Another ONES Have you heard the name Aguzzoli before? Well, if some of us today rarely ever know about it. This is natural, indeed that's name is uncommonly heard in the automotive world, though used on the unique shaped coupe of the 1960s called the Aguzzoli Condor.
Aguzzoli Condor MK2 is the second prototype race car designed by Franco Reggiani and built by Piero Drogo in the 1964 for the father and son of Parma businessman, Giovanni and Sergio Aguzzoli. (Picture from: AutoHistory.Blog.Hu)
According to Autohistory, the name is taken from the Parma businessmen father and son, Giovanni & Sergio Aguzzoli who had commissioned (some said) to Piero Drogo and friends to build the mentioned Condor sports car. Just for Ur info, Giovanni and Sergio Aguzzoli were wealthy petrolheads whose had made their fortune in the salami trades. At the same time, Sergio was known also the owner of Alfa Romeo dealer in Parma.
Aguzzoli Condor MK1 Aguzzi
Condor MK2 is the first prototype race car built by Piero Drogo
and Carrozzeria Nembo in the 1963 for the father and son of Parma
businessman, Giovanni and Sergio Aguzzoli.(Picture from: Coachbuilt)
The story begins in the early of
1960s, when a former Ferrari test driver named Luigi Bertocco seek for the help of Giovanni and Sergio Aguzzoli to build the specifically mid-engined race car
for him, because they are both considered to be able to provide financial support, and the car manufacturer connections at the same time.
Aguzzoli Condor MK1 is built using the Alfa Romeo SZ running gear on a tubular frame chassis and powered by a mid-mounted 4-cyl 1300cc engine linked to a Citroen DS19 gearbox.(Picture from: Coachbuilt)
Why did Bertocco insisted to make the such race car? Because Ferrari was too stubborn, conservative and would not built the mid-engined race car construction in the Formula One, eventhough in the circuits at the time, the Prancing Horse owned race cars looked overwhelmed by the might of the mid-engined construction ones.
Aguzzi Condor MK2 has unique bodywork designed by Franco Reggiani in the response to Aguzzoli’s request that the technical content be embedded in an artistic form. (Picture from: ClassicandCreationSportsCars)
In short, Aguzzoli agreed to give the financial supports to Bertocco in order to build the race car based on the mid-engined construction ideas with the fiberglass body mounted on the tubular frame chassis. To realize the race car, then Sergio Aguzzoli contacted Piero Drogo through his bussines connection to make the car design.
Aguzzoli Condor MK2 is debuted at the Geneva Show, in March of 1964, and was given a much more harmonious chestnut than its predecessor.(Picture from: DannataVintage)
Coincidentally, Piero Drogo is brought his old friend of Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini, also known as Nembo(this trio formed the famous Ferrari Breadvanfor Count Giovanni Volpi's Scuderia Serenissima racing team), them both was run a small carrozzeria and mechanic shop based in Modena, Italy, active from the late 1950s to around 1967. As the result, the Aguzzoli racing purpose car is only built as many as 2 units.
Aguzzoli Condor MK2 with Luigi Bertocco behind the wheels raced in various prestigious domestic racing events at that time, along with its predecessor, the Condor MK1. (Picture from: WheelsAge)
The first Aguzzoli race car was built and assembled in 1963 at the Modena-based Carrozzeria Nembo, which was soon referred to by everyone as Aguzzoli Condor MK1. The car built using the Alfa Romeo SZ running gear on a tubular frame chassis and powered by a mid-mounted 4-cyl 1300cc engine linked to a Citroen DS19 gearbox.
Aguzzoli Condor MK2 is built based on the mid-engined construction ideas with the fiberglass body mounted on the tubular frame chassis. (Picture from: ClassicandCreationSportsCars)
The first Aguzzoli Condor prototype had weighed of only 520 kilograms which theoretically had a top speed of 260 kph, and reportedly it had attracted the Alfa Romeo's attention to renew their racing division spectacularly and also promised to entrust the company's racing program to Aguzzoli. But then the wish was annulled by Alfa Romeo itself by sending the Alfa Romeo TZ racing cars made of the ex-Ferrari engineer, Carlo Chiti to the racing arena.
