Bizzarrini

Giotto Bizzarrini was clearly a talented Engineer, not only with his understanding of chassis and aerodynamics, but also equally capable of developing as well as designing engines. And all of this at the cutting edge of the time he was carrying out these projects. Bizzarrini got his engineering degree in 1953 and ended up at Alfa Romeo working in the experimental department on chassis development, and also became a useful test driver. By 1957 he was at Ferrari in a similar role, and during his time there single handedly developed the 250 GTO out of  il Commendatores personal Boano 250GT. In 1961 he was one of the people that left Ferari where he was one of the founders of ATS with Carlo Chiti, who built the ATS F1 car as well as the neat ATS Serenissima sportscar. The following year when Ferrari wouldn't sell Count Volpi a 250GTO to run at LeMans, Volpi engaged Bizzarrini to rework his 250GT into what was dubbed by the English press as the Breadvan, after the French had called it "La Camionette" due to the truncated Kamm rear bodywork of Piero Drogo. This car led all the GTO's until a drive shaft broke.

Giotto Bizzarrini registered Societa Autostar as his company in 1962. For another disgruntled Ferrari customer, Ferruccio Lamborghini, he designed the unbelievable package that was the Lamborghini V12 which was fitted in every Lamborghini built for decades. He had trouble getting paid but this was resolved in court. He was also resposible for the chassis. Bizzarrini also collaborated with Renzo Rivolta and was responsible largely for the Iso Rivolta IR 300 GT car, Iso's first large car followed by the Iso Grifo, both fitted with the small block Chevrolet engines with different induction system devised for better power. As a result of his collaboration with Rivolta (who died in 1967) the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada and Corsa cars were built under his own name, based on teh Iso. Bizzarrini ceased manufacturing cars in 1969.

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Bizzarrini 5300 GT Stradale