1968 Bizzarrini 5300 Strada Coupe

Giotto Bizzarrini received his engineering degree from the University of Pisa in 1953 and then began a career with Alfa Romeo as a test driver before moving into the engineering department. By 1957, he had joined Ferrari, where he served numerous roles and his talents led to his appointment as chief engineer and is credited with the development of three of Ferrari's greatest cars of the period: the 250 Testa Rossa, 250 GT SWB, and 250 GTO.

During the famous 'Palace Revolt' of 1961, Bizzarrini was among the key group of employees who left Ferrari following a crisis that developed over increasing involvement by Enzo Ferrari's wife in company affairs. Taking aim at their former employer, they formed a company dubbed ATS, but Bizzarrini abandoned the effort, electing instead to establish his own engineering consultancy firm, Società Autostar.

Within a short period of time, Bizzarrini had joined with Renzo Rivolta to develop a new line of luxury sports cars. Bizzarrini handled the mechanical design, and Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone created the exterior styling. Named the Iso Rivolta and Iso Grifo, the drivetrains were sourced from proven and reliable American-based components.

Lured by the call of motorsport competition, Bizzarrini worked towards developing what he called an 'improved GTO' - the Iso Grifo A3/C. Equipped with a 327 cubic-inch V8 engine sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette and paired with a four-speed Borg-Warner manual gearbox, it was capable of sprinting from zero to sixty mph in less than seven seconds and had a claimed top speed of 174 mph. Repositioning the transmission a foot-and-a-half further back helped achieve better weight distribution, and its low-slung, aerodynamic aluminum body was shaped to perfection by Giugiaro using a wind tunnel. It was a formidable machine that was as potent and efficient as it was attractive.

When Bizzarrini and Rivolta parted ways in 1965, Bizzarrini was allowed to build the A3/C under his own name, with the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada built for the street and the Corsa for the track. Production of the 5300 GT continued until 1968, with 133 units believed to have been completed at Bizzarrini's factory in Livorno, Italy. The burgeoning company declared bankruptcy in early 1969 in the aftermath of a fraudulent investment scheme.

The Chevrolet V-8 engine powering the Strada ranged between 350 and 420 horsepower, providing a claimed top speed of up to 180 mph.

Chassis Number IA3 0323
This Bizzarrini 5300 Strada GT was among the final 86 alloy-bodied examples completed by the factory. It is believed to have been delivered new to California and originally wore a blue color scheme over black leather. It remained in Southern California among a short chain of owners until 2017, when it moved east after being acquired by an individual from Massachusetts.

The car had been repainted Italian red under previous ownership, but following a complete cosmetic restoration by its current caretaker, the car was returned to its original specification. It had been involved in a fender-bender in 2003, and the repairs it had received were addressed, with defects or other issues corrected, resulting in a 'better than new' condition. The interior was retrimmed in black leather using the correct upholstery patterns.

This Bizzarrini is equipped with power windows, an air conditioning system, and a set of Campagnolo center-lock, forged magnesium wheels wrapped in period-style Avon tires. It has been used sparingly since the cosmetic restoration was completed.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024