The Turin bankruptcy court has ruled and has given back to Lilli Bertone control of the Italian design house that bears her name. 74-year-old Bertone again now owns the Bertone trademark as well as patents and historical files covering the company’s 97 years of activity.

The Bertone design house had gained fame for having styled a range of cars that include the Alfa Romeo Giulia GT, Citroen XM and the Lamborghini Miura. The house also had a manufacturing arm that built the Opel/Vauxhall Astra cabriolet until 2005. After the death of Lilli Bertone’s husband, Nuccio, in 1997, Bertone’s fortunes declined. In February 2008, Bertone’s manufacturing arm, Carrozzeria Bertone, entered bankruptcy protection. Fiat S.p.A. purchased Bertone’s factory near Turin last August. There are plans to build up to 50,000 units yearly of two Chrysler-based vehicles for sale in Europe in this factory beginning late 2011.

[via autonews - sub. required]

Tags: bertone, car news, lili bertone regains control

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