One to Buy: 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada

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In mid 1965, Iso boss Renzo Rivolta decided to end his collaboration with Giotto Bizzarrini who, from his facility in Livorno, had designed, built and raced he A3/C Grifo on Iso’s behalf.

As part of the severance deal, Bizzarrini got sole production rights to the A3/C and enough parts to build 50 cars in return for handing back the Grifo trademark to Iso.

Between 1965 and ‘68, Bizzarrini went on to assemble both Corsa and Strada versions of what became known as the 5300 GT; customers could mix and match whatever mechanical and trim componentry they liked to create a car tailored precisely to their own requirements. However, even in pure Strada trim with all the comforts you would expect of a high end Gran Turismo, the 5300 GT was still among the quickest cars available during the second half of the 1960s.

Despite its sensational looks and outstanding performance though, no more than 150 examples of the 5300 GT were built with some sources citing a figure of less than 100.

Unfortunately, owing to Bizzarrini’s patchy record keeping, high values and an off-the-shelf nature of its mechanical componentry, the 5300 GT ranks among the most widely faked Italian cars of the 20th century.

Currently on offer at the Thiesen Automobile showroom in Hamburg though is what appears to be an authentic 5300 GT from 1968, one that comes with a confidence-inspiring patina and correct features throughout. It has reputedly been in the same owner’s possession for 25 years and is presented in older restored condition.

For more information visit the Thiesen Automobile website at: https://www.thiesen-automobile.com/

One to Buy: ex-Luis Roussy / Briggs Cunningham 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT

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Despite having been a gifted engineer, Giotto Bizzarrini’s curious decision making and desire to compete at the top level of sports car racing ultimately played a key role in the downfall of his auto making company.

Having fallen out with Enzo Ferrari in late 1961 after four years at the Maranello firm, Bizzarrini later burnt his bridges with Renzo Rivolta who had commissioned the Tuscan maestro to design cars for Iso. The generous severance package negotiated by Rivolta in the summer of 1965 enabled Bizzarrini to become an independent car builder, but as the racey Iso Grifo A3/C became the Bizzarrini 5300 GT, plans were already afoot at the Livorno works to create a costly machine that could win Le Mans.

Somewhat inevitably, Bizzarrini’s company found itself in financial trouble less than three years later and, by 1969, the Livorno firm had closed its doors after only around 130 examples of the 5300 GT had been completed.

Today, these handsome Coupes from the golden age of the Italian Gran Turismo have come to be regarded as among the most sought after vehicles of their era and currently on offer at the Fiskens showroom in London is a particularly fine example: chassis IA3 0305.

Supplied new in 1968 to the President of Nestle, Luis Roussy, chassis IA3 0305 was dispatched from the Bizzarrini works in the elegant and rarely seen combination of Azzuro with Nero upholstery. A year later, the car was acquired by noted sportsman Briggs Cunningham who exported it to the United States where it joined his renowned collection in San Diego.

The car’s most recent custodian acquired it in 1988 and brought it over to the UK where it was beautifully restored around the turn of the century. IA3 0305 is being offered in superb condition throughout with a more tractable 300bhp engine currently installed and the original 365bhp motor included.

For more information visit the Fiskens website at: https://www.fiskens.com/

One to Buy: 1 of 1 ex-works 1966 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa

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During the 1964 and ‘65 seasons, the Bizzarrini-built Iso Grifo A3/C had proven itself as arguably the fastest GT racing car around even if it had not been produced in sufficient quantity to actually be homologated as a legitimate Group 3 Grand Tourer.

Unfortunately, the A3/C’s promising career came to an end during the late summer of 1965 when Iso boss Renzo Rivolta decided to sever ties with Giotto Bizzarrini owing to disagreements over branding and trademarking. Ultimately, Bizzarrini got the rights to produce the A3/C along with enough parts to build 50 cars in return for handing over the Grifo trademark.

As Giotto Bizzarrini now had to foot the bill for racing, along with the fact he had an expensive new Sports Prototype in development, only one example of the resultant Bizzarrini 5300 GT ever saw official on-track action: chassis BA4 0106.

Today, that car, the only right-hand drive 5300 GT completed, is on offer at the Fiskens showroom in London.

BA4 0106 raced on three occasions during the 1966 season. A shortage of wet weather tyres at the Monza 1000km meant it was an unclassified finisher while at the Targa Florio it blew a head gasket on the second lap and retired. At the Le Mans 24 Hours the car was disqualified owing to a pair of pit lane infringements.

For 1967, Bizzarrini equipped BA4 0106 with a seven-litre engine, but the car’s fortunes did not improve. Having posted 30th quickest time at the Le Mans Test, it did not start either the Monza 1000km or Le Mans 24 Hours, the latter as a consequence of a failed scrutineers inspection.

The car was subsequently mothballed at the Bizzarrini works for 34 years. Since discovery, it has been restored to 1966 Le Mans trim and successfully raced in historic events.

For more information visit the Fiskens website at: https://www.fiskens.com/