Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival

The Giorgetto Giugiaro designed Bizzarrini 5300 GT is due a new release in a very limited run in the form of the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival – a homage to the much-loved race car that in 1965 won the Le Mans 24 Hours. That famous race vehicle was piloted by French pair, Regis Fraissinet and Jean de Mortemart, who took the over 5-litres win in ‘Chassis 0222’, racing at an average speed of 105mph. Now, if you’re looking for clues in those numbers as to how many limited edition Bizzarrini 5300 GT models will be built – sadly it’s the lower number – 24.

Bizzarrini was founded in the 1960s by a former Ferrari and Alfa Romeo engineer by the name of Giotto Bizzarrini, and the company went on to make some very well respected and advanced racing cars for around 9 years. Two years ago, the rights to the Bizzarrini name were acquired by Pegasus Brands, who say that they plan to (wisely) release models that encapsulate the past heritage of the brand. So this is the new Bizzarrini company’s impressive introduction to that classic sixties race heritage.

There are some smile-inducing details in here; like the fact that Bizzarrini managed to trace the original blueprints for the car, and also took the time to find and speak to some of the original individuals involved in the building. They also managed to trace an original panel that was free from UV damage, enabling the team to reproduce the exact shade of Rosso Corsa colouring for the revival car.

There’s been quite a few tweaks to that original vehicle under the bodywork; The 5300 GT Corsa Revival gets disc brakes, the fuel tank has been moved to a better location and a roll-bar now protects both driver and passenger. Uprated independent rear suspension is a feature. The engine has been carefully considered too, and the result is a V8 5.3-litre engine that has been described as ‘period specific’ – it even has Weber 45 DCOE carbs. The result of this is a beautiful looking car that looks rather timeless and can push out a healthy 400bhp, though no word on its top speed as yet. The fine looking carbon-fibre body sits on a lightweight tubular steel frame, keeping weight to a minimum at 1250kg and providing excellent power to weight ratio. Each car will be hand-built.

Bizzarrini says that the 5300 GT Corsa Revival rides the same thin line between a road going car and a track car – just as the Bizzarrini models of the sixties did – and serves as both an introduction and reminder of Bizzarrini automobiles past, present, and future. The car can also be designed to meet current FIA specs allowing for competition racing.

I suspect those 24 models will sell fast and despite first deliveries expected from May, there’s no word on what pricing might look like yet. The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival certainly appears to have everything that would make it a must have for those who might be in the market for a carefully respectful retro racer with a modern touch.

Images: bizzarrini.com, @bizzarrinidesign