Canadian Supercar, the Bernardi

 This is a promotional pamphlet for the next great Canadian Supercar, the Fortvac Bernardi, produced in the early 1980s. Despite the introduction and failure of exotic car startups like the Bricklin and Delorean, and the number of kit cars available at the time, founder Richard Fortier developed and built this car in Quebec. He took a different route than the others in that he started with his own steel tube chassis and actually put the car through all of the rigors of official safety testing and gained the Canadian DOT's seal of approval.  For the body, instead of starting from scratch, he used a kit car body already in production and sold under several names, including the Cimbria or Sterling. The Bernardi company brochure boasts of a long process of "redesigning an existing body" in which the basic (and attractive) lines of the Cimbria SS were preserved, but the car's wheelbase and width were stretched a little and extensive ground effects were added. Apparently the interiors were well appointed and appropriate to the exotic car status. Various engines were used, from a V6 to the Olds 455ci. 

Apparently there was a total of 18 cars made, only 5 or 6 are accounted for. Information is sketchy and scattered for this rarity, but this seems to be as close to the source as I could find. 

"I am the son of the creator of this car which will seek so many answers from you. My father, the creator of this car `` La Bernardi '' is called Richard Fotier and yes we are a native of St-Henri de Levis on the South Shore of Quebec where this car was built. Where does the name Bernardi come from? not from St-Bernard lol but from Bernard one of my father's friends who kindly financed the project. The car was completely handmade in St-Henri in my father's warehouse, the car is fiberglass and it came with 4 original Corvette disc brakes, the frame was completely handmade as well as the benches and the rest of the interior and no, they do not come from a Fiero as mentioned in other, moreover the original wheels its forge in 2 pieces and yes it came with the basic v6 or the 455. It is far from being comparable to what is done today in 2007 but for the 80s coming from a Quebecois creator who has practically done everything with these hands I think it's still rather impressive. If ever they interest you to see more photos or even the Bernardi leaflets you just have to mention it and I will put them on the forum."

thanks, Rolf!

Souce?

Below is one of the Cimbria kit car variations. This was intended to be assembled to a VW Beetle chassis. It was also the photo model used for a kit car supply house. Definitely one of the better-looking kit cars.

 Oh no! Looking online for more Bernardi pictures... Lifetime imprisonment I say...