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The Obsession
The 1993 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance at Rochester, Michigan. The Italian Bizzarrini was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The car sports an alloy body and a 327 cubic inch Corvette V-8 engine producing 365 horsepower. There are actually three gas tanks, two 7.5 gallon tanks behind the rocker panels and a 20 gallon tank behind the seat, for 35 gallon total fuel capacity. All of my classic car photos can be found here: Car Collections Press L for a larger image on black.
The Obsession
It might not even be Christmas yet – but we cannot wait for the historic racing season to start again. And could there be a better race car for the return to the track than this Bizzarrini P538 Spider, one of Giotto Bizzarrini's most stunning creations? We certainly don't think so!
FAB WHEELS DIGEST (F.W.D.): Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder (1967-68)
The Obsession
The De Tomaso Vallelunga was the first production car made by De Tomaso - a company that up until 1962 had only produced racing cars for Formula Junior,
Iso Grifo A3C #BO207(Bizzarini)
Bizzarini Iso Grifo A3/C (1965) Engine 5354cc V8 Chevrolet 365bhp Production 22 Car No.42 driven by Alex Bell and Nick Wigley Road Registered GBD 442 C Giotto Bizzarini had worked with Alfa Romeo and Ferrari on development of new models. Forming his own company, Autostar, in 1962 he worked with Renzo Rivolta producing the Iso Rivolta and the Iso Grifo A3C models. The company was renamed Prototipi Bizzarini and went on to produce sevral models, including the 5300 Corsa. The 5300 Corsa shares the Iso Grifo A3C body a chassis powered by a 327 Corvette V8 and is badged as a Bizzarini. The bodies were styled by Giugiaro at Bertone in collaboration with Renzo Rivolta. Bizzarini was keen to take the car racing and by 1963 had convinced Rivolta to finance the racing programme. The result was a sportier version of the Grifo produced in two forms of trim, the luxury version dubbed A3L the sports version A3c (Competition) Entered for the 1964 Sebring 12 hour and Le Mans 24 hour were it would go on to capture fourth overall and first in class. Around 22 A3C were constructed but due to disagreements Rivolta and Bizzarini parted company in 1965. A deal was struck allowing Bizzarini to continue production but without the use of its name, the new name was to be the Bizzarini 5300GT of which around 50 further cars were produced, The cars are almost identical but with small design details changed by Carrozzeria BBM such as the door handles, and front and rear signals and lights Shot at the Silverstone Classic 25.07.2010 Ref 57-98
The 5300 SI Spyder was the prototype for an open top version of the Bizzarrini 5300 GT. The concept was one of the stars of the 1966 Geneva Motorshow. Under Bizzarrini's supervision, its all-alloy body was developed at Turin's Stile Italia (SI). Other unique features included retractable head lights, seats molded in the body and a multi function roof design. The alloy hardtop was fitted with separate roof panels, which allowed the Spyder to be a Coupe, Targa or full Convertible. Two more examples were produced in 1967 and 1968 by Stile Italia, both slightly different from the Geneva 'Prototipo'. The same collector also owns the other two 5300 Spyders. The car was powered a 327ci (5.4L) Chevy small block V8 that was tweaked to produce 420hp. It featured an all aluminium alloy body with a tubular frame, which helped keep the weight to just 2535lbs. And was equipped with adjustable independent suspension, and magnesium, power assisted brakes, all cutting edge racing technology at the time. It offered truly astonishing performance for its day. (mindovermotor.com & ultimatecarpage.com) 1966 Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder Prototipo The concept prototype featured retractable head lights, seats molded in the body and a multi function roof design. The alloy hardtop was fitted with separate roof panels, which allowed the Spyder to be a Coupe, Targa or full Convertible. When Bizzarini's company went out of business, the prototype went to his attorney, who stored it in an underground garage in Pisa, Italy. There it sat for 35 years until it was discovered, acquired, and restored by Plymouth, Michigan Bizzarini aficionado Mark Sassak. (conceptcarz.com) (Photos from ultimatecarpage.conconceptcarz.com, cartype.com, autowp.ru, mindovermotor.com, mycarquest.com & classiccarart.us)
