
- used in the CV Joints
- used in the shift link joints
- used in the throttle links and cable
- used in the suspension ball joints
SynLube™ Long-Life DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid
- used in the Brake System
- used in the hydraulic clutch assist

Vehicle Data

ENGINE

Type	90° Aluminum L240 V8 Transverse, Mid-Mounted DOHC per bank
Valves	2 per cylinder
Bore/Stroke	86mm x 64.5mm
Capacity	2,996cc
Carburation	4 Twin-throat Webers 40 DCNF
Max power	260bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque	237 ft/lbs @ 4,000rpm
Compression	10:1

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox	5-speed + reverse All-Synchromesh
Axle Ratio	14/35
Clutch	Single dry plate hydraulically assisted

STRUCTURE

Chassis	Integral chassis/body
Body	Steel
Builder	Bertone
Suspension	Independent, coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers
Brakes	Girling ventilated discs
Wheels	Campagnolo cast magnesium Front: 15" x 8" Rear: 15" x 11"
Front Tires	195/50 VR 15 Michelin
Rear Tires	275/40 VR 15 Michelin

MEASUREMENTS

Overall Length	3775 mm	147.2 in
Overall Width	1900 mm	74.1 in
Overall Height	1050 mm	41.0 in
Wheelbase	2275 mm	88.7 in
Front Track	1488 mm	58.0 in
Rear Track	1555 mm	60.6 in
Weight	1085 kg	2390 lbs
Fuel Tank	80 L	21 gal

PERFORMANCE

Top speed	275 km/h (170 mph)
Acceleration	0-60 mph in 7.3 sec

Made in USA SynLube™ Lube‑4‑Life^® products are 100% Synthetic non-petroleum colloidal lubricants.

Yet another Prototype vehicle proves that Permanent non-petroleum SynLube™ Lube‑4‑Life^® Functional Fluids are a viable alternative to conventional petroleum based fluids, which must be periodically and frequently changed to maintain vehicle in a good operating condition.