1966 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Coupe

Renzo Rivolta relied upon the Italian designer Giotto Bizzarrini, the individual responsible for the Ferrari 250 GTO and Testa Rossa, to create the Iso Grifo. It was fitted with a Chevy small-block V-8 engine and given a four-speed gearbox from the Corvette. Even though the Iso Grifo cost twice the price of a Corvette, it was much lighter and one of the most exotic cars of the era. It was a pure road-going race car with a roofline that stood a mere 43 inches above the ground and the performance of a thoroughbred race car.

Iso would continue to make the road-going cars, known as the Iso Grifo, while Bizzarrini built racing versions dubbed the Grifos. When the partnership between Bizzarrini and Iso soured, Iso was able to secure the supplies and parts necessary to build 50 Bizzarrini GT Stradas.

This example is one of the early, first-series 5300 Stradas. It has aluminum bodywork and a 5354cc Chevrolet V-8 engine, and a four-speed manual gearbox. It was delivered new in Italy and remained there until it was restored in 1986 by a marque specialist. Upon completion, it was sent to Austria by a Bizzarrini and Lamborghini agent, Bruno de Cillia. He sold the vehicle to another Austrian, Kurt Gaggl, who sold it in 1999 to an individual from Denmark named Peter Larsen.

This 5300 GT Strada Alloy won the GT category at the Cartier Concours d'Elegance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2005. It has been used in several rallies including the Italia Classica. It is currently painted in silver metallic cellulose with a soft black leather interior equipped with four-point safety belts, lumbar supports, and a fire extinguisher.

In 2009, this Bizzarrini Coupe was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was expected to sell for $525,000 - $600,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve, and the lot was left unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009