Bizzarrini
Encyclopedia
Bizzarrini S.p.A. was an automotive
manufacturer in the 1960s. Founded by former Alfa Romeo
, Ferrari
and ISO
engineer, Giotto Bizzarrini
, the company built a small number of highly developed and advanced sport and racing automobiles before failing in 1969.
Originally Prototipi Bizzarrini s.r.l., the name was changed to Bizzarrini S.p.A. in 1966. The Bizzarrini marque has been revived with a number of concept car
s in the 2000s.
was born in Livorno
, Italy in 1926. His father was a rich landowner who came from a good family with strong roots in Tuscany and the city of Livorno. His grandfather, also named Giotto Bizzarrini, was a biologist who had worked with Guglielmo Marconi
on his inventions, especially the radio, following which one of the Livorno Library sections was named The Bizzarrini Library.
Bizzarrini graduated as an engineer in the University of Pisa
in 1953. He taught briefly before joining Alfa Romeo in 1954. He worked for Alfa Romeo
from 1954 to 1957. He began working for Ferrari
in 1957, eventually becoming controller of experimental, Sports and GT car development. He worked at Ferrari as a developer, designer, skilled test driver, and chief engineer for five years. His developments there included the Ferrari 250 TR, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB (Short Wheelbase Berlinetta or Berlinetta Passo Corto), and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
.
Bizzarrini was fired by Ferrari during the "palace revolt" of 1961. He became part of Automobili Turismo e Sport
(ATS)), a company started by the ex-Ferrari engineers to build a Formula 1 single seater and a GT sport car, the A.T.S. Serenissima.
One of ATS's financial backers, Count Giovanni Volpi
, owner of Scuderia Serenissima
, hired Bizzarrini to upgrade a Ferrari 250 GT SWB to GTO specifications. This resulted in the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo also known as the "Breadvan".
Bizzarrini's engineering company, Societa Autostar, was commissioned to design a V-12 engine for a GT car to be built by another dissatisfied Ferrari customer, Ferruccio Lamborghini
. Lamborghini considered the resulting engine to be too highly strung, and ordered that it be detuned.
. The Gordon Keeble GT was designed in 1960 by Giugiaro. Bizzarrini tested the car and was amazed by the smooth powerful V8 Corvette engine and the rear De Dion tube
used for the GT:
Iso Rivolta GT was a Giugiaro designed four seater with beautiful body, speed, comfort and handling. Iso Rivolta GT was a successful car for ISO, with 799 units sold. Powered by a 327ci V8 Chevrolet Corvette engine with a classic de Dion rear suspension design with pressed-steel monocoque bodywork over press steel frame chassis. Unveiled to press in 1963, production continued until 1970.
in 1966 with a top speed of 160 mi/h. Later versions of the Grifo were powered by a big block Chevrolet Corvette
350 bhp engine. These 90 handbuilt units are distinguishable by the raised "pagoda style" scoop bonnet. Some of these Iso Grifo 7 Litri units were rebuilt later with even bigger engines.
The idea of Bizzarrini was to use the 3AL cars for competition. The competition versions of the Grifo were named Iso Grifo A3C, C for Competizione or Corsa. A new lightweight riveted aluminium body was designed and built by Piero Drogo
. It was an aggressively designed machine, oriented to endurance races. It uses normal ISO underpinnings but the engine was moved further back in the chassis frame than the Grifo A3L, protruding well into the driver's cabin, fitted with hot cams and fed by four big Weber carburettors, giving more than 400 bhp.
Around 29 A3C sport cars were built under the ISO name. Five of these 29 cars were bodied in plastic/fiberglass by Piero Drogo at Carrozzeria Sports Cars
in Modena
. A3Cs were widely raced. Some cars entered the 1964 and 1965 Le Mans 24 hour
, 1965 Nürburgring
1000 and 1965 Sebring
. It achieved a Le Mans class win in both years and a 9th overall in 1965
with no factory support. A3Cs were one of the fastest cars on LeMans' Mulsanne straight in both years.
factory.
