{{Infobox automobile | name = Bizzarrini Strada | image = Bizzarrini GT 5300 - Front (2008-06-28) ret.jpg | manufacturer = Bizzarrini | aka = {{unbulleted list |Bizzarrini 5300 GT America |Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada }} | production = 1964–1968<br>133 built | assembly = Italy: Livorno | predecessor = | successor = | class = Sports car (S) | body_style = 2–door coupé | layout = Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive | platform = Iso Rivolta IR 300 | engine = {{convert|5358|cc|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} ''Chevrolet 327'' V8 | transmission = 4–speed ''BorgWarner T-10'' manual | wheelbase = {{convert|2449|mm|1|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|4460|mm|1|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|1760|mm|1|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|1120|mm|1|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|1200|kg|0|abbr=on}} | related = Iso Grifo | designer = Giotto Bizzarrini | sp = uk }}
The '''Bizzarrini Strada''' (also '''5300 GT Strada'''<ref name=rep28>{{cite book |editor-last1= Berruti |editor-first1= Valerio |editor-last2= Magistà |editor-first2= Aurelio|title= L'Automobile. Marche e modelli dalle origini ad oggi|language=it |publisher= La Biblioteca di Repubblica-L'Espresso|volume=2 |date=2009 |pages=27–28}}</ref> and '''5300 GT'''), is a sports car produced by Bizzarrini from 1964 to 1968. Sold as a low slung, two-seat coupé, roadster, and track-tuned "Corsa" racer,<ref name="R&T">{{cite web | url = http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a5220/go-news-pebble-beach-2013-1965-bizzarrini-5300-gt-strada-alloy/ | work = Road & Track | date = August 19, 2013 | title = Pebble Beach 2013: 1965 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada Alloy | first = David Traver | last = Adolphus | publisher = Hearst Autos, Inc. }}</ref> it proved to be Bizzarrini's most successful model.
==History== Designed by ex-Ferrari chief engineer Giotto Bizzarrini in 1963, the Strada was launched by his company in 1964. It was similar in concept to the Iso Grifo, also designed by Bizzarrini, and even used the '''Grifo''' name while in the planning stage, as well as the welded unibody platform of the Iso Rivolta 300.<ref name=R&T/>
The Strada – which adopted a Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout – was powered by a 327 Chevrolet small-block engine displacing {{convert|5358|cc|L|order=flip|1|abbr=on}} and rated at {{convert|365|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|385|Nm|lbft|0|abbr=on}} of torque in the road legal version and {{convert|400|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} in the Corsa. <ref name=R&T/> The engine was intentionally placed as far back over the front axle as possible, to improve weight distribution and handling. The car could accelerate 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 7 seconds, and attained a top speed of {{Convert|280|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. In later models, the 5,358 cc engine was replaced by a larger 7,000 cc unit, fitted with a Holley carburetor.<ref name=rep28/>
Dunlop four-wheel disc brakes, a BorgWarner T-10 four-speed manual transmission,<ref name=R&T/> de Dion tube rear suspension, and limited slip differential were also used. The Giorgetto Giugiaro influenced Bertone styled aluminum body, was striking in its day and still regarded in the 21st century as "gorgeous"<ref name=R&T/> and an "absolute masterpiece".<ref name=rep28/>
A total of 133 examples were produced from 1964 through 1968.<ref name=rep28/>
===America=== A lower cost model called the '''5300 GT America''' was developed for the US market, with a fibreglass body and a simplified rear axle. Rather than the Strada's De Dion setup, it has unequal length A-arms with coil springs and tubular shocks.<ref name=MCQ1>{{cite web | url = https://mycarquest.com/2013/04/two-bizzarrini-gt-americas-at-amelia-island.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201108115657/https://mycarquest.com/2013/04/two-bizzarrini-gt-americas-at-amelia-island.html | archive-date = 2020-11-08 | first = Mike | last = Gulett | title = The Bizzarrini GT America | date = 2013-04-09 | work = My Car Quest }}</ref>
===Spyder=== The '''Bizzarrini 5300 GT S.I. Spyder''' was a series of three cars created in 1966 based on the Strada Chassis. They were designed under Ing. Giotto Bizzarrini supervision by mostly unknown carrozzeria Stile Italia (S.I.), D'Iseglio -Ex Engineer of (Berton) on via Governolo 28 in Torino, and built in cooperation with Sibona & Basano (SB) Ex-Chief Metalsmith & Ex Mold maker (Ghia) . The name Spyder had an "y" in it for marketing reasons, because it is not part of the Italian alphabet. The first appearance was at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966, after a traffic accident of the transporter who brought the car(s) to the show. Of the three Spyders built, one (the prototype) is painted silver where it is featured as the only (Prototype) automobile offered as a Coupe, Targa and is a full convertible Roadster, while the other two feature removable T-tops with a center bar running through the middle of the roof. The engine was a Chevrolet 327 V8 with four Weber carburetors.<ref name=Hemmings15>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2015/06/08/all-three-bizzarrini-spyders-including-the-prototype-to-reunite-this-summer|date = 2015-06-08 | title = All three Bizzarrini Spyders, including the prototype, to reunite this summer | first = Daniel | last = Strohl | website=www.hemmings.com|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> The Spyders also have other modifications to the bodywork, including subtly redesigned front ends and larger luggage compartments. A series of 100 examples had been planned, but only two found buyers.<ref name=Hemmings15/> thumb|1968 Bizzarrini GT 5300 Spyder (SI) Chassis No. BA4*108* 1st and only production Spyder shipped to the USA in 1968 thumb|1966 Bizzarrini Strada <gallery widths="200" heights="140"> File:Bizzarrini 5300GT Strada 000 000 1964-1968 1966 backleft 2012-04-01 A ji.jpg|Rear view File:1967 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada 0276, interior.jpg|Interior File:Rétromobile 2016 - Bizzarrini Competition Lightweight Coupé - 1966 - 003.jpg|Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa (lightweight competition version) File:Bizzarrini 5300 GT Continuation.jpg|5300 GT Revival Corsa, a continuation series which entered production in 2022 File:1966 Bizzarrini 5300 Spyder S.I..jpg|The sole 1966 Bizzarrini GT 5300 Spyder S.I (Prototype) Chassis# IA3*0245* </gallery> ===Competition models=== In 1965, a Bizzarrini Grifo won its class at Le Mans and finished ninth overall. The lightweight, race oriented model was called the '''5300 GT Corsa'''.
==See also== * Ferrari 250 GTO * Iso Grifo
==References== <references/>
==External links== {{Commonscat|Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140714021950/http://www.auto-classiche.it/news/bizzarrini-5300-gt-strada-il-capolavoro-di-giotto/ Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada], auto-classiche.it {{in lang|it}} * [http://www.bizzarrinispyder.com/ Bizzarrini 5300 Spyder S.I.]
Strada Category:Grand tourers Category:Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles Category:Cars introduced in 1964