The resurrected Bizzarrini brand, founded by probably the world's most talented automotive engineer and designer, has reached yet another critical milestone. Before the first client cars are constructed, the first Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival prototype - an exact replica of Giotto Bizzarrini's first car under his own name – has gone out on the road for final endurance testing.

The 5300 GT Corsa Revival is the most faithful interpretation of the 5300 GT available, built at Bizzarrini's dedicated facility in the United Kingdom. Some major upgrades have been introduced with modern safety rules in mind, built using original designs, using materials from original suppliers, and with feedback from professionals who were previously involved in the 5300 GT project. The original car's fuel tanks were hidden deep in the sills and behind the driver, for example, but Bizzarrini engineers have now created an intricately shaped tank, filling the available void in the chassis to tolerances and accuracy not available to the original designers, thanks to advanced 3D scanning. The overall gasoline capacity is lowered by only a few liters, to 95 liters.

Paintwork

This car's paintwork exemplifies the careful devotion to authenticity. The color known as Rosso Corsa has a long and complicated history, with numerous hues claiming to be the original. The Bizzarrini crew hunted found a paint color sample from an original panel that had been shielded from light since it was first painted to ensure the automobile looked exactly as it would have in period, fully conserving Bizzarrini Rosso Corsa. Rosso Corsa Bizzarrini 222 was created by color-matching this tint to the Revival.

The 5300 GT Corsa was conceived by Giorgetto Giugiaro and refined by Piero Drogo of Carrozzeria Sports Cars as a high-performance variation of the Bizzarrini-engineered Iso Grifo A3C. The 5300 GT was light, fast, and dependable, thanks to its tried-and-true V8 engine.

Chassis 0222 is possibly the most famous 5300 GT, thanks to its performance in the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hour Race. Regis Fraissinet and Jean de Mortemart, two French racing drivers, won the over 5-liter class at Le Mans that summer, finishing tenth overall. Chassis 0222 not only won the race with an average speed of 169 km/h, but Giotto Bizzarrini also drove the car back to Northern Italy right thereafter. The livery inspiration for the 5300 GT Revival Corsa prototype comes from this famous car, capturing the essence of a bygone era of high-performance race cars and the intellect behind them.

Suspension

Giotto Bizzarrini added unique independent rear suspension and pushed the front-mounted engine as far back in the chassis as feasible while significantly altering the Corsa for track driving. Against many modern front-heavy automobiles, this novel approach to weight distribution proved to be a significant advantage. Modern measurements show that each corner of the Revival holds 25% of its overall weight, demonstrating Giotto Bizzarrini's visionary skill in designing a car in 1965 that still achieves perfect balance in 2022.

Each of the 24 cars in the Revival series will be hand-built, with a lightweight single-piece composite body atop a steel frame. Inside, a more thorough six-point roll bar and safety fuel cell protect the two seats, ensuring compliance with FIA Appendix K historic racing requirements. The Revival has been tested and found to be somewhat more stiff than original specimens. A period-specific 5,300 cubic centimeter V8 with Weber 45 DCOE (Doppio Corpo Orizzontale E) carburetors and all-around disc brakes is combined with a period-specific 5,300 cubic centimeter V8 with Weber 45 DCOE (Doppio Corpo Orizzontale E) carburetors producing between over 400 horsepower. The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Revival Corsa has a remarkable power-to-weight ratio at under 1250 kg.

Giotto Bizzarrini's capacity to push the boundaries of modern engineering was one of his most important assets. The original 5300 GT made considerable use of glass fiber, which was the strongest lightweight material available at the time. "We believe Giotto Bizzarrini would almost probably have used carbon fiber in his racing cars if it had been available," said Richard Quinlan, Bizzarrini's COO. "As a result, customers who do not need to comply with Historic Racing regulations will be able to order the 5300 GT Revival Corsa with a full carbon fiber bodyshell as standard."

Designed for Racing

The 5300 GT Revival Corsa will be the first Bizzarrini vehicle in over 15 years. A total of 24 client cars will be manufactured after the development prototype is completed, each offering the most authentic contemporary version of the 1965 Le Mans class-winner. Each Bizzarrini 5300 GT Revival Corsa is built to be driven and may be customized to the customer's exact needs. "Of course, the automobile is designed for racing," Richard Quinlan explained, "but we will be able to accommodate any customer who desires to drive this fantastic car on the road."

"We have an ambitious long-term strategy for the Bizzarrini brand, and the 5300GT Corsa Revival serves as either an introduction or a reminder of the illustrious past of Bizzarrini," said Simon Busby, Bizzarrini CMO. During endurance testing, the automobile performed admirably, providing the same adrenaline-fueled driving experience as Giotto Bizzarrini's original concept. We're now improving the first technical and design suggestions for our modern supercar as we finish the process of constructing automobiles for our customers all around the world. This will be a Bizzarrini for a new age, developed with cutting-edge technology with the mentality, passion, and ideals of our founding brilliance."

Giotto Bizzarrini is most known for designing the legendary Lamborghini V12 engine, which debuted on Lamborghini's first model, the 350 GT. The engine proved to be such an attractive design that Lamborghini continued to employ parts of it until 2010. Giotto was also instrumental in the development of the famed Ferrari 250 GTO and the superior aerodynamics for the legendary Ferrari 250-based 'Breadvan.'

Giotto's time at Ferrari came to an abrupt end during the 'Night of the Long Knives' or 'The Palace Revolt,' one of the most devastating periods in Ferrari's history. According to legend, four of Ferrari's finest engineers, including Giotto, rose out against Enzo Ferrari's management of the company and the dismissal of commercial director Girolami Gardini. Il Commendatore retaliated by firing at them as well. Giotto's decision to enter his vehicle in the 1965 Le Mans race, where it won its class, was partially motivated by a desire to settle a score with Ferrari.