Singular Legend - Every now and then, the automotive world surprises us with a forgotten marvel—something bold, bizarre, and utterly unlike anything on today’s roads. While modern cars often favor practicality and polish, the 1970s were a breeding ground for wild ambition. Hidden in the shadows of that daring era is a machine so rare, it almost sounds mythical: the Bizzarrini P538 AMX/3 Spyder. A mid-engine enigma, this one-off convertible isn’t just rare—it’s a rolling contradiction of origins and intentions, a meeting point between Detroit horsepower and Italian finesse.
The Bizzarrini P538 AMX/3 Spyder was born when the ninth AMX/3 chassis, sold after AMC canceled the project in 1971, was transformed by renowned Cuneo-based restorer Giorgio Giordanengo into a custom, hand-built convertible completed around 1972. (Picture from: FastestLap)
The car was born from an unlikely collaboration between Italian engineering legend Giotto Bizzarrini and American Motors Corporation (AMC). AMC dreamed of a mid-engine sports car to rival Ferrari and Lamborghini. Bizzarrini, with his deep racing pedigree and visionary instincts, was tasked with the engineering of what would become the AMX/3. Though only a handful of coupes were completed, one chassis—believed to be the ninth—took a different path entirely. It would eventually become the Spyder, the only open-top version of the AMX/3 project.
The Bizzarrini P538 AMX/3 Spyder is visually striking, sitting low, wide, and purposeful with sleek lines and a stance that blends aggression and elegance. (Picture from: Perico001 on Flickr)
Initially, AMC explored several avenues for developing the AMX/3. ItalDesign was involved in its styling, while AMC also considered outsourcing production to Karmann in Germany, who had experience assembling AMC Javelins for the European market. However, their partner BMW reportedly declined the plan, citing a lack of resources and estimating a need for 30 to 32 engineers to bring the car to life. Some sources even suggest BMW internally designated the concept as the E18. Ultimately, following a recommendation from Renzo Carli of Pininfarina, AMC brought in Bizzarrini to carry out the basic engineering in late 1968. The prototype he developed would later be known as the Bizzarrini Sciabola.
The Bizzarrini P538 AMX/3 Spyder, despite minor dimensional differences that have sparked debate, remains firmly rooted in the original Bizzarrini-AMC design.(Picture from: WeirdWheels on Reddit)
But the story doesn’t end with Bizzarrini’s involvement. After AMC canceled the project in 1971, the ninth chassis didn’t vanish into obscurity. Instead, it was sold to Giorgio Giordanengo, a respected restorer from Cuneo, Italy. He took the unfinished skeleton and gave it new life with a fully custom, hand-built Spyder body. Completed around 1972, this transformation resulted in a one-of-a-kind convertible that would stay mostly hidden from the spotlight for decades.
The Bizzarrini P538 AMX/3 Spyder houses a 6.4-liter AMC V8 engine capable of producing up to 560 horsepower, depending on configuration, with power delivered through a manual transmission for a raw, mechanical driving experience. (Picture from: HistoricAutoPro)
When it finally emerged at the 2002 Bizzarrini Expo held in Brussels, the car caused a stir among collectors and enthusiasts alike. It was a mystery, a rarity, and a piece of forgotten history. Over the years, people have called it by different names—the Bizzarrini P538, the AMX Spyder, or the Giordanengo Spyder in honor of the man who finished it. Whatever label it carries, its presence is impossible to ignore.
The Bizzarrini P538 AMX/3 Spyder offers a supercar-like cabin experience, highlighted by a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and a clean, driver-focused dashboard and center console. (Picture from: Nasshan)
Visually, the Spyder is striking. It sits low, wide, and purposeful, with sleek lines and an aggressive yet elegant stance. The open-top design exposes the cabin, giving it a raw and uncompromising feel. Underneath that dramatic exterior lies a 6.4-liter AMC V8 engine, pushing out up to 560 horsepower, depending on the setup. Power is delivered through a manual transmission, keeping the driving experience mechanical and visceral. With a weight of around 1,190 kg, the car is built for balance, agility, and sheer performance.
The Bizzarrini P538 AMX/3 Spyder is the only known Spyder variant ever tied to the AMX/3 project.. (Picture from: Perico001 on Flickr)
What truly sets this car apart is its singularity. It's the only known Spyder variant ever tied to the AMX/3 project. While other AMX/3s followed a fixed formula, this one broke away from the mold. It’s not merely a car—it’s a narrative in motion, shaped by abandoned dreams, cross-continental collaboration, and a craftsman’s relentless vision. Though some have debated its authenticity due to small dimensional differences, its roots remain undeniably connected to the original Bizzarrini-AMC design. | MP4YXqymE5Q |
Today, the Bizzarrini P538 AMX/3 Spyder stands alone—not tucked away in a museum or mirrored by replicas, but alive as a raw, running reminder of a time when bold ideas weren’t left as sketches, but shaped into roaring realities. In a world where so many cars blur into sameness, this one dares to be different. It doesn’t just tell a story—it is the story.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERRARICHAT | HISTORICAUTOPRO | FASTESTLAPS | WIKIPEDIA | HEMMINGS | GORDON CALDER ON FLICKR | WEIRDWHEELS ON REDDIT | NASSHAN ]
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The car was born from an unlikely collaboration between Italian engineering legend Giotto Bizzarrini and American Motors Corporation (AMC). AMC dreamed of a mid-engine sports car to rival Ferrari and Lamborghini. Bizzarrini, with his deep racing pedigree and visionary instincts, was tasked with the engineering of what would become the AMX/3. Though only a handful of coupes were completed, one chassis—believed to be the ninth—took a different path entirely. It would eventually become the Spyder, the only open-top version of the AMX/3 project.
Today, the Bizzarrini P538 AMX/3 Spyder stands alone—not tucked away in a museum or mirrored by replicas, but alive as a raw, running reminder of a time when bold ideas weren’t left as sketches, but shaped into roaring realities. In a world where so many cars blur into sameness, this one dares to be different. It doesn’t just tell a story—it is the story.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERRARICHAT | HISTORICAUTOPRO | FASTESTLAPS | WIKIPEDIA | HEMMINGS | GORDON CALDER ON FLICKR | WEIRDWHEELS ON REDDIT | NASSHAN ]
