Bizzarrini Sciabola: The Forgotten Supercar Born from AMC's Boldest Dream

Ghosted Glory - Sometimes, the most fascinating automotive stories are the ones that never fully unfolded. The world of cars is filled with legends that almost made it to our streets—concepts born from the ambition of dreamers and shaped by the hands of engineering giants. One of those elusive legends is the Bizzarrini Sciabola, a name that might not immediately ring a bell, but for enthusiasts who appreciate rare, almost-forgotten supercars, it's a machine that sparks curiosity, admiration, and just a little bit of heartbreak.

The Bizzarrini Sciabola emerged from the ashes of the AMX/3 as an even rarer creation, pieced together by Giotto Bizzarrini and his associate Salvatore Diomante using leftover parts and the body originally designed for the sixth AMX/3 prototype. (Picture from: Perico001 on Flickr)

Back in the early 1970s, American Motors Corporation (AMC) found itself in a tight spot. As one of the smaller players going head-to-head with the likes of GM, Ford, and Chrysler, AMC was always looking for that one big idea that could redefine its image. After years of modest success with models like the Rambler and the sportier Javelin, AMC decided to swing for the fences. That swing came in the form of the AMX series—compact, muscular cars designed to showcase American performance. But it was the AMX/3 that truly stood apart. Bold, exotic, and dripping with European style, this car had the potential to be a game-changer.

The Bizzarrini Sciabola emerged as a sleek, mid-engined supercar poised to rival the finest performance machines Europe had to offer. (Picture from: CarThatNeverMadeItEtc)

To bring their vision to life, AMC turned to one of Italy’s most brilliant engineers—Giotto Bizzarrini. Known for his work with Ferrari and Lamborghini, Bizzarrini was no stranger to building fast, beautiful machines. Tasked with turning the radical AMX/2 concept into a road-ready sports car, he got to work and created something truly special. The result was the AMX/3, a sleek, mid-engined supercar that looked ready to go toe-to-toe with anything from Europe. With a new gearbox from Italian firm Melara and final road testing by BMW, this wasn’t just another flashy prototype. It was the real deal.

The Bizzarrini Sciabola, now owned by Simon Vels in the Netherlands, has resurfaced as a beautifully preserved time capsule from a world of what-could-have-beens, with only one other name on its ownership record—Salvatore Diomante himself. (Picture from: CarThatNeverMadeItEtc)

Despite the promise it held, the timing just wasn’t right. AMC pulled the plug on the project shortly after Ford launched the DeTomaso Pantera—a car with similar styling, released just one day after the AMX/3. The Pantera’s competitive price and stronger backing made it an easier choice for buyers, and AMC couldn’t justify going forward. Only five AMX/3s were built before the project was shut down. But Bizzarrini wasn’t ready to let his creation vanish into obscurity.

The Bizzarrini Sciabola featured a steel body and was powered by a 390-cubic-inch, 340-horsepower V8 engine paired with an Italian-made OTO Melara five-speed transaxle. (Picture from: CarThatNeverMadeItEtc)

From the ashes of the AMX/3 rose something even rarer—the Bizzarrini Sciabola. Using leftover parts and a body designed for the sixth AMX/3 prototype, Bizzarrini, along with his associate Salvatore Diomante, pieced together one last example. Diomante, who had been plant manager at Automobili Bizzarrini, had just started his own company, Autofficina SD, and it was there the final car was born. With rear lights borrowed from a Fiat 850 Spider and various other modifications, the prototype was rebranded as the Sciabola and proudly exhibited at the 1976 Turin Motor Show.

The Bizzarrini Sciabola blended sharp, muscular lines with a mechanical soul built for speed, and although it mistakenly wore an AMX badge, its true identity as a Bizzarrini creation was unmistakable. (Picture from: CarThatNeverMadeItEtc)

It never made it to full production, but that didn’t make it any less remarkable. The lone Sciabola stood as a symbol of persistence and passion—a one-off supercar carrying the DNA of both American ambition and Italian craftsmanship. It blended sharp, muscular lines with a mechanical soul built for speed, and although it wore an AMX badge by mistake, its true identity as a Bizzarrini creation could never be denied.

The Bizzarrini Sciabola featured rear lights borrowed from a Fiat 850 Spider and various other modifications before being rebranded and proudly exhibited as a prototype at the 1976 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: HistoricCarAutoPro)

Today, the sixth and final AMX/3, originally intended as the first of the Sciabola line, lives on. Owned by Simon Vels in the Netherlands, it has resurfaced as a beautifully preserved time capsule from a world of what-could-have-beens. With just one other name on its ownership record—Salvatore Diomante himself—this car tells a unique story that can’t be replicated. | 5ctbJjQLrlU |

The Bizzarrini Sciabola might never have roared down highways in the numbers it deserved, but its legacy is sealed. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most unforgettable cars aren’t the ones that sold millions—but the ones that dared to be different, even if only once. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HISTORICARAUTOPRO | FASTESTLAP | DEVIANTART | PERICO001 ON FLICKR | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC | WEIRDWHEELS ON REDDIT | MYCARREQUEST ]

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