The first prototype of the trio formed together with the Aspid and Asgard to celebrate 20 years of Italdesign<\/p>\n
The Aztec, introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1989, met with exceptional acclaim by the press and public.<\/strong><\/p>\n The original, innovative, concept heralded the approach that was to typify the 1990s:<\/p>\n rediscovery of a classic, recreational, collector’s item, the return of open-top sports cars, roadsters, standard-production coup\u00e9s, in other words the satisfaction of owning and showing off a product that was all about image. <\/p>\n The Aztec embodied the desire for a sculpted rather than a designed shape<\/strong>: its smooth metal is punctuated by graphic motifs, and a reworked mechanical appearance with the engine exposed and streamlined rear wheels. In a departure from conventional open-topped sports cars, the passenger compartment is divided into two symmetrical portions<\/strong>: the passenger also has a steering wheel that is actually a control console and not used for steering.<\/p>\n Control panels<\/strong> located on both side panels are accessible by entering appropriate codes. These provide information on engine oil level<\/strong>, coolant<\/strong>, brake fluid<\/strong> and a removable temperature gauge<\/strong>. Access to the car is by opening the doors as usual and lifting parts of the cockpit upward.<\/p>\n Trivia<\/strong><\/p>\n The Aztec’s futuristic shape <\/strong>persuaded the US director Roger Corman<\/strong> to choose the car to start in a science-fiction horror film<\/strong> set in the Los Angeles of 2031, Frankenstein Unbound <\/em>(1990). Together with the Machimoto and BMW NAzca C2, the Aztec also appeared in the Italian film A spasso nel tempo<\/em> by Carlo Vanzina in 1996.<\/p>\n Another Trivia is hidden in the Frankenstein Unbound<\/em> clip you can see: the bycicle the kids are burying at the end of the clip is actually the Bridgestone Blouson<\/strong> Giugiaro designed in 1985.<\/p>\n In this clip from Frankenstin Unbound <\/em>the Aztec is visible at minute 6:16<\/p>\n
\nA hydraulic jack<\/strong> and a 12 V power point<\/strong> are also located on the right side. <\/strong>
\nA removable electric screwdriver<\/strong>, an electric torch<\/strong>, a compressor<\/strong> for inflating tires and a fire extinguisher<\/strong> are housed on the left hand side. <\/strong><\/p>\n