At least three 5300s were turned out as beautiful Style Italia designed spyder/targa versions, all of which survive.
was designed by factory stylists and was less aggressive but still beautiful. Bizzarrini then decided to build the car himself. Around 17 prototypes were completed. The car is officially named as the Bizzarrini 1900 GT Europa. One of these cars has a barchetta body. Some cars are powered by 1300 and 1600 four cylinder engines sourced from GM, Alfa Romeo and FIAT. There is even a highly developed racing version with SPICA
fuel injection system.
Bizzarrini's advanced ideas emerged again with the superb Bizzarrini P538S, P for posteriore, 53 for the 5300 cc Corvette engine, 8 for V8 engine and S for Sportcar. The first V-12 car was ordered by USA racer Mike Gammino.
This ultra low barchetta raced in the 1966 Le Mans (DNF) and was entered in 67 even but did not start (DNQ). In 1966, after a spin at the very start line, it lasted less than a half an hour and retired by a cracked oil pipe. During the short race time, the P538 was clocked as one of the fastest cars down the Mulsanne straight.
In 1968, Giugiaro rebodied one of the P538 as the famous Bizzarrini Manta. After some years in Sweden, it was dismantled for an extensive restoration. Later featured in various classics cars events, it now resides in USA.
bits, Bizzarrini and his team designed a superb car. The Bizzarrini BZ-2001 is the true follower of the P538. The car was the first one of a supposed production run, but only one more car was completed.
At the 2005 Geneva show, the new owner of the marque Bizzarrini showed the new GT Strada 4.1 concept, a two-door GT with a 4.1-litre 550 bhp plant (maximum speed - 360 kilometre per hour, 0-100 km/h in 3.8 sec.) and was planned for production in 2007.
In 2008, Giotto Bizzarrini is working in Livorno, building replicas P538 for American customers.
Today, he is still very busy, teaching and collaborating with the Roma University developing advanced projects and designing, building and developing his own sport cars. He often said: "I'm not a car designer, I am a worker".
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
manufacturer in the 1960s. Founded by former Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
, Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
and ISO
Iso Rivolta
Iso Rivolta was an automobile and motorbike manufacturer in Italy, predominantly active from the late 1940s through the early 1970s. They are known for the iconic Isetta 'bubble car' of the 1950s, and for a number of powerful performance cars in the 60s and early 70s.-History:Iso Rivolta was...
engineer, Giotto Bizzarrini
Giotto Bizzarrini
Giotto Bizzarrini is an Italian automobile engineer active from the 1950s through 1970s....
, the company built a small number of highly developed and advanced sport and racing automobiles before failing in 1969.
Originally Prototipi Bizzarrini s.r.l., the name was changed to Bizzarrini S.p.A. in 1966. The Bizzarrini marque has been revived with a number of concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
s in the 2000s.
Giotto Bizzarrini
Giotto BizzarriniGiotto Bizzarrini
Giotto Bizzarrini is an Italian automobile engineer active from the 1950s through 1970s....
was born in Livorno
Livorno
Livorno , traditionally Leghorn , is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of approximately 160,000 residents in 2009.- History :...
, Italy in 1926. His father was a rich landowner who came from a good family with strong roots in Tuscany and the city of Livorno. His grandfather, also named Giotto Bizzarrini, was a biologist who had worked with Guglielmo Marconi
Guglielmo Marconi
Guglielmo Marconi was an Italian inventor, known as the father of long distance radio transmission and for his development of Marconi's law and a radio telegraph system. Marconi is often credited as the inventor of radio, and indeed he shared the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics with Karl Ferdinand...
on his inventions, especially the radio, following which one of the Livorno Library sections was named The Bizzarrini Library.
