The BAT11 DK simply shouldn’t even exist.
Dr. Gary Kaberle, as a teenager, fell in love with a slightly beaten up one-of-a-kind Italian sports car called the BAT9. It was 60 miles from his hometown of Evart, Michigan, and as far away from home as he had ever been. Dr. Kaberle scraped together his savings from making $1.15 an hour at a popcorn stand right outside his parent’s gift shop. And with the help of $500 each from his grandmother and mother to make up the difference he purchased the BAT9 in 1963. Unfortunately his father and grandmother died from cancer shortly after.
While in high school, just 17 years old, Dr. Kaberle corresponded with Nuccio Bertone of Torino, Italy, maker of the Lamborghini Countach, about the BAT9 (such a great networker at an early age). This was quite something, because Dr. Kaberle didn’t speak Italian, and Mr. Bertone did not speak any English! (an interpreter acted as a go-between)…
In 1976 Dr. Kaberle met his wife, Debbie Carlson, a singer with an all-girls group called the Honeybees. In 1989 Debbie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer – diagnosed with only six months to live. To pay for an experimental chemotherapy treatment, Dr. Kaberle sold his beloved one-off collectible BAT9 for what was estimated to be over a million dollars, in hopes of saving his beloved Debbie. Well, that six months turned to one year. And then to two. And then to four years. But then she passed away.
Created Tuscan Green Color, there are cameras but no mirrors
Time passed. Dr. Kaberle thought about the BAT9, and about all of the people that he had lost to cancer. The BAT9 was no longer his, and it would take millions to repurchase it, but could a BAT11 be created as a way to draw attention to cancer? To honor his beloved Debbie, and to help find a cure and to help others with the disease? With an incredible amount of time and hard work, he would give it a shot. As I am limited by story length, you can hear the rest of the story this weekend, at Buffalo’s Automobile Museum, as well as about a lot of unbelievable details about this one-of-a-kind car. I do promise that you will hear an incredible story about how he overcame three cancer deaths to close members in his family, how to remain positive by making the best out of a negative situation, and how one man can make a difference and save lives. What a great positive story!
Buffalo’s automobile museum, the Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum, is located right here in downtown Buffalo, at 201 Seneca Street, at the corner of Seneca and Michigan Avenue. If you are at the famous Chef’s Restaurant, it is less than two blocks west, going towards Main Street. The BAT11 DK can be viewed there this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at regular museum admission prices. There will be a meet and greet dinner with Dr. Kaberle Saturday night from 5 to 9 PM. For $25 dinner is included, cash bar, and full Saturday admission.
Beauty, Love, Faith, Hope and Survival in the fight against cancer
This is a unique opportunity to hear the story from the man with a dream, Dr. Kaberle. The American Cancer Society, Western New York Region, is a co-sponsor of the event. Their Director of their Distinguished Events, Kelli Kaberle-Cravey, is Dr. Kaberle’s daughter. The Kaberle family is debuting the BAT11 DK here in Buffalo as a symbol of Beauty, Love, Faith, Hope and Survival in the fight against cancer.
What does BAT11 DK mean?
BAT stand for Berlina Aero dynamical Technica (and not from the Batman, as some of my buds believe). These automobiles were built by Nuccio Bertone of Torino, Italy, designed by Franco Scaglione for Bertone, and built by Stile Bertone (Bertone Style i.e. Design Company in Italian) in Caprie, Italy. Scaglione is credited as being one of the premier aerodynamic stylists in automobile history. The BAT5 was built in 1953, the BAT7 in 1954, and the BAT9 in 1955. So the next in the series would be numbered as the next odd BAT-number, BAT11. Specifically the BAT11 DK. The DK is in memory of Debbie Kaberle, her pink initials are on the side of the car.
Geneva, LA, Detroit, New York City, and now Buffalo
The BAT11 was a hit at the Geneva Switzerland Auto Show last year, making the front page of the Automotive News’ show coverage. It was declared Concept Car of the Year by Sky Motoring. Then before the Los Angeles International Auto Show the BAT11 stayed in Jay Leno’s garage for a few days. (Kelli Kaberle-Cravey used to work with Jay Leno, Dick Clark, as well as on MTV’s Punk’d with Ashton Kutcher). At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past January it was the only time an individual’s car was allowed on the main floor of the show. At the just completed New York International Auto Show in Manhattan the BAT11 was a big hit, at the Alfa Romeo booth on the North Concourse. They made announcements by megaphone and would not allow the BAT11 to leave the floor unless it was covered up, there was so much overwhelming interest in it!
And so, after Geneva, LA, Detroit and New York, the BAT11 DK makes its first and only visit to Buffalo this weekend. Enjoy it while you can.