by Mike –
The rock band, Coldplay, is providing the 2016 Super Bowl (American Football) halftime entertainment in Santa Clara, California on February 7. A few years ago I worked down the street from this new football stadium, which was not there at the time.
I now live in Carmel about a one and a half hour drive from the Super Bowl stadium and I have been told that the Monterey and Carmel area will have many visitors using the hotels and airports in order to attend the Super Bowl.
In April 2013 while on a trip to Italy, visiting with Iso and Bizzarrini friends, one day we had lunch with Giotto Bizzarrini in Livorno. One of the Bizzarrini fans who was there was Guy Berryman, the bass player for Coldplay.
I thought this would be an appropriate time to republish this post. I will be watching the Super Bowl, the commercials and the halftime show on TV.
Classic car lovers come from all walks of life and all points on the economic spectrum. When they get together to talk about cars these differences in backgrounds disappear and the love of the cars takes a front seat.
Guy Berryman and his Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada
I saw this in April 2013 at the lunch with Giotto Bizzarrini in Livorno, Italy. There were about forty Iso and Bizzarrini enthusiasts, some of who brought their cars. One of these cars was a silver Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada, chassis number IA3*0276, brought all the way from the UK by the new owner, Guy Berryman, the bass player for the rock band Coldplay.
Guy Berryman is removing the door panel to look for ID numbers
I have written about this Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada before when it was for sale in New York; it looks better in person than it did in the dealer photos. It is in nearly original condition and Guy Berryman told me he will do as little restoration as possible, maintaining as much originality as he can.
Don Meluzio helps Guy with the door panel
He also wants to return it to the original color and maintain the original interior which is a rare two color interior. This is all normal car lover stuff, no rock and roll paint job – just a sympathetic and correct restoration, the way most car lovers like it.
Car lovers talking about cars
Above, Guy gets a lot of attention because he owns a silver Bizzarrini GT 5300 – not because he’s a rock star.
In the classic car world the cars are the stars and some cars, like a silver Bizzarrini GT 5300, are the rock stars.
The cars and their owners
Two color interior and original steering wheel
Sharing a laugh
Above, Don Meluzio, on the right, (owner of a Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada and one of the three Bizzarrini Spyders) and Jack Koobs de Hartog, on the left, (author of several books about Bizzarrini cars) discuss Bizzarrini details with Guy.
Don and Guy inspecting the Bizzarrini GT 5300
The cars from a different view
I am looking forward to seeing Bizzarrini No. 0276 after the restoration is complete.
A beautiful site over the Mediterranean
Closing up the door panel
Ready to go home
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Lovely pictures and the right approach to restore the Bizzarini in its old glory. With Jack on board, I am sure that you have the right person to bring this car back in its original state!. I met Jack at his place in Belgium end of last year and have to admit that the way he takes care of the Bizzarini’s, is unique! Bravo!
I was just beginning to long for an article on a Bizzarrini. Good timing. The interior photo reminded these cars have Muncies and you don’t see the side mount shifters any more. It reminded me of my brother’s V8 Healey 104 from back in the 80s. Coldplay is a fine band. I wonder how many people at that meet listened to that type of music?
Thom,
Glad I could oblige with a just in time Bizzarrini post.
Many, maybe most, who attended the G. Bizzarrini lunch that day did not know a rock star was there until afterwards. But all knew there was a Bizzarrini GT 5300 out back overlooking the Mediterranean.
Took my car for a service in the Cotswolds today and guess what turned up Guy Berryman’s Bizzarrini. I could hardly believe my eyes. Apparently it was at the same garage for its MOT today. First time I have seen one live. This is a moment that I will never forget. My car was next to it. I should have taken a picture but was so excited I did not take one. Long live supercars and those of us who can just get a close up glimpse. Joy unlimited.
Very cool – if you take a photo and send it to me I will post it.