Giotto Bizzarrini's Gift

Giotto Bizzarrini may have had more influence in the realm of Italian motorcars than anyone else. Right out of engineering school in 1953, he designed the chassis for the Alfa Romeo Giuletta. He moved to Ferrari and became a developer, designer, and test driver. His masterpiece was the 250 GTO, arguably the greatest Ferrari ever. Bizzarrini left Ferrari and co-founded ATS, which built, among other things, an F1 car. His other company, Societa Autostar, designed the V12 used in every Lamborghini from the 350GT to the Murcielago. Societa also helped in the development of ISO Rivolta models like the Grifo.

With a portfolio that impressive, Bizzarrini could have taken an early retirement and rested on his laurels. He did not. His motto is: "I am not a car designer, I am a worker." He went on to create the Bizzarrini 5300 GT.

These pictures show the Strada, or street version. The racing version was called the Corsa. This rear view shows the car's kinship to the ISO Grifo. The 5300 shares its chassis with the Grifo. The aluminum body was designed by Bertone.

The profile also evidences its connection to the Grifo. Both look bulky and a little out of proportion.
But it is the front that has made the 5300 GT the object of admiration and lust among car lovers around the world. The image above is the first picture of the 5300 GT I had ever seen. I was leafing through a magazine and I literally did a double take when I saw this. The front end is unreal. It is clearly Italian, yet somehow alien. The low, squat stance blatantly boasts the car's road hugging abilities. The multiple vents hinted at a large and heavy breathing motor underneath the hood. The 5300 denoted the 5.3 liter (327 cubic inch) Chevy Corvette V8 that powered the beast.

Although Bizzarrini's Giuletta, GTO, and Lamborghini V12 are more well-known, I am fairly confident that the 5300 GT is his favorite child.

CKY

Note: I included pictures from many angles because two-dimensional images of the car do not do it justice. It must be seen in real life to be appreciated. If you are in California, you may be able to catch sight of one at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville or at the annual Concorso Italiano near Pebble Beach every August.