Images: Tom Gidden, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
This genuine Bizzarrini-built 1967 Bizzarrini P538 will be offered for sale for the first time in two decades at RM Sotheby’s’ upcoming Monterey sale.
The P538 came onto the scene in time for the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, when Giotto Bizzarrini entered a brand new, and utterly breathtaking machine. It featured a low and curvaceous body that just barely met FIA prototype regulations by providing “passenger seating” in a pod to the left of the dead center driving position, with a “luggage compartment” similarly provided to the right. Under the bonnet was a 5.3-litre Chevy V8.
Unfortunately the car was not able to live up to its promise. The company struggled financially and Bizzarrini was eventually forced into bankruptcy. Changes to European endurance racing regulations were similarly cruel to the P538.
The model soldiered on, however, with privateers in Can Am and Formila Libre disciplines interested in running it and Bizzarrini building a handful of customer cars to suit.
This particular car is believed to be the first of three cars built by Bizzarrini himself after his original run of seven cars built for Le Mans competition.
It was discovered in France in the early ’90s and purchased by Roger Hurst, who sold it to its current owner in 1995. He kept the car on the down low while the profile of Bizzarrini developed, eventually bringing in Bizzarrini expert Jack Koobs de Hartog to asses the car and its history.
Koobs de Hartog confirmed that the car matched the construction and materials of later Bizzarrini originals, photographing it in its pre-restoration condition. He took those photos to Bizzarrini himself, who confirmed his work saying that he had likely built the frame in the late ’60s with his wife Rosanna creating the work of art that is its bodywork.
The owner then began a complete restoration to period specification including sourcing a correct 5.3-litre Corvette engine, which itself would be rebuilt to specification. The result is immaculate.
This rare, quick and beautiful machine is in impeccable, race-ready shape and will be more than welcome at events around the world. It’ll head to auction at RM Sotheby’s’ Monterey sale over the 13th to 15th of August, 2015. For more information head to RM Sotheby’s’ official website here.
Images by Tom Gidden, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
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