Bizzarrini GT America 2+2

The Bizzarrini GT America 2+2 is a singular prototype constructed in 1968 by Giotto Bizzarrini as an extension of his earlier GT Strada series. Conceived as a more versatile gran turismo automobile, it retained the fundamental mechanical principles of the 5300 GT while introducing accommodations for rear passengers within a fastback coupé body made by Carrozzeria Sports Cars by Drogo. This modification placed the car in alignment with broader market trends toward high-performance four-seat touring cars during the late 1960s. Built upon a bespoke chassis, the GT America 2+2 featured a front-mid-mounted Chevrolet-derived V8 engine of 5.3 litres, producing approximately 355 horsepower. The engine was positioned far back in the engine bay, behind the front axle line, to optimise weight distribution, a configuration that mirrored Bizzarrini’s longstanding commitment to handling dynamics above all else. The transmission was a four-speed manual unit, coupled to a de Dion rear axle, and the suspension architecture combined independent front geometry with performance-tuned coil springs and telescopic dampers. Four-wheel disc brakes were employed, standard in Bizzarrini constructions of the era. The coachwork was executed in aluminium, shaped to reflect both functional aerodynamics and aesthetic modernism. The form exhibited characteristic Bizzarrini signatures: a low, aggressive front fascia, a prominent bonnet scoop, and a sharply tapered rear profile. Despite the addition of a rear seating compartment, the vehicle preserved the visual proportions of a two-seat sports coupé. The wheelbase was extended marginally from the original 5300 GT platform to accommodate the additional seating, resulting in a slightly elongated cabin without significant alteration to the overall stance. Only one example of the GT America 2+2 was produced. It was presented publicly at the 1968 Turin Motor Show, serving primarily as a demonstration of Bizzarrini’s continued design capability following the financial and organizational difficulties that afflicted his company in the late 1960s. The Bizzarrini GT America 2+2 prototype remained in the possession of Bizzarrini for a time and later entered a private collection. As a unique object, it occupies a marginal yet notable position within the narrative of Italian performance car development, exemplifying both the ambition and the constraints of low-volume, engineering-led automotive ventures of the period.