The 1965 Bizzarini P538
A Lesser Known Italian Classic
A Lesser Known Italian Classic
Hello everyone. Today is classic car day, and I will start by talking about a classic from Italy called the Bizzarini P538.
Giotto Bizzarini is an Italian who once worked for Alfa Romeo and Ferrari before building his own company in 1964. By 1965 he and his workers created their first car dubbed the Bizzarini P538. The car apparently had an old Chevrolet Corvette engine in it giving the Italian car the heart and...sound of an American car. Later models used various V-12s. Let's learn more about this amazing classic with an Italian body and an American heart. (The V-8) (One of the V-12s)
The 1965 Bizzarini P538 is an Italian sports car originally equipped with a V-8 from an old Chevy Corvette that had 5.3 liters and was naturally aspirated. Later models used either a 3.5 liter or 4.0 liter V-12 that both had natural aspiration. The power of the V-8 model is 365 hp. Top speed of the V-8 model is 174 mph which is very quick for it's time. Ferrari you've been schooled. Haha! Apparently the V-8 was coupled to a 5-speed ZF gearbox with a stick shift.
The P538's body is made of fiberglass. Don't worry this car is legal in the States and Britain. The suspension was created to be independent at all four corners of the car. The brakes used are four-wheel discs that are mounted in-board.
You would think given the time this car was made it probably raced at Le Mans against such cars as Ferraris and maybe the Ford GT40. While it did for a short time the FIA eventually placed some new rules kicking the car out of the race. Worse the Bizzarini company went through financial problems and Mr. Bizzarini had to hide the component for the car to keep them from investigators.
I don't know the price of the car back in the day, but today the car is said to cost between $750,000 to $950,00 depending on the model.
My question is whether such a price is worthy of such a rare classic.
Plus if you think Bizzarini is dead think again. They apparently have a concept car for the year 2008. Here's a picture of it.
Giotto Bizzarini is an Italian who once worked for Alfa Romeo and Ferrari before building his own company in 1964. By 1965 he and his workers created their first car dubbed the Bizzarini P538. The car apparently had an old Chevrolet Corvette engine in it giving the Italian car the heart and...sound of an American car. Later models used various V-12s. Let's learn more about this amazing classic with an Italian body and an American heart. (The V-8) (One of the V-12s)
The 1965 Bizzarini P538 is an Italian sports car originally equipped with a V-8 from an old Chevy Corvette that had 5.3 liters and was naturally aspirated. Later models used either a 3.5 liter or 4.0 liter V-12 that both had natural aspiration. The power of the V-8 model is 365 hp. Top speed of the V-8 model is 174 mph which is very quick for it's time. Ferrari you've been schooled. Haha! Apparently the V-8 was coupled to a 5-speed ZF gearbox with a stick shift.
The P538's body is made of fiberglass. Don't worry this car is legal in the States and Britain. The suspension was created to be independent at all four corners of the car. The brakes used are four-wheel discs that are mounted in-board.
You would think given the time this car was made it probably raced at Le Mans against such cars as Ferraris and maybe the Ford GT40. While it did for a short time the FIA eventually placed some new rules kicking the car out of the race. Worse the Bizzarini company went through financial problems and Mr. Bizzarini had to hide the component for the car to keep them from investigators.
I don't know the price of the car back in the day, but today the car is said to cost between $750,000 to $950,00 depending on the model.
My question is whether such a price is worthy of such a rare classic.
Plus if you think Bizzarini is dead think again. They apparently have a concept car for the year 2008. Here's a picture of it.
