by Mike Gulett –
Word on the street (really the internet) is that there is a new effort to revive the Bizzarrini automotive brand. Remember Giotto Bizzarrini was the engineer behind the Ferrari 250 GTO – today the most valuable car model in the world. But it is reported that Ing. Bizzarrini is not involved but another report says he has approved (I do not know what that means). Giotto Bizzarrini lost the rights to his company name years ago so he has no say in what happens to a new Bizzarrini car company.
Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada
Those who are involved are: Dr. Ulrich Bez, who served as Aston Martin’s CEO from 2000-2013 will serve as chairman of Bizzarrini, chief executive officer Christopher Sheppard – formerly the head of Aston Martin’s Middle East and North Africa division – chief marketing officer Janette Green, who served as Aston’s Communications Director for nearly a decade and Rezam Al Roumi, who helped finance Aston Martin’s rescue when Ford sold it. The old Aston Martin gang is getting back together.
But what does this mean really?
Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada
The original Bizzarrini cars were made not only with the over site and engineering expertise of Giotto Bizzarrini but also the expertise of engineers and management at Iso Rivolta with styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone. Certainly some of the best people making sports and race cars in the 1960s.
Other expired car brands have been revived in recent years like Bugatti by Volkswagen and Mini by BMW. Both were out of business for many years and brought back by large car companies with lots of money to invest. In my opinion the BMW Mini is a success because BMW implemented a design philosophy similar to the original Mini and the styling reminded us of the original Mini. The VW Bugatti super cars were less of a success, in my opinion, they do not remind me of the original Bugattis expect for the grille shape.
How does a group of car executives revive a cherished car brand? It will remain to be seen. For now there are no details on what this new group is planning to do but it has been reported they may start with special collector cars that would sell for around 1 million pounds sterling ($ 1.32 million USD).
Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada – art by Wallace Wyss – contact the artists for availability information at malibucarart@gmail.com
As a former owner of a spectacular Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada (still featured on the My Car Quest logo at the top of this page) I am hopeful this new venture will be a success.
My concern is that a connection to the original Bizzarrini company is important beyond just the rights to the name.
Stay tuned.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
P.S.,
A few years ago at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance I ran into a gentleman who claimed to own the rights to the Bizzarrini brand. I was able to find his business card today and it is shown below (I have obscured his contact information to protect his privacy).
I do wonder if he is involved in this new venture in some way.
Ghepardo GT was the last time somebody tired to propose a modern Bizzarrini but in this side by side picture of that you can see they lessened side window height, made the whole car wider, taller and seem to have two grilles. I hope this new venture sticks to the original styling.
sorry side by side picture wouldn’t cross over to here
If De Tomaso is coming back, and TVR is coming back, and Jaguar and Aston Martin can do “continuation series” of their ancient classics, Bizzarrini came come back as well. Everything old is new again, especially in this age of incredibly boring SUVs. Glenn in the Bronx, NY.
I think with electric platform chassis and a liberal interpretation of bodywork a lot of sports cars of legend can be brought back but it won’t be he same without the rhumpa-rhumpa under the hood, (recordings?)
I think with electric platform chassis and a liberal interpretation of bodywork a lot of sports cars of legend can be brought back but it won’t be the same without the rhumpa-rhumpa under the hood, (recordings?)
THEY MAY ALL BE COMING BACK, WHICH IS GOOD, BUT ONLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A PILE OF MONEY.
PS ; THE NEW MODEL LOOKS LIKE A OLDER FERRARI.. BUT A NICE RETRO LOOK.
That so called new model shown here was a flop. The new company with Bez will have a car to show but the question is how far will they go back?