Giotto Bizzarrini - Legendary Italian Engineer - Passes Away at 96 - AllCarIndex
Giotto Bizzarrini was an Italian engineer who made a significant impact in the automotive industry. He is best known for his work as a designer and engineer of some of the most iconic Italian sports cars of the 1960s, including the Ferrari 250 GTO, the Lamborghini Miura, and the Iso Grifo.
Bizzarrini's love for cars began at a young age, and he studied mechanical engineering at the University of Pisa. After graduation, he joined Alfa Romeo, where he worked on some of the company's most important models, including the 1900 and the Giulietta. He then moved to Ferrari, where he played a crucial role in the development of the 250 GT, which went on to win multiple races and championships.
In 1961, Bizzarrini left Ferrari to start his own company, Automobili Turismo e Sport (ATS). The company produced a limited number of sports cars, including the ATS 2500 GT, which was praised for its handling and performance. However, financial difficulties led to the closure of ATS in 1964.
Bizzarrini then joined Iso Rivolta, where he designed the Iso Grifo, a stunning sports car that combined Italian styling with American muscle. The Grifo was powered by a Chevrolet V8 engine, and it quickly gained a reputation as one of the fastest and most desirable cars of the era.
Despite his success at Iso, Bizzarrini was not content to rest on his laurels. He continued to design and engineer cars, and in the 1970s, he founded Bizzarrini S.p.A., which produced a range of sports cars, including the Bizzarrini P538 and the Bizzarrini Manta.
Bizzarrini's contributions to the automotive industry are numerous and significant. His designs and engineering innovations helped to define the sports car genre, and his legacy continues to inspire car enthusiasts and engineers around the world. His commitment to quality, performance, and style is evident in every car he worked on, and his passion for the art of engineering is an inspiration to us all. Giotto Bizzarrini was a true visionary, and his impact on the automotive industry will be felt for generations to come.