Aguzzoli Condor MK2's interior has two bucket seat, seeringwheel with simple dashboard such on the racing car in general.(Picture from: BellesItaliennes)
It did not necessarily make Aguzzoli give up, instead they then prepared a second prototype called Aguzzoli Condor MK2 in 1964 with its unique bodywork is designed byFranco Reggiani in the response to Aguzzoli’s request that the technical content be embedded in an artistic form. This time the MK2's chassis development process was carried out very quickly, and is powered by an TZ's twin-spark 1,600 cc engine, coupled with the Hewland's transaxle. Then all wrapped in a unique Piero Drogo made body.
Aguzzoli Condor MK2 is powered by an TZ's twin-spark 1,600 cc engine, coupled with the Hewland's transaxle. (Picture from: BellesItaliennes)
As the result, some of the features installed on the Condor MK2 such the ventilation shafts above the engine room and the hidden placement of radiator is preceded its time and were only introduced several years later. The Aguzzoli Condor MK2 is debuted at the Geneva Motor Show,in March of 1964, and was given a much more harmonious chestnut than its predecessor, and didn't stand out from the impressive sports cars of the era.
Aguzzoli Condor MK2 featured with the ventilation shafts above the engine room and the hidden placement of radiator is preceded its time. (Picture from: ClassicandCreationSportsCars)
The two Aguzzoli's race cars along together (with Luigi Bertocco was using the MK2 and its compatriot racer, Umberto Masetti behind the MK1's) went down in various prestigious domestic racing events at that time, with fairly successful results. Unfortunately in 1966, Aguzzoli withdrew from the race, due to a lack of sponsorship and technical problems that continued to cost money.
Aguzzoli Condor MK2 has a beauty captivating
appeal of an Italian-made sports car under the racing car construction
and a pinch of secrets that surrounds all similarly unique cars. (Picture from: Perico001's Flickr)
Then Sergio Aguzzoli lended the cars to the private racers, among whom Domenico Lo Coco is managed to grab the runner-up titles in the high mountain racing and the Italian Formula 3 Championship, that's the Aguzzoli's cars best results achieved. By the end of season, the Aguzzoli Condor MK2 race car got into a garage where it dusted for years, and forgotten.
The above description might explained why the unknown and not very successful cars can be attractive. This is probably because it has all the beauty, captivating appeal of an Italian-made sports car under the racing car construction and a pinch of secrets that surrounds all similarly unique cars. Thus, the Aguzzoli's short wheelbase sports cars were once rejected by Alfa Romeo can become a legendary vehicle that is almost lost and forgotten by fans of the automotive world today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOHISTORY.BLOG.HU | CLASSICANDCREATIONSPORTSCARS | COACHBUILT | MENUDEIMOTORI.EU ]
Special ONES As we have known that the hybrid drive system has become one of the approaches in designing future environmentally friendly cars had carried out by many automotive manufacturers in the world. No exception, one of the automotive giants from Japan, Toyota had ever conducted a vehicle design study powered by a hybrid drive system in the past.
Toyota Alessandro Volta, taking its name from the Italian physicist who is credited for inventing the battery (he's also where we got the term "volts" from). (Picture from: DrivingLIne)
Possibly because of the large number of concept vehicles that have been built by the Japanese automotive manufacturer, it is not surprising if one of them is almost forgotten. The concept car in question is a hybrid-powered vehicle which is the result of one of the Toyota projects in 2004 named Toyota Alessandro Volta. As seen from its name, the concept car is dedicated to Alessandro Volta, a talented Italian physicist who finds a battery (from his name we have the term 'Volts' now).
