18 Jan 06
Giotto Bizzarrini is a legend in the world of performance sports cars.
A test driver, engineer and carmaker, he is the man behind such cars as the Ferrari 250 GTO and the Testa Rossa, the Iso Rivolta GT, the Iso Grifo and the American Motors AMX/3. He is also the designer of the V12 engine used by Lamborghini in the 350 GTV and the builder of numerous prototypes that bear his own name, such as the Competizione P538, the Duca d'Aosta and the GT Strada 5300.
Bizzarrini was born into a wealthy landowning family in Quercianella that for generations had produced engineers. After World War II the tradition was continued, with young Giotto being sent to the University of Pisa. His design thesis involved the redesign of a second-hand Fiat Topolino, modifying the engine and moving it as far back as he could for optimum weight distribution and also tackled the road-holding. His professors were impressed and Bizzarrini graduated from the university in 1953 as a mechanical engineer.
Going to work for Alfa Romeo, he wanted more than anything to work in the motor department, but instead was assigned to chassis design, before moving on to the experimental department.
