- One of 19 Bizzarrini originally fitted with a BBM aluminium body

- ‘Corsa’ preparation and entered by the factory in the 1967 Mugello 500 km

- Continuous history from 1966 until now, same ownership since 1983

- Incredibly well-preserved and documented car

This car is the last but one of the 19 aluminium-bodied Bizzarrini 5300 GTs built by BBM in Modena, chosen by Giotto Bizzarrini when his original coachbuilder, Drogo, increased his prices. It was completed in 1965 (production of the BBM bodies ended in the autumn of that year) and it remained at the Bizzarrini factory for development and preparation work under the supervision of Signor Profumo. It was fitted with a set of four Weber carburettors, rack and pinion steering identical to that on the P538 racing model and a shorter 3.54:1 final drive ratio. The suspension was modified with an adjustment system for the De Dion rear axle and the rubber bushings were replaced by bronze items. Openings were cut into the body to reduce its weight, and the car was fitted with wider (9.5in) rear wheels, making it necessary to extend the wheel arches: this modification can be seen in photographs of the car taken at the Mugello circuit from 1967 onwards, where the aluminium is still bare, prior to being painted.

The car was used at first by Giotto Bizzarrini, probably with ‘Prova’ plates, before being registered in April 1966 with the number LI 84127 in the name of the company CMC Vignone Lichio (as is corroborated by the Carta di circolazione), at the same address as the Bizzarrini factory on the via Filippo Venuti in Livorno. This was one of Giotto Bizzarrini’s companies and he therefore continued to use the car.

In 1966 and 1967, when its specification was still very close to the ‘Strada’ model, it was entered in hill climbs with the drivers Franco Failli and Gian Carlo Naddeo. The racing career of this car took on a whole new dimension when it was entered by the factory in the 1967 Mugello 500 km race. We have the car's entry sheet, where it appears as ‘Prototipi Bizzarrini S.p.A’: this clearly shows that the car was entered by the factory. And, despite the extremely hot weather (44°C), and special measures were taken to cool the engine and brakes: additional scoops were fitted, together with a horizontal air intake on the bonnet. This is the only Bizzarrini or Iso A3C with this additional vent. As can be seen from the photographs taken in period, it has a few dents but has never been involved in an accident; it still has its original body, complete with these modifications.

After its early years of development to race with the factory, this car was sold on 3 September 1968 to its first private owner, Aldo Manna from Savigliano (near Cuneo) and registered as CN 185025. It was driven on the road and sold on 15 January 1977 to Giovanni Giordanengo, from Boves di Cuneo, who in turn sold it three months later to M. J. S., in Sweden. Photographs of the car in a snow-covered landscape, taken in 1977 when its owner took delivery of it, are included in its history file, and Niklas Hannah, a specialist at Artcurial, recalls seeing the car in 1978 at a workshop in central Stockholm, after it had arrived from Italy. The car, which still had its extended wheel arches, wider wheels and the special openings let into the body, was there to be prepared for competition use by its Swedish owner, who confirmed that he had added front and rear spoilers, a roll bar and a Chevrolet 350 engine. Following this work, it took part in 1981 in a historic race at the Falkenberg circuit, driven by the professional racing driver Rune Tobiasson, who finished in front of David Piper and his Ferrari P3. After the race, the car was bought by its current owner in 1983, who officially imported the car and paid the customs duties in November 1986. A Bizzarrini collector and specialist in the make, he wanted to use the car in historic racing events, but was unable to fulfil this wish. Some jobs were carried out, including removing the twin fuel tanks on each side for safety reasons, making way for a pair of side-mounted exhausts. Unlike standard Bizzarrinis, the bonnet is not front-hinged and lifts up in one piece. The car has never been registered in Sweden and still has its number plates from Cuneo.

Its Swedish owner, an enthusiast who has competed in many historic races, in particular with a Ginetta, intended to restore the car, and looked after it carefully. The Artcurial team discovered the car at his home 15 years ago but today, growing older and no longer able to carry out the restoration he had envisaged, he has decided to part with it. Our technical staff were able to start up the car in 2025 and it is in running order, but it will need a thorough overhaul before being used as normal.

It is in remarkably well-preserved condition. Some original spare parts which were removed by the current owner will have to be collected form the latter. It comes with its history file, including, exceptionally, its original Italian Libretto from the period. Among the historic photos in the file is one taken at Monza in 1965, in which – according to the Bizzarrini specialist Jack Koobs de Hartog – the car can be seen, together with another photograph showing Giotto Bizzarrini at the wheel of what is thought to be this very car.

Genuine aluminium-bodied Bizzarrini/Iso A3Cs are extremely rare, and the fact that this car was prepared for racing in period makes it even more desirable. It is believed that only two ‘Corsa’ models remain in existence today with their original bodywork. Of the nine other cars built and prepared by the factory, several were damaged in accidents or rebodied. With its exceptional provenance, history and condition, this Bizzarrini is eligible for the most prestigious historic events, whether races on track or concours d'élégance. Exceptional in terms of its provenance, the exclusivity of its original aluminium bodywork, its indisputable authenticity, its clear history and its state of preservation, this Bizzarrini is eligible for the most prestigious historic events, whether circuit races or concours d'élégance.

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Results in competition

- April 1966, Montefiascone hill climb, driver Franco Failli

- September 1966, Coppa Cimino hill climb, driver Franco Failli

- 1967, Monza Circuit

- 23 July 1967, Mugello 500 Km, 42nd overall, fifth in class, driver Gian Carlo Naddeo

Photos © Rasmus Kristoffersson