With its Italian styling and big American V8, the Bizzarrini5300 GT was one of the rarest and most exclusive cars of its time, winning over discerning customers like the Shah of Iran.
Giotto Bizzarrini was born in Livorno in 1926. Fascinated by cars, he studied engineering and joined Alfa Romeo in 1954. He quickly built up a solid technical background at the Milan-based manufacturer before joining Ferrari three years later. There, he worked on such legendary models as the Testa Rossa, the 500 Mondial, the 250 GT, the 250 GT SWB and the 250 GTO. During this period, Bizzarrini became friends with the engineer Carlo Chiti, and the two men eventually left the prancing-horse firm in 1961. They founded Automobili Turismo e Sport. The company did not last long, however, as the two men went their separate ways. Bizzarrini then launched his own engine design business called Autostar.
Important meetings
Giotto Bizzarrini's first customers included Ferruccio Lamborghini, a tractor manufacturer who wanted to launch his own sports car brand following a dispute with Enzo Ferrari. For the latter, the engineer designed a 3.5-litre V12 engine that was fitted in the Lamborghini 350 GT. However, it was another meeting that really launched Bizzarrini's business: Renzo Rivolta. This jack-of-all-trades made his fortune manufacturing refrigerators. Interested in cars, he also wanted to build his own sports car. Bizzarrini designed a vehicle with bodywork designed by Bertone and produced by Sport Cars in Modena. The result was the Iso Grifo.
Single rider
Bizzarrini set up Prototipi Bizzarrini in 1964. It was also at this time that the engineer quarrelled with Rivolta over a project for a racing version of the Iso Grifo. The two men went their separate ways and Giotto Bizzarrini was determined to see his project through to the end. However, the vehicle needed to be approved for series production. So he gathered his knowledge and created the Bizzarrini 5300 GT, a front-engined sports car. For cost reasons, he didn't design the engine block, but turned to Chevrolet and bought a 5.3-litre V8. Developing 360 bhp in its basic configuration, it was prepared to exceed 400 bhp. It was mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox supplied by Borg-Warner.
Disappointments
Capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, the 5300GT Strada can exceed 250 km/h in top speed. Its styling was largely inspired by that of the Iso Grifo and it was one of the most beautiful cars of its time, very low and wide. Despite numerous race entries, Bizzarrini struggled to rank among the best. Very exclusive, the 5300 GT Strada was not a great commercial success. Despite an attempt to break into the American market with a ‘low-cost’ version with fibreglass bodywork, naturally called the ‘5300 GT America’, it didn't really catch on. Between 1964 and 1968, only 133 examples were built. In 1969, Bizzarrini SpA (formerly Protitipi Bizzarrini) closed its doors for good. Giotto Bizzarrini then became a consultant for various brands. He died in 2023.
