Fiat expresses interest in car designer Bertone

MILAN (Reuters) - Fiat (FIA.MI) has expressed interest in iconic car designer Bertone, which is in special administration, the Italian car maker said on Tuesday. Bertone's car design arm was put in special administration -- which protects a company from creditors rather like U.S. Chapter 11 proceedings -- in 2008. Italian media has reported several offers for the company in recent weeks.

Bertone, which has designed cars for Fiat and Opel, still has over 1,000 employees.

"We have submitted a manifestation of interest," a Fiat spokesman said.

Offers have already been made by former manager of Telecom Italia Giandomenico Rossignolo, by financier Domenico Reviglio and by Lilli Bertone, wife of the founder Nuccio Bertone, Italian media has reported.

(Reporting by Jo Winterbottom; Editing by David Cowell)