Giotto Bizzarrini played a defining role in the development of Italian automobile design. Hailing from Tuscany, he was an engineer for Ferrari in the 1950s and Lamborghini. He also spearheaded projects for concept cars some of which boast his name.
In an industry and country famous for its car designers, Bizzarrini is an oft-forgotten but important figure. Working for famous companies, his input helped establish unforgettable masterpieces on the sports car landscape. His piece de resistance for Ferrari was the 250 GTO. In addition, he designed the Testa Rossa. But his time with Ferrari didn't end well, as he was part of the group who left the company in what is known as the "Ferrari Night of the Long Knives." From there he left for Scuderia Serrenissima and eventually, Alfa Romeo, Iso Rivolta where he designed the Iso Rivolta GT and Iso Grifo.
Indeed, the creative Bizzarrini remains active (designing the GT Strada 4.1 concept car) carries the 'Giotto' name with honor. Giotto, of course, being one of the early masters of Renaissance painting.
“In an industry and country famous for its car designers, Bizzarrini is an oft-forgotten but important figure. ”
ReplyDelete…in fact, I did not here about him until today. Thanks for the introduction!
I remember hearing of him years and years ago in one of those exotic sports car books and promptly forgot until recently.
ReplyDeleteImaginative avatar there, Peter.