Bizzarrini GT America 2+2: A Rare One-Off Grand Tourer

Unrepeatable Beauty - As on several occasions ago, we have discussed in the previous article about several car models made by Bizzarrini S.p.A.the Italian automotive company, and one of them, the legendary Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada. Coincidentally while surfing on the internet, we came across images of a rather special 2+2 GT prototype by the Livorno-based manufacturer—an eye-catching creation that seems to carry the same DNA as the brand's most iconic model.

The Bizzarrini GT America 2+2 is a grand tourer style and designed specifically for the American market without compromising any quality of the 5300 GT Strada. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

Enter the Bizzarrini GT America 2+2—a rare gem of a grand tourer that speaks volumes about Bizzarrini’s passion for blending performance, design, and exclusivity. Built with the American market in mind, this one-off prototype retains the spirit of the 5300 GT Strada but adapts it into something slightly more practical, yet equally striking. 

The Bizzarrina GT America 2+2 exhibits many hallmarks of Bizzarrini 5300 road cars as well as Iso Rivolta and Grifo models, but with a more modern (though no less interesting) body. (Picture from: StuartParrClassics)

At a glance, it’s easy to recognize that this car draws heavy inspiration from its siblings. Its overall shape and stance channel the same vibe found in the Iso Rivolta and Iso Grifo, and that’s no coincidence. After all, the GT America 2+2 shares its roots with the Strada, but with an evolution in form that hints at a more modern, fluid bodyline. Although the car’s exact designer is a mystery, the flowing curves and smart proportions whisper the possible touch of Frua—one of Italy’s most imaginative coachbuilders of the era. 

The Bizzarrini GT America 2+2 features such modified lightweight aluminum bodywork to accommodate the rear seats. (Picture from: StuartParrClassics)

The most defining feature of the GT America 2+2 is, of course, its cabin configuration. The addition of rear seats transforms this model into a proper grand tourer. But let’s be honest—they’re more “occasional” seats than daily-use ones. Perhaps suitable for children, small adults, or weekend luggage, the rear bench doesn’t compromise the car’s sleek silhouette, thanks to a cleverly modified lightweight aluminum body.

 

Coated in a refined champagne metallic finish, the car oozes understated elegance. That luxurious feel carries into the interior, where brown leather upholstery and matching carpeting add warmth and sophistication to the cabin. Every detail, though subtle, contributes to an aura of craftsmanship rarely seen in prototypes.

The Bizzarrini GT America 2+2's interior flourished with brown genuine leather and carpet of the same colors. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

Beneath its sculpted body, the car is just as serious. With a 2,450 mm wheelbase, the GT America 2+2 features independent front suspension, a de Dion rear axle, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Its performance credentials are further solidified by the 5,354 cc Chevrolet Corvette V8 resting under the hood—a familiar engine choice for Bizzarrini. Fed by a single four-barrel carburetor and paired with a Borg-Warner 4-speed manual gearbox, the engine delivers a solid 355 hp to the rear wheels, pushing this beauty to speeds nearing 180 mph. For a prototype grand tourer from the late 1960s, those are numbers worth a second glance.

The Bizzarrini GT America 2+2 is powered by an 5,354 cc Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine, coupled with a single four-barrel carburetor, and Borg Warner four-speed manual gearbox. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

Its one and only public debut took place at the 1968 Turin Auto Show, where it surely left enthusiasts wide-eyed and curious. According to Stuart Parr Classics, this unique machine has only had two owners—one of them being none other than Giotto Bizzarrini himself. It’s the kind of ownership history that turns a rare car into a legend.

The Bizzarrini GT America 2+2 made its first public appearance at the Turin Auto Show 1968, never entered the company's production lines after that. (Picture from: StuartParrClassics)

Sadly, the GT America 2+2 never made it to production. It remained a showpiece, a statement, a peek into what Bizzarrini might have done next. And while it may not have sparked a new product line, it continues to shine as a brilliant expression of automotive artistry—one that Bizzarrini himself occasionally enjoyed on scenic drives. 

Though the spotlight may always shine brightest on the 5300 GT Strada, the GT America 2+2 deserves its own share of admiration. It’s a reminder that even one-off creations can tell powerful stories—of innovation, of ambition, and of a legacy built not just on speed, but on style and soul.😄 *** [EKA [11092022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BIZZARRINI | STUARTPARRCLASSICS | BRINGATRAILER | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | MYCARREQUEST ]

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