Prototipo Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 9

This was a 2005 Realistix First Edition.

It is an accurate reproduction of the third and most conventional of Alfa Romeo's three "B.A.T." concept cars of the early 1950s. The name "B.A.T." had nothing to do with the cars' bat-like appearance, but stood for "Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica"; Italian for "Technical Aerodynamic Coupé". The radical B.A.T. 5 appeared at the Turin Auto Show in 1953, followed in '54 by the B.A.T 7 and in '55 by this model. Over those three years, the cars had their curved UFO-like fins reduced in size, lost side and front air scoops and started to look like a practical if futuristic sports coupé. However, the B.A.T. series never led to a production model. It is thought that the split rear window of the classic Corvette Stingray may have been inspired by that of the B.A.T. 9.

The Hot Wheels version reproduces the original's silver finish and even such details as the streamlined "toenail" headlight covers. Even today it looks more like Roswell than Turin...