University of Pisa
The University of Pisa , located in Pisa, Tuscany, is one of the oldest universities in Italy. It was formally founded on September 3, 1343 by an edict of Pope Clement VI, although there had been lectures on law in Pisa since the 11th century...
in 1953. He taught briefly before joining Alfa Romeo in 1954. He worked for Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
from 1954 to 1957. He began working for Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
in 1957, eventually becoming controller of experimental, Sports and GT car development. He worked at Ferrari as a developer, designer, skilled test driver, and chief engineer for five years. His developments there included the Ferrari 250 TR, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB (Short Wheelbase Berlinetta or Berlinetta Passo Corto), and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
Ferrari 250 GTO
The Ferrari 250 GTO is a GT car which was produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 for homologation into the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring Car category....
.
Bizzarrini was fired by Ferrari during the "palace revolt" of 1961. He became part of Automobili Turismo e Sport
Automobili Turismo e Sport
ATS was an Italian automotive constructor and racing team that operated between 1963 and 1965, formed after the famous "Palace Revolution" at Ferrari....
(ATS)), a company started by the ex-Ferrari engineers to build a Formula 1 single seater and a GT sport car, the A.T.S. Serenissima.
One of ATS's financial backers, Count Giovanni Volpi
Giovanni Volpi
Count Giovanni Volpi di Misurata was an automobile racing manager. He inherited a fortune, at the age of 24, from his father, Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata, a politician financier and founder of the renowned Venice Film Festival....
, owner of Scuderia Serenissima
Scuderia Serenissima
Scuderia Serenissima was a successful auto racing team in the early 1960s. Funded by Giovanni Volpi, Serenissima used Ferraris to much success until the founder financed the exiled Ferrari company, ATS...
, hired Bizzarrini to upgrade a Ferrari 250 GT SWB to GTO specifications. This resulted in the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo also known as the "Breadvan".
Bizzarrini's engineering company, Societa Autostar, was commissioned to design a V-12 engine for a GT car to be built by another dissatisfied Ferrari customer, Ferruccio Lamborghini
Ferruccio Lamborghini
Ferruccio Elio Arturo Lamborghini was an Italian industrialist. Born to grape farmers from the comune of Renazzo di Cento in the Emilia-Romagna region, his mechanical know-how led him to enter the business of tractor manufacturing in 1948, when he founded Lamborghini Trattori, which quickly became...
. Lamborghini considered the resulting engine to be too highly strung, and ordered that it be detuned.
Iso Rivolta
Bizzarrini worked since 1964 for Iso Rivolta and developed three models: Iso Rivolta GT, Iso Grifo both A3L and A3C versions. His work was to develop a pressed steel frame chassis for Iso cars. Renzo Rivolta hired him as consultant to the Iso Gordon GT project which became the Iso Rivolta GT. The Iso Gordon GT prototype was developed from the Gordon-KeebleGordon-Keeble
Gordon-Keeble was a British car marque, made first in Slough, then Eastleigh, and finally in Southampton , between 1963 and 1967. The marque's badge was unusual in featuring a tortoise — a pet tortoise walked into the frame of an inaugural photo-shoot, taken in the grounds of the makers...
. The Gordon Keeble GT was designed in 1960 by Giugiaro. Bizzarrini tested the car and was amazed by the smooth powerful V8 Corvette engine and the rear De Dion tube
De Dion tube
A de Dion tube is an automobile suspension technology. It is a sophisticated form of non-independent suspension and is a considerable improvement over the alternative swing axle and Hotchkiss drive types. A de Dion suspension uses universal joints at both the wheel hubs and differential, and uses a...
used for the GT:
'Rivolta had me test the prototype. I liked its De Dion tube and specially the Corvette engine. It was first time I had driven one. It was superior to Ferrari's engines, having the same power but with a more immediate throttle response.'
