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1966 Bizzarrini P 538 Barchetta Sports Roadster

  • Chassis Number: 002
Only three Bizzarinis with this 'spider' body were made and this is the only one powered by a Lamborghini V-12. The other two cars were powered by a Chevrolet Corvette 5.3-liter V-8 engine that led to the model designation 'P538.'

The body is a combination of aluminum and fiberglass that helps to make the car light and strong. Six 2-barrel Weber carburetors feed the 420 horsepower, 4.0-liter motor, propelling it to a top speed of 170 miles per hour. While the motor is similar to the one used on the later Lamborghini Miura, there are differences. In this model, the engine is mounted longitudinally instead of being placed transversely in the Miura.

As the story goes, Bizzarini wanted to build racecars and Lamborghini refused him the opportunity, so this car was designed and engineered entirely by Bizzarini. After parting ways with Lamborghini, Bizzarini went on to build cars that epitomized Italian styling with thoroughbred performance.

This Bizzarrini P538 was built for American racer Mike Gammino in 1966 to compete in the Can-Am series and at Le Mans. Two similar cars were also constructed with Chevrolet V8s, but this car is powered by a Lamborghini 4-liter V12 engine with six twin-barrel Weber carburetors producing 420 horsepower and achieving a top speed of over 170 MPH. The body uses an aluminum space frame bonded to fiberglass, making the car light and strong. The overall look was described by one journalist as 'a hunkered-down lizard,' and it is almost exactly twice as wide as it is tall. FIA regulations dictated that cars had to have a passenger seat and room for a suitcase so Bizzarrini put the driver in the center with the passenger on his left and luggage space on the right. Gammino drove this car just once in the Can-Am race at Bridgehampton before he sold it at the end of the season. Its current owner purchased it in 1990.

No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.

Recent Sales of the Bizzarrini P 538 Barchetta

(Data based on Model Year 1966 sales)

Bizzarrini P 538 Barchettas That Failed To Sell At Auction

1966 Bizzarrini P 538 Barchetta's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1965 BIZZARRINI P538 SPYDER BARCHETTAB042015 BarrettJackson Scottsdale   
1970 Bizzarrini P538P538B042014 Mecum Monterey$500,000$800,000$900,000

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1966 Bizzarrini P 538 Barchetta

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