P 538 Bizzarrini the most bad ass unknown car | FerrariChat

P 538 Bizzarrini the most bad ass unknown car

Discussion in 'Other Italian' started by velocetwo, Dec 10, 2011.

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  1. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    Only a handful of P538's were made, but they may be the most bad ass car made during their era. Beautiful body by Giugiaro, Chassis by Bizzarrini and powered by the mid engined 327 Corvette with cross over Webers, what could be better? This is a mans machine and was capable of conquering europe in the LeMans and then the CAN AM in the America's. It doesn't get much better than this.
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    velocetwo, Dec 10, 2011
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  2. carvad

    carvad Formula Junior

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    Fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing.

    Please could you add more info about 1st and 3rd pics? S/n, year, location?
     
    carvad, Dec 10, 2011
    #2
  3. JeremyJon

    JeremyJon F1 Veteran

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    JeremyJon, Dec 10, 2011
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  4. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    Picture 1 car 001 at Spianate autodrome

    Picture 3 at the Cartasi factory 538 in gel coat unpainted
     
    velocetwo, Dec 10, 2011
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  5. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    velocetwo, Dec 10, 2011
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  6. Grifo

    Grifo Rookie

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    It´s a magnificent car but I still prefer the front-engined Bizzarrini 5300 -
    I don´t know if the P538 was a better car for racing but the men driving it
    was scared to death in high speed races.
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Grifo, Dec 10, 2011
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  7. Mang

    Mang F1 Veteran

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    I did some car trading with Jim Phelan of Virginia back in the late 80's...early 90's when he owned the Lambo powered v-12 red car, it was the pinnacle of what was his very nice car collection.
     
    Mang, Dec 10, 2011
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  8. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    Well... 400 HP mid engine, and with less weight, I am sure it was a handful , but so was the 917 porsche. I think a lot of men that were not used to mid engined cars had to re learn racing.

    Bizzarrini just didn't have the time to engineer it like the A3C. At that time he built the hard top P538, the Europa, and the 2+2 also.


    Looks pretty smooth here....

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPleuClyAdA[/ame]
     
    velocetwo, Dec 10, 2011
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  9. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9ruKLcCqpk&feature=related[/ame]
     
    velocetwo, Dec 10, 2011
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  10. oss117

    oss117 F1 Rookie

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    Thank you for sharing!
    Without a doubt a masterpiece of engineering and practicality combined in a beautiful machine.
     
    oss117, Dec 11, 2011
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  11. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    Bizzarrini had the right idea, Ford just hired a hundred engineers and spent tens of millions to perfect it in the GT40.
     
    velocetwo, Dec 11, 2011
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  12. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    velocetwo, Dec 12, 2011
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  13. GIOTTO

    GIOTTO F1 Rookie Consultant

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    GIOTTO, Dec 12, 2011
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  14. carvad

    carvad Formula Junior

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    Thank you for clarification
     
    carvad, Dec 12, 2011
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  15. carvad

    carvad Formula Junior

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    Would love to know how many original P538 still exist. Where they are located?

    And what correct info about Bizzarrini Manta? Is Manta ex-538 or this car was build with unused parts from Bizzarrini P538?
     
    carvad, Dec 12, 2011
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  16. Ney

    Ney F1 Veteran Silver Subscribed

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    Ney, Dec 12, 2011
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  17. tajaro

    tajaro Formula Junior

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    Wasn't there a beautiful Bizzarinni with Lamborghini V12 at the Simeone museum in the annex? Stunning car... Next to the mid engine 365 "Dino" like mid engine Ferrari 1 off ( or maybe 2).
     
    tajaro, Dec 12, 2011
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  18. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

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    Why is the Bizzarrini facing the wrong direction?, has he spun it or something?

    Pete
     
    PSk, Dec 12, 2011
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  19. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    All but one or two, I agree with others that the Manta was built from parts.
     
    velocetwo, Dec 12, 2011
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  20. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    The driver spun it.
     
    velocetwo, Dec 12, 2011
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  21. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    It needs some updating, or you can read Jack Koobs De Hartogs books.

    Just for the record IMO Bizzarrini was better than most marketing people in Italy, he knew what would sell, and didn't make one production machine that wasn't totally sexy. His company was brought down by the investors. If he had a business fault it was not knowing his investors well enough.
     
    velocetwo, Dec 12, 2011
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  22. Olivier NAMECHE

    Olivier NAMECHE F1 Veteran

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    WONDERFULL books, the last one is all about P538...best author about Bizzarrini !!!
     
    Olivier NAMECHE, Dec 13, 2011
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  23. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    Agreed and a true gentleman.
     
    velocetwo, Dec 13, 2011
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  24. Floyd

    Floyd Karting

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    What an awkward moment this must have been... and dangerous!
     
    Floyd, Dec 14, 2011
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  25. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    velocetwo, Dec 14, 2011
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