1966 ASA 1000 GT Spider

by Mike -

This is a terrific car that you do not see very often.

Ferrari designed this little gem and sold the manufacturing rights to Autocostruzioni Societa per Azioni (ASA).

ASA hired Giotto Bizzarrini to test drive the car and work out the final technical details, which he did.

The engine has 1032 cc displacement and is based on the Ferrari 250 GT engine, with a 4-speed transmission. It produces 97 hp.

The body style is by Bertone. The coupe was introduced at the Turin Auto Show in 1961 and the Spider was introduced in 1963.

It is estimated that 118 ASA 1000 GTs were made with only 17 Spiders in the total.

This car delivers a Ferrari like experience without the expense of owning and maintaining a V12 Ferrari. Well, it also will not go as fast as a Ferrari.

This car was at the Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours On The Avenue in August 2011.

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AMX/3 - American Motors and Bizzarrini Team Up

by Mike -

In 1969 American Motors Corporation (AMC) was a distant fourth in automobile production in the United States and wanted to do something dramatic to try and change the outlook of their business. They introduced the AMX/2 mid-engine concept car at the 1969 Chicago Auto Show. Although this was just a rolling chassis it generated some attention.

AMC needed help to turn this dream into a reality so they contacted Giotto Bizzarrini who was having business troubles of his own.

Above is Giotto Bizzarrini on the left and Beppe Nieri, Bizzarrini's test driver, leaning on an AMX/3. Photos by Flavio Pieri.

The engine for the AMX/3 was an AMC 390 cid V8 putting out 340 hp. It accelerated to 60 MPH in just 5.5 seconds. By all accounts the AMX/3 was an excellent car and handled very well. BMW also made contributions to the AMX/3. 

Below the Bizzarrini team is working on the AMX/3. Photos by Flavio Pieri.

Unfortunately AMC ran out of money and Bizzarrini was distracted by his own problems so the project was halted after only five cars were made.

This yellow car above was at Pebble Beach in 2006.

This red car above was owned by Dick Teague of AMC. Sweet dreams unfulfilled.

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