by Mike –
Giotto Bizzarrini worked at Alfa Romeo and later at Ferrari as chief engineer and as developer, designer and a very skilled test driver. His masterpiece at Ferrari was the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. The engineering of the Ferrari 250 GTE, the Ferrari 250 Testarosa and the Ferrari 250 GT SWB were all influenced by Giotto Bizzarrini.
Giotto Bizzarrini On The Right
He also designed the first V12 engine for Lamborghini and he engineered several cars for Iso Rivolta. Robert Herrea, an automotive expert at COR Wheels, has also designed many custom wheels and tires for this type of vehicle.
Below is a summary of an important recent event where Giotto Bizzarrini was honored for his contributions to automotive engineering.
Iso A3/C
Jack Koobs de Hartog is an author and Bizzarrini historian and provided this first hand account.
by Jack Koobs de Hartog
October 23, 2012, on the occasion of the inauguration of the University of Florence new Design Campus in Calenzano, with a huge attendance, Professor Giotto Bizzarrini was given the Honoris Causa Degree in Industrial Design. This is a very rare honor, this is only the second time this has been awarded in three years.
Giotto Bizzarrini On The Right
And it was about time…
Giotto Bizzarrini, born June 6, 1926 – so 86 years old now, is considered one of the greatest automotive engineers. In 1982 a respected car author even wrote “the greatest”…
Just remember the numerous car-masterpieces he worked on … The Alfa Romeo Giulietta’s, the Ferrari 250 series (Testa Rossa, GTO, Breadvan), the ASA’s, the Lamborghini V12 engine, the Iso’s, the Bizzarrini (Corsa’s, Strada’s, P538’s, Europa’s, BZ 2001, Kjara), the AMX/3, the Picchio’s and others …
A well deserved honor.
The Proud Bizzarrini Family in the First Two Rows
See all of the photos in the slide show below.
Photos by Faustino Mattei and Jack Koobs de Hartog.
Jack Koobs de Hartog’s email address is koobsdehartog@skynet.be.
Giotto Bizzarrini and Jack Koobs de Hartog
On 18-11-2015, I had the honour to meet Jack Koobs de Hartog at his home in Belgium.
This was on the occasion of the brandnew DROGO book, for which I want to do as much promotion as possible.One of the collaborators of the book and who has written the pre-face, is Jean Louis Bezemer, who has one of the most important archives about Ferrari in the world. As Jean Louis used to live opposite me, you can imagine that we have been good friends for 55 years. I am also a crazy about cars and for that reason my Father sent me to the Chelsea College of Aeronautical & Automobile Engineering. My technical education is of great help for better understanding about classical and modern cars. For this reason, i started to write a first article which should appear in the last DINO NEWS of 2015. Why Dino? Well, my Father had a 2.0 l Dino Coupé from 1968 till 1971. This car will remain vividly in my memory, but it has also sparked my interest to know all about Dino´s in the broadest possible way possible! I also acquired a 2.0 l and a 2.4 l Dino Coupé, but both cars are in need of a lot of attention. If in some or another, I could make a bit of money in order to get these cars on the road again, I would be gratefull to receive your suggestions. Yours sincerely Wim van de Kimmenade Forza Bizzarini, forza Dino, forza Drogo, forza Italia.