Assetto Corsa: 1965 Bizzarrini 5300 GT at Gnoo Blas

Giotto Bizzarrini graduated from the University of Pisa in 1953 with a degree in Engineering. For his design thesis, he re-engineered a Fiat Topolino. Of particular interest was his moving the engine of the car back towards the center of mass, drastically improving the handling of the car.

His first noteworthy job was in 1954, working for Alfa Romeo on their Giulietta project. Although the Giulietta would become successful in the 60's, Bizzarrini was disappointed in the initial performance of the car. He spent the next 2 years primarily as a test driver, working on prototypes. In 1957, Bizzarrini heard that Enzo Ferrari was looking for test drivers to help develop Ferrari's Sportscar and GT program. Bizzarrini jumped at the opportunity, and within a year, had moved from simple test driver to project leader. Over the next 5 years, Bizzarrini was the primary designer and test driver for the 250 GT 2+2, 250 Testa Rossa, 250 GT SWB, and finally, the 250 GTO.

The GTO in particular featured all of his trademark design traits, including an extremely low drag front end, with the engine placed as close to center in the chassis as possible. By 1961, while the GTO was still in testing, an issue began to emerge at the Ferrari factory. Becoming quite annoyed by Enzo's wife Laura, who was "constantly interfering" with their work, 8 of the highest ranking employees, including Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini, staged a walkout in an effort to have Laura Ferrari removed from their workspace. Enzo ignored their pleas and fired all of them.

This group formed Automobili Turismo Sport, with the intention of outdoing Ferrari both in Formula 1, as well as GT and Sportscar racing. The project was initially well backed, with money from Count Giovanni Volpi, but after one sportscar (the ATS 2500 GT) and the miserable failure of the ATS Tipo 100 in Formula 1, Bizzarrini left midway through 1962.

Loaning himself out as a freelancer, Bizzarrini was responsible for designing Lamborghini's first V-12 engine, as well as redesigning Count Volpi's personal 250 SWB into the now famous Ferrari Breadvan (with the help of Piero Drogo). In 1964 Bizzarrini moved to Iso Rivolta, resulting in the Iso Rivolta GT, followed by the Iso Grifo. After again butting heads with his employer, Bizzarrini left Iso Rivolta to make a better version of the Grifo.

Still using a 5.3 liter Chevy Corvette engine, the aerodynamics were re designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and raced in the same class as the 7 Liter Ford GT40 during the 1965 World Sportscar Championship. By simply outliving the GT40's, the Bizzarrini team were able to win the over 5 liter class at Le Mans, but faded into obscurity afterwards. The Bizzarrini factory produced 133 of the 5300 GT road car before folding in 1969, at which point Giotto went back to freelancing. He designed multiple prototypes for AMC and GM, of which none were greenlit, and served as a consultant for Pininfarina, before becoming a engineering professor at Rome University.

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