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November 29th, 2006


Behind the Marque

Nathan Laliberte explores the short yet brilliant life of The Bizzarrini Auto Company

Photos by Nathan Laliberte


The dramatic lines on the P538 were a trademark of Bizzarrini design.

In the words of Oscar Wilde, “beauty is a form of genius- is higher indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation.” For roughly seven years, Giotto Bizzarrini produced some of the most striking and innately beautiful cars of the Twentieth century. Strangely, very few people who do not have strong passions for automobiles have ever heard of Bizzarrini, let alone the exquisite P538 or the immortal 5300 GT. Is it not strange that such beauty in design could be so unrecognized by the general public? Vincent Van Gogh probably toiled over the same issue as he only sold one painting during his poverty- stricken life. It seems that discreet yet undeniable brilliance is often overlooked in the face of overwhelming popularity. The fact is that while Bizzarrini enjoyed mild success and recognition, his company never became the household names that Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati are today. His factory in Livorno, Italy produced sports cars of the highest caliber for four years before going into receivership in 1968 and finally, closing in 1969.


Livery--the number 2, copies the LeMans entry in 1966.

Giotto came from a family of engineers. In 1954, he quit his University teaching job to pursue a faster lifestyle as a test driver for Alfa Romeo. By 1957, he had moved on to Ferrari where he became head of controlling and testing for production and also assisted in the development of the legendary 250 GT.

He then moved to Lamborghini where he helped to modify their V-12 engine. Giotto then transitioned to Iso where he worked closely with Renzo Rivolto in developing a lineup of super cars. The relationship between Iso and Bizzarrini quickly went south when Giotto began applying his own logos on the hoods of the Iso A3/C line. After a controversial departure, Giotto retained the rights to build the A3/C under his own name. This was the car that would eventually be known as the 5300 GT. In 1965, the Bizzarrini factory finally opened and began producing automotive masterworks.


The p538 was capable of speeds nearing 200mph!

Today, Bizzarrinis are prized possessions in the automotive world. Because so few were ever produced (somewhere between 150 and 200), prices can easily soar into the seven figures. The GT 5300 Stradale was the most widely produced with about sixty-five examples completed between 1965 and 1968. Crammed behind the driver’s seat was a massive, 365 HP Chevy V8. The aluminum body, designed by Bertone, came complete with radiator cooling nostrils and push button door releases. There is nothing like hearing the sonorous click of a push button door release!


The stylish headrests do not have air intakes and were added to improve aerodynamics.

The performance was fantastic. The ‘65 5300 GT could leap to 60 MPH in 6.3 seconds and had a top speed of 145 MPH. While the interior was sparsely adorned, the raw power of the engine and dramatic styling cues made up for many shortcomings in the creature comfort department. This was not a car you bought to enjoy the feel of supple Italian leather or to take in a bucolic view of the countryside with your Saturday night date. Customers paid top dollar to feel the road in front of them and to sense a living and breathing animal in their grasps. Driving a brand new 5300 GT was like sitting atop a bull and running it down the cobble stoned streets of Pamplona. Bizzarrini never made particularly comfortable automobiles, rather, he crafted exquisitely designed beasts.


Lambo V12 engine with six down draft weber carburettors.

In the fall of '65, Bizzarrini completed work on his mid-engine Chevy-powered sports prototype dubbed the P538. It could reach speeds nearing 200 MPH and had an impressive 419 HP at a roaring 8300 RPM. The P538 was intended to bring Bizzarrini to the zenith of the racing circuit declaring Giotto as a force to be reckoned with. In June of 1966, the P538 entered Le Mans with drivers Edgar Berney and Anre Wicky. Starting 40th on the grid, the P538 spun off the start line and was then retired after three hours due to a cracked chassis tube. Because of the constantly changing racing regulations, the car became ineligible for the second half of the '66 season. In an attempt to generate cash flow, Bizzarrini modified the P538 to a closed coupe style and made an unsuccessful attempt at selling the failed Le Mans racer. From there, the car took on a very interesting provenance that would eventually lead to it ending up in Sweden as the one and only Manta Concept car owned by Ulf Larssen.

In 1968, the chassis was given to the future head of Italdesign, Giorgetto Giugiaro. He removed the P538 body and replaced it with the ultra futuristic Manta body. The car made its first appearance at The Turin Auto Show in late 1968. It was then displayed in the U.S. whereafter it was mysteriously lost on the sea voyage back to Europe. Roughly five years later, the now aqua-green Manta was put on the auction block as part of the Port of Genova Customs Auction. A man from Cuneo, Italy by the name of Giovanni Giordanengo snapped up the one-off concept for his private collection. It remained with Giordanengo until October of '88 when it was bought by Swedish collector, Ulf Larssen. It was purchased just in time for Larssen to show the car at the 20th anniversary celebration of Italdesign in Italy. The "sea foam" green paint was changed to metallic silver, possibly to give the car a more aggressive stance. As of '99, the car was for sale by the Larssen family.

This is the kind of story that makes the Bizzarrini marque so compelling. The '66 P538 was crafted not only by Bizzarrini but also by the god of Italian car design, Giorgio Giugiaro. Even without success at Le Mans, the P538/Manta Concept will always remain a legend of automotive ingenuity and a true piece of Italian history.

During the course of Giotto’s four year run, he produced not only the 5300 GT and P538 models, but also some lesser known models such as the Europa and ASA. These were not particularly stunning cars but they still retained the unmistakable flare of a Bizzarrini. The question remains: How could such an innovative designer as Bizzarrini go out of business in less than five years? Without worldwide recognition from the race track and the low number of production vehicles, Bizzarrini was forced to shut down his factory for good. Giotto was never recognized as the preeminent maker of Italy’s finest sports cars. Some would say he is best known for his development of the Ferrari 250 GT. A dubious honor considering the fact that his own Marque achieved such brilliance in just four years.


This P538 also features a five speed manual transmission, campognolo wheels and an all- fiberglass body.

The P538 featured here is currently part of the Van Horneff Collection of Saddle River New Jersey. This stunning example was purchased by Mr. Horneff at auction in 1996. Originally commissioned by a wealthy Torino jeweler, Luciano Bertolero, the car was designated chassis #002. According to Van Horneff, "it was initially built in 1966 to run as the Bizzarrini entree at Le Mans for 1967, then set aside and not completed until 1972 because of the 1967-8 FIA's homologation rule changes."

The racer boasts the legendary Lamborghini V12 engine that Bizzarrini had helped to develop during his time as an engineer at Lamborghini. Chassis #002 also features a five speed manual transmission, campognolo wheels and an all fiberglass body. When Mr. Horneff started the engine in preparation for our ride around his neighborhood , the thunderous roar of the massive V12 jolted my senses. As we twisted and turned our way through the curved roads of New Jersey, I started to realize just how well the car was engineered. I rarely heard a bump or a creak and the handling was that of a modern day sports car. Gravitational forces seemed only to assist with performance instead of deter. Upon exiting the P538, my hair was blown and my eyes were tearing but I was still able to realize the engineering brilliance and utter pizazz appeal of the P538.






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