Iso Rivolta GT was a Giugiaro designed four seater with beautiful body, speed, comfort and handling. Iso Rivolta GT was a successful car for ISO, with 799 units sold. Powered by a 327ci V8 Chevrolet Corvette engine with a classic de Dion rear suspension design with pressed-steel monocoque bodywork over press steel frame chassis. Unveiled to press in 1963, production continued until 1970.
ISO Grifo
The Iso Grifo A3L was a monstrous idea for a super coupé, the L coming from Lusso. The result of the brilliant Giugiaro and Bizzarrini working together, it was based on a shortened Iso Rivolta GT chassis and was debuted at the 1963 Turin show. The Grifo epitomised the Italian 1960s style with his handsome low and wide handmade bodywork. It was the fastest production car tested by Autocar MagazineAutocar
Autocar is a weekly British automobile magazine published by Haymarket Motoring Publications Ltd. It refers to itself as "The World's oldest car magazine".-History:...
in 1966 with a top speed of 160 mi/h. Later versions of the Grifo were powered by a big block Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
350 bhp engine. These 90 handbuilt units are distinguishable by the raised "pagoda style" scoop bonnet. Some of these Iso Grifo 7 Litri units were rebuilt later with even bigger engines.
The idea of Bizzarrini was to use the 3AL cars for competition. The competition versions of the Grifo were named Iso Grifo A3C, C for Competizione or Corsa. A new lightweight riveted aluminium body was designed and built by Piero Drogo
Piero Drogo
Piero Drogo was a racing driver and coachbuilder from Italy. He participated in one Formula One Grand Prix, debuting on September 4, 1960. He scored no championship points. He moved on to form a carrozzeria in Modena to service the thriving sports car industry there...
. It was an aggressively designed machine, oriented to endurance races. It uses normal ISO underpinnings but the engine was moved further back in the chassis frame than the Grifo A3L, protruding well into the driver's cabin, fitted with hot cams and fed by four big Weber carburettors, giving more than 400 bhp.
Around 29 A3C sport cars were built under the ISO name. Five of these 29 cars were bodied in plastic/fiberglass by Piero Drogo at Carrozzeria Sports Cars
Carrozzeria Sports Cars
Carrozzeria Sports Cars was a niche carrozzeria in Modena, Italy, active in the 1960s. The company was founded by one-time Formula One driver, Piero Drogo, and it quickly began taking on small sports car and racing body orders from the manufacturers in that city. His bodies were used by Scuderia...
in Modena
Modena
Modena is a city and comune on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy....
. A3Cs were widely raced. Some cars entered the 1964 and 1965 Le Mans 24 hour
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
, 1965 Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
1000 and 1965 Sebring
Sebring
-Automobiles and racing:* Sebring International Raceway, an auto racetrack* 12 Hours of Sebring, a famous race at the raceway* Chrysler Sebring, an automobile* Maserati Sebring, an automobile-Other:* Sebring , an Australian thoroughbred racehorse...
. It achieved a Le Mans class win in both years and a 9th overall in 1965
1965 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 33rd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 19 and 20 1965. It was also the twelfth round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Pre-race:...
with no factory support. A3Cs were one of the fastest cars on LeMans' Mulsanne straight in both years.
Bizzarrini S.p. A
Due to the complicated deal with ISO, Bizzarrini left in 1964 and founded Societa Prototipi Bizzarrini (Bizzarrini S.p. A), which produced some 140 cars through 1969 at its LivornoLivorno
Livorno , traditionally Leghorn , is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of approximately 160,000 residents in 2009.- History :...
factory.
5300 Strada
In 1966 Bizzarrini S.p.A. released a stunning street legal Grifo A3C as the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada (or Bizzarrini 5300 GT America, depending on the market). The body shape and mechanical parts were the much the same as the Iso A3Cs, resulting in a power-packed yet sensuous coupe under 40" in height.At least three 5300s were turned out as beautiful Style Italia designed spyder/targa versions, all of which survive.
