Photography by: Sam Chick (@samchickphotography)
Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa ‘Revival’ – One-of-one 60th Anniversary Edition
Location: Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Chassis/VIN: 24/65
Mileage: New vehicle – delivery mileage
Colour: Nero Sessanta
THE CAR
As part of its Private Sales initiative, in partnership with Bizzarrini, Petrolicious is proud to offer a unique, one-of-one, collector-grade Bizzarrini 5300GT Corsa ‘Revival’. As the ‘Revival’ name suggests, this Bizzarrini faithfully represents the car that roared to a class win at the famous 24hrs of Le Mans in 1965. This example is the 21st of 24 vehicles hand-assembled at Bizzarrini’s brand-new Nottinghamshire manufacturing plant, where the company is putting together their first on-brand vehicles in nearly six decades.
Realizing the 5300 GT Corsa ‘Revival’ was no small feat: Giotto Bizzarrini’s hand-annotated blueprints, extensive studying of the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner chassis 0222, three-dimensional scans and even traditional craftsmanship and workmanship techniques training were put forward.
The 60th Anniversary Edition was conceived by Scuderia Bizzarrini to recognize the 60th anniversary of the inception of the manufacturer in Livorno Italy in 1964: this represents a truly unique investment in automotive history.
ENGINE
The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival and the original 1965 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada share the same engine lineage, utilizing a Chevrolet-sourced 5.3-liter V8 engine. Both engines are nearly identical, with the revival model using period-specific components such as Weber 45 DCOE carburetors to maintain historical accuracy. This engine setup allows the revival car to produce over 400 horsepower, comparable to the original, which also used a Chevrolet V8 and was capable of around 400-480 horsepower depending on its tuning for race specifications.
While the engines are fundamentally the same, the revival model benefits from modern tuning and engineering refinements to ensure reliability and performance that meet contemporary standards. These updates include improved fuel delivery systems and enhanced cooling solutions, ensuring the engine operates efficiently under modern driving conditions.
Thus, while the core engine remains true to the original’s design, the revival model incorporates subtle enhancements to provide a balance of historical authenticity and modern performance.
TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION, BRAKES
Transmission:
The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival retains the 4-speed manual transmission used in the original 1965 model. This gearbox, sourced from Borg-Warner, is known for its robustness and straightforward mechanical design. The revival model’s transmission has been refined for modern reliability and smoother operation, while maintaining the same tactile, mechanical feel. The gear lever, inscribed with Roman numerals, is a distinctive touch that adds to the historical authenticity of the driving experience.
Brakes:
Both the original and the revival Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa feature all-round disc brakes, which were advanced for their time in the 1960s. The revival model, however, benefits from modern braking technology. These contemporary disc brakes provide improved stopping power, reliability, and heat dissipation compared to the original setup.
Suspension:
The suspension system in the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival closely follows the design of the original, featuring all-independent suspension with double wishbones. This setup was innovative at the time and remains a key component of the car’s handling characteristics. The revival model incorporates modern materials and engineering techniques to enhance handling and ride comfort. These advancements result in a chassis that offers better stability, responsiveness, and overall performance compared to the original. The updated suspension system ensures that the revival model delivers a driving experience that is both faithful to the 1965 car and capable of meeting the demands of contemporary driving.
OUR THOUGHTS
The original Bizzarrini 5300GT Corsa from the 1960s is truly the stuff of automotive dreams. Unfortunately, despite even the deepest pockets, acquiring one of these rare masterpieces remains nearly impossible. Only around 100 to 149 units were produced, with approximately 50 chassis converted into actual cars by Giotto Bizzarrini himself after he took over production from Iso Griffo. This makes them exceptionally scarce and highly coveted among collectors and enthusiasts. Furthermore, much fewer exist today, nearly 60 years after their assembly was completed.
For those yearning to experience this legendary machine, the Bizzarrini 5300GT Corsa ‘Revival’ offers a faithful recreation, capturing the spirit and essence of the original, while adhering to modern safety and performance standards.
