1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada

If you’re anything like us here at The Coolector, you’ll be particularly partial to 1960s vehicles and this is even more the case when they look like this extraordinary 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada going under the hammer with RM Sotheby’s as part of their Guikas Collection Auction. This stunning looking steed is one of a mere 86 examples that were built in aluminium so you’ll be in mighty exclusive company if you’re the one lucky enough to get your hands on this lot by the time the hammer goes down.

The 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada from RM Sotheby’s has a pretty eye-watering guide price of €750,000 – €950,000 EUR so you’ll undoubtedly need to be serious about your classic car collecting (with deep pockets to boot) if you want to add this majestic looking machine to your line up. It has been under the same ownership from 1990 to 2017 and it is presented in remarkably good condition – another reason it might just go for close to a million Euros during this RM Sotheby’s auction.

SENSATIONAL CONDITION

It’s not often that a vehicle that is over half a century old will look as good as this magical 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada from RM Sotheby’s. One of the principle reasons that it looks so good is the fact that it has subject to an extensive restoration by a former Bizzarrini employee who has painstakingly restored it to its former glory and it looks as good (if not better) than it did when it first rolled off the assembly line all those years ago. The lot is supplied with a copy of the original 1968 U.S. title, spare wheel, jack, and hammer – all of which adds to the authenticity of this amazing lot.

The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada was one impressive machine for the era and came equipped with independent front suspension, a rear axle by de Dion, four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes, and a limited-slip differential. Early examples were powered by a 5.4-litre Chevrolet small block V-8, fed fuel by three Weber carburettors, with later versions being equipped with the 7.0-litre example and a Holley carburettor. The Strada was capable of delivering 365 horsepower and 284 ft lb of torque, and was able to hit speeds of 62 mph in less than seven seconds, with a top speed of 174 mph.

This particular Strada available from RM Sotheby’s was first registered in Maryland, USA, on 8 May 1968 to James Peters, who paid $35,000 for the car, a price more than double what a standard GT Ferrari cost at that time. In April 1990, chassis number IA30309 was purchased by Hervé Ogliastro who sent the car to Salvatore Diomante – a man formerly in charge of running the Bizzarrini factory – for a full restoration and the end results are, as you can see, astounding. In 1997, the Bizzarrini had completed its extensive restoration and was displayed at the Bagatelle concours d’élegance.

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Images: Peter Singhof.