This
1968 concept car was the starting point for what would become one of
the world's most famous auto design firms, Ital Design. Just as amazing and bizarre as the car itself is the fact that it was lost -- as in just plain misplaced -- for almost a decade.
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Bizzarinni P538. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1RUk8ko) |
The
Bizzarrini Manta was based on a race car, the Bizzarinni P538. Car
designer Giorgetto Giugaro, who had worked for several Italian
automakers and design houses, saw the retired racer as his chance to
strike out on his own.
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1968 Bizzarrini Manta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1RUk8ko) |

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Left side view of 1968 Bizzarrini Manta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1RUk8ko) |
For
the driver, getting in involves opening one of the very, very long
doors, sitting in the passenger seat and sliding across into the
driver's seat. Getting over the gearshift lever is, surprisingly, no
problem.
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Interior view of 1968 Bizzarrini Manta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1RUk8ko) |
Since
this is a concept car, the seats and steering aren't adjustable leaving
an average-sized driver in the awkward position of having the steering
wheel between his knees.
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Rear side view of 1968 Bizzarrini Manta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1RUk8ko) |
Despite
its Italian roots, the Manta is Detroit-powered. Behind the passenger
compartment is a 400 horsepower 5.4-liter Chevrolet V8 engine. With the
engine in the back rather than the front, designer Giugario decided to
simply let the car's shape flow from its engineering.
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A 400 hp 5.4-liter Chevrolet V8 engine in the 1968 Bizzarrini Manta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1MnaORG) |
He
didn't give the Manta a needlessly long hood or try to hide its long
back end. Instead, the car's profile follows a clean, simple line up
over the engine and the passenger compartment then down to the ground in
front.
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