Toyota Alessandro Volta's styling, which was done by the famed Italdesign Giugiaro studio. (Picture from: DrivingLIne)
Toyota Alessandro Volta displays the Mid-Engined past feature that is also pinned on BMW Nazca, Alfa Romeo Scighera, and Volkswagen W12 to show the fact that if the racing form is able to accommodate an innovative and 'clean' propulsion system, with the scope of the design to compile and design The future sedan and compact cars that have a low impact on the environment are very large.
Toyota Alessandro Volta provided innovative interior geared towards the 3-seat offering and a flexible steering wheel and pedal board clamping. (Picture from: DrivingLIne)
When heading to the real world, Toyota is not alone in the process of making Volta Concept. It turned out that the Japanese manufacturer collaborated with the famous Italdesign Giugiaro studio for car styling. They both experimented thoroughly, so it produced a beautiful and slim body placed on a full carbon fiber chassis.
Toyota Alessandro Volta was powered by a hybrid system derivative that originated from the Lexus RX 400 mated to a 3.3-liter v6 engine positioned behind the rear axle. (Picture from: DrivingLIne)
As mentioned earlier, that Toyota Alessandro Volta was powered by a hybrid system derivative that originated from the Lexus RX 400 mated to a 3.3-liter v6 engine positioned behind the rear axle which was able to send power around 400 horsepower to move the four wheels. The Toyota AlessanTro Volta Concept made its debut at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show.
Toyota Alessandro Volta is a styling exercise aimed at exploring new applications of the Hybrid synergy Drive technology. (Picture from: Supercars.net)
As you might know, the Toyota collaboration project with Italdesign Giugiaro has never exceeded the concept stages. It was also stated that during the development period, this concept car project had spent large costs and it was also used as one of the main reasons why the Volta had never entered the Toyota production line.
Given the number of hybrid supercars today, including the Acura NSX mentioned above, this concept does not seem too brave according to the current standards, but it is a big problem in 2004 when the Toyota Prius that spends fuel is a standard hybrid that people think.
And as one proof that this car is the preview of what will come, this can be led when Toyota has succeeded in working on a new hybrid-powered hypercar project which then transforms into a version of the highway from the Le Mans racing car knwon as the Toyota GR SuperSports Concept. It turned out that Toyota Alessandro Volta only overtooked about 20 years. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALDESIGN GIUGIARO | DRIVINGLINE | SUPERCARS ]
Elegant ONES Of course, the world's automotive enthusiasts is already know who Giotto Bizzarrini is. Well, he was one of the Italian leading automotive engineers in the late 1950s and 1960s who is noted to have worked for several well-known Italian manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Iso, even later made his own cars independently by using his own brand.
All
three Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyders while headed to the 21st annual Amelia
Island Concours d’Elegance 2016 (in the middle, the silver colored
known as the 'Prototipo,' the blue one in the left as the second unit, while the third one in the right is painted on the red). (Picture from: OldCarsWeekly)
Giotto Bizzarrini's design portofolio at the big car manufacturer can be seen from several world-renowned exotic cars such as the Ferrari 250 GTO, Lamboghini 350 GTV Prototipo was the forerunner of the first model of Lamborghini cars, then several Iso's cars such as the Iso Rivolta, Iso Grifo A3 and many others.
1966 Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder 'Prototipo' was one of the stars of the 1966 Geneva Motorshow. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)
Shortly after Giotto Bizzarrini resigned of the Renzo Rivolta's company, and he decided to establish his own auto company called Bizzarrini S.p.A. in 1966. The company is known to have built a small number of highly advanced and sophisticated sports and racing cars before finally ceased production in 1969.
1966 Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder 'Prototipo' has a number of unique features included retractable head lights, seats molded in the body and a multi function roof design. (Picture from: Pinterest)
As quoted of BizzarriniSpyder, during its short production period, turn out the Giotto Bizzarrini's automotive company had success in developing its own car model, named the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada or 5300 GT Corsa for the road going and racing examples respectively. As we knew, the 5300 GT road car models production lasted just three years, in which just over 100 examples had ever produced.
The Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder (in pictured the second unit of the 1967) is built only three unit of the 104 unit of the 5300 GT. (Picture from: Mad4Wheels)
Later, from the 5300 GT road car model was born a less number of production model named the Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder that really shined as the star of the 1966 Geneva Motorshow displayed on the Bizzarrini's booth (later known as the 'Prototipo' model with SN: IA3 0245). Well, the model above is one of three spyder units built from the 104 units of the 5300 GT road car had been produced.
The interior of the Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder(in pictured the second unit of the 1967) features bucket seats moulded into the body and a retractable wind deflector similar to sports cars today. (Picture from: Pinterest)
The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Spyder 'Prototipo' all-alloy bodywork is made and developed by the two Turin-based coachbuilders named S.I (Stile Italia) and S.B (Sibona e Basano) under supervision of Bizzarrini himself. The car has a number of unique features included retractable head lights, seats molded in the body and a multi function roof design. The alloy hardtop was fitted with separate roof panels, which allowed the Spyder to be a Coupe, Targa or full Convertible. Likewise with the other 2 models were respectively produced in 1967 and 1968 by the S.I (Stile Italia) Carrozzeria.
The third unit of the 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyderis built for the American market following the debut of the prototype at the 1966 Geneva Auto Show. (Picture from: 1080pCarWallpaper)
These unique cars were built on a new race-developed tubular chassis with fully independent rear suspension. Although all three Spyders share some features in common, such as a roof that allows them to become a fully convertible coupe, targa, or roadster, while its interior features bucket seats moulded into the body and a retractable wind deflector similar to sports cars today. But the difference lies in the front, where the 'Prototipo' model has applied the retractable headlights and a chromed front grille, while the other two units have closed headlights with a plain front grille.
The Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder (in pictured the third unit of the 1968) were built on a new race-developed tubular chassis with fully independent rear suspension. (Picture from: 1080pCarWallpaper)
After being in hiding for over three decades, the silver colored 'Prototipo' model had fully restored several hours before re-appearance at the 2004 Concorso d'Italia and Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, where this gorgeous Bizzarrini spyder had several commendations at the several differ catagories. As qouted of the AllCarCentral, the car's current owner is also in possession of the two production Bizzarrini Spyders.
The second unit of the Bizzarrini 5300 Spyder was in blue (SN: IA3-0315S) produced by Giotto Bizzarrini after his spyder prototype debuted to great acclaim. Like the other race Bizzarrinis, it has an alloy body built by Stile Italia but it also has a targa roof that is permanently attached in true T-Top fashion, making the chassis slightly stiffer.
Meanwhile, the third unit of the Bizzarrini 5300 Spyders was in red (SN: BA4-108) is built for the American market following the debut of the prototype at the 1966 Geneva Auto Show. Coincidentally, the car was shipped from Bizzarrini’s factory in Livorno to its first owner who lived in Livonia, Michigan. A year after arriving in the United States the car was bought by John Sassak, the current owner’s (Mark Sassak) father.
As qouted of HistoricAutpPro, Mark Sassak is currently the owner of two Bizzarrini Spyders, ie the silver 'Prototipo' of the 1966 and the red spyder of the 1968. All the three unique and rare Bizzarrini 5300 GT Spyders last appeared along with its sibling model of the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada as well as other classic car models occured at the 2016 Concours d'Elegance, Pebble Beach, California. Such a great and scarce momment, We wished it could be happened again in the future.😉 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BIZZARRINISPYDER | ALLCARCENTRAL | SUPERCARS.NET | OLDCARSWEEKLY | HISTORICAUTOPRO ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone
The above description might explained why the unknown and not very successful cars can be attractive. This is probably because it has all the beauty, captivating appeal of an Italian-made sports car under the racing car construction and a pinch of secrets that surrounds all similarly unique cars. Thus, the Aguzzoli's short wheelbase sports cars were once rejected by Alfa Romeo can become a legendary vehicle that is almost lost and forgotten by fans of the automotive world today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOHISTORY.BLOG.HU | CLASSICANDCREATIONSPORTSCARS | COACHBUILT | MENUDEIMOTORI.EU ]