Bizzarrini 1900 GT Europa
Bizzarrini also managed a scaled-down 5300 GT project. Designed for GM-Opel, it was based on Opel 1900 platform. Bizzarrini's proposal was more aggressive and good looking. It was a baby-looking 5300 GT. The production Opel GTOpel GT
The Opel GT is a two-seat sports car first presented as a styling exercise in 1965 at the Paris and Frankfurt motor shows, and introduced as a production model late in 1968 by Opel, a German subsidiary of General Motors...
was designed by factory stylists and was less aggressive but still beautiful. Bizzarrini then decided to build the car himself. Around 17 prototypes were completed. The car is officially named as the Bizzarrini 1900 GT Europa. One of these cars has a barchetta body. Some cars are powered by 1300 and 1600 four cylinder engines sourced from GM, Alfa Romeo and FIAT. There is even a highly developed racing version with SPICA
SPICA
SPICA S.p.A. was an Italian manufacturer of fuel injection systems.- History :The company was founded by Francesco Cassani in 1932. SPICA fuel injection systems were used in diesel and petrol engines....
fuel injection system.
Bizzarrini P538S
This ultra low barchetta raced in the 1966 Le Mans (DNF) and was entered in 67 even but did not start (DNQ). In 1966, after a spin at the very start line, it lasted less than a half an hour and retired by a cracked oil pipe. During the short race time, the P538 was clocked as one of the fastest cars down the Mulsanne straight.
In 1968, Giugiaro rebodied one of the P538 as the famous Bizzarrini Manta. After some years in Sweden, it was dismantled for an extensive restoration. Later featured in various classics cars events, it now resides in USA.
Bizzarrini P538S
Officially three or four chassis were originally built in period, but a total of ten (or more) chassis are in existence today. At least two of these are Lamborghini V12 powered. These V12 powered cars were truly the long waited Bizzarrini dream: his own engine and own chassis.Bizzarrini BZ-2001
In 1990, Bizzarrini was involved in the design of a one-off supercar model. Based on Ferrari TestarossaFerrari Testarossa
The Ferrari Testarossa is a 12-cylinder mid-engine sports car manufactured by Ferrari, which went into production in 1984 as the successor to the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer...
bits, Bizzarrini and his team designed a superb car. The Bizzarrini BZ-2001 is the true follower of the P538. The car was the first one of a supposed production run, but only one more car was completed.
Picchio Barchetta
In 1989 a group of young friends living in Ascoli Piceno, with a strong passion for motor sport, had the idea to establish a company constructing "copies" of the cars manufactured in the past by Giotto Bizzarrini. During their first encounter, the Tuscan motor genius expressed a kind of animosity towards this idea; he refused to support the project and he turned the group of friends out. Nevertheless, their motivation was so strong that, after a short briefing of about half an hour, they presented an alternative proposal: to construct a sports car. The result was the Picchio Barchetta, powered by BMW engines. The cars were successfully raced in the Italian Hillclimb Championship and Italian Sport Championship.Bizzarrini Kjara
The Kjara project was born in 1998. The Scuderia Bizzarrini built this sport barchetta in close collaboration with Leone Martellucci of University La Sapienza of Roma. The car is powered by a parallel hybrid propulsion system with a 2.5 litre TurboDiesel Lancia engine and a 40 kW AC electric drive; it was shown at Turin Motor Show 2000.Bizzarrini today
Mr Bizzarrini is still busy with personal projects and conferences.At the 2005 Geneva show, the new owner of the marque Bizzarrini showed the new GT Strada 4.1 concept, a two-door GT with a 4.1-litre 550 bhp plant (maximum speed - 360 kilometre per hour, 0-100 km/h in 3.8 sec.) and was planned for production in 2007.
In 2008, Giotto Bizzarrini is working in Livorno, building replicas P538 for American customers.
Today, he is still very busy, teaching and collaborating with the Roma University developing advanced projects and designing, building and developing his own sport cars. He often said: "I'm not a car designer, I am a worker".