www.QV500.com - Lamborghini Silhouette Part 2: P300 Bertone Athon
 
Carrozzeria Bertone were responsible for the only concept vehicle to be built around the chassis and mechanical components of Lamborghini's P300 Silhouette. Unveiled at the 1980 Turin Salon, the Athon played an important role in turning Lamborghini’s desperate fortunes around. A futuristic roadster, it was a pure two seater with no provision for a roof of any kind, this configuration undoubtedly influencing Bertone’s choice of name. Translated from Egyptian, Athon means ‘Hymn from the Sun’ and the arrival of this car seemed to kick-start Lamborghini's fortunes under the ownership of Patrick Mimram.
   
Hardly the most aesthetically pleasing Bertone-bodied Lamborghini, the Athon was fully operational although the Sant’ Agata firms dire financial position dictated it would never be put into production. Totally unique, the Athon’s bodywork featured many innovative design features, not least its combination of straight lines and chunky details although the only components that went on to see service in the Silhouette’s successor (the Jalpa) were five-bolt flat face Campagnolo alloy wheels.