1964 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada
1964 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada
Brand
Bizzarrini
Year
1964
Country
Italy
Generation
5300
1964 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada
Brand
Bizzarrini
Year
1964
Country
Italy
Generation
5300
About this car
Discover the history
The 1964 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada is a remarkable Italian grand tourer, designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, one of the most influential engineers of his era. Known for blending high-performance engineering with sleek, aggressive styling, the 5300 GT Strada is a product of Bizzarrini’s rich history in motorsport and engineering, having worked with Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Iso before founding his own marque. This car stands as a testament to Bizzarrini’s vision of creating a road-going car with racing pedigree.
The origins of the 5300 GT Strada can be traced to Bizzarrini’s involvement with Iso, where he helped develop the Iso Grifo A3/C, a race car built to compete at Le Mans. After splitting from Iso, Bizzarrini continued to evolve this car under his own name, leading to the creation of the 5300 GT Strada, which was essentially a street-legal version of the race car. The model aimed to offer race-car-like performance in a more refined, road-friendly package, all while maintaining the aggressive looks and superior handling of its competition roots.
The 5300 GT Strada was powered by a Chevrolet-sourced 5.3-liter V8 engine, a popular choice for independent Italian manufacturers due to its reliability and power. The engine produced around 365 horsepower, propelling the car to a top speed of over 170 mph. Thanks to its lightweight aluminum body and fiberglass components, the 5300 GT Strada had an excellent power-to-weight ratio, which translated into outstanding acceleration and nimble handling. The car could accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds, which was highly competitive for its time.
Technically, the 5300 GT Strada was advanced, featuring a tubular steel frame for rigidity and a fully independent suspension system. The front suspension used double wishbones, while the rear was a De Dion setup, providing excellent stability and handling, particularly at high speeds. This combination made the car not only fast in a straight line but also capable in corners, a crucial trait for a grand tourer designed to handle both road and track environments.
The design of the 5300 GT Strada is aggressive and purposeful, with a low, wide stance, long hood, and sweeping fastback rear. The car’s lines were penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro during his time at Bertone, and they remain iconic to this day. The interior, though sparse and focused on driving, was comfortable enough for long-distance touring, making it a true grand tourer in the classic sense.
Though not produced in large numbers, with only around 133 examples built, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada has earned a cult following due to its rarity, stunning looks, and incredible performance. It remains a highly sought-after collector’s car, symbolizing the best of 1960s Italian automotive engineering and design. Its blend of American power with Italian style and handling made it a unique car that could hold its own against the Ferraris and Maseratis of the era.
