1968 Bizzarrini: A Significant Offering by RM Sotheby's

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【Summary】RM Sotheby's is auctioning a 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada Alloy, a benchmark car from the 1960s Italian auto industry. The car was designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, who previously worked with Ferrari, and features a front-mid-mounted Chevrolet V-8 engine. The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada Alloy was a successful sports car that dominated the track and had scintillating performance. This particular car, chassis No.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 6:15 AM PT

1968 Bizzarrini: A Significant Offering by RM Sotheby's

The 1960s was a vibrant era for car design, particularly in Italy. It was a time and place unlike any other in automotive history. During this period, the Italian auto industry saw the rise of several manufacturers, ranging from small garage-sized operations to the massive FIAT. The number of automakers with names ending in "i" increased, leading to the endearing term "Etceterrini" for any badge that wasn't Maserati, Ferrari, or Lamborghini.

In 1963, Lamborghini's factory was established, thanks to the impressive V-12 engine developed by engineer Giotto Bizzarrini at the request of Ferruccio Lamborghini. Bizzarrini, who had recently been fired by Enzo Ferrari despite his contribution to the iconic 250 GTO, embarked on another project.

Successful industrialist Renzo Rivolta enlisted Bizzarrini to create the original Rivolta GT, as well as two remarkable cars that emerged in 1960s Italy. These were the Iso Grifo A3/L (Lusso) and A3/C (Corsa), both showcased at the 1963 Turin Motor Show. Giorgetto Giugiaro, the acclaimed designer behind the De Tomaso Mangusta and Maserati Ghibli, crafted the shapes of both cars. The Iso A3/C and Bizzarrini 5300 GT exemplify a harmonious combination of form and function, displaying fluid elegance comparable to Jaguar's iconic E-Type coupe.

Iso produced the Grifo, a luxury GT that enjoyed a successful run from 1965 to 1974. These cars were powered by various Chevrolet and Ford V-8 engines, offering a brilliant and cost-effective formula. Instead of developing a unique engine for the marque, Iso utilized reliable American V-8 engines. Bizzarrini's own company, founded in 1964, built the A3/C for Iso, and it was a pure sports car designed to dominate the track. The A3/C achieved significant success, winning the GT class at Le Mans in 1964 and 1965.

The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada featured a lightweight semi-monocoque aluminum body riveted to a fabricated platform chassis. It was equipped with a front-mid-mounted Chevrolet 327 ci V-8 engine, drawing inspiration from Bizzarrini's work on the Ferrari 250 GTO. The car delivered scintillating performance and handling, with power output ranging from 350 hp to 420 hp, depending on the tune and carburetion.

Approximately 115 examples of the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada and 5300 GT America were produced between 1965 and early 1969. Unfortunately, pricing the car at $10,500, significantly lower than the Italian "Big Three," proved to be an unprofitable strategy, leading to Bizzarrini's company declaring bankruptcy in 1969.

This particular 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada Alloy, chassis No. IA3 0323, is one of the last 86 alloy-bodied examples produced. It was originally delivered to California and remained there until 2017. The car has undergone sympathetic restoration, with over $130,000 invested since late 2021. It features new paint and interior in the original colors and is equipped with air conditioning and Campagnolo center-lock forged magnesium wheels. This rare gem is expected to fetch up to $1 million at the RM Sotheby's auction during Monterey Car Week.

For more photos of this 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada Alloy, click here.