Tag Archives: 1968

1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada – REVISIT

July 24, 2014 Graham

Considered by many to be one of the prettiest GT cars ever made, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada I wrote up in April is back up on eBay. With bidding at $200,000 but the reserve still on, there's a long way to go until this car hits market value. That market value is still substantially below what equivalent Ferraris and Lamborghinis cost these days though, so this could be one of the more reasonable classic Italian top tier GT cars you can buy. Of course, you have to win the auction first....

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada on Ebay

The below post appeared on our site originally on April 2, 2014:

The other day, I wrote up an Iso A3C; a neat and fairly rare race car from the mid 1960s that marked a period where Iso and ex-Ferrari designer Bizzarrini worked together to create the beautiful and fast race car; however, shortly after the Grifo-based A3C launched its race career, Bizzarrini and Renzo Rivolta parted ways. The result was that Bizzarrini continued to build road-going versions of the A3C, now dubbed the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada, for a few years. While more plentiful than the A3C, they're certainly not a car you come by every day - which is why it's an extra-special treat to see one pop up on Ebay:

Year: 1968
Model: 5300GT Strada
Engine: 5.4 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: Not Listed
Price: No Reserve Auction

Bizzarrini 5300 Strada, 1968
restored by Salvatore Diomante, the factory manager who never stop taking care of the Iso and Bizzarrini
350 CV, documented, alloy body
The cars who have won awards at Pebble Beach are Diomante restorations
0 km since restoration
Contact me if real interest

I have to say, it takes a large set of attachments to post such a car - likely worth close to seven figures - for sale as a no reserve auction on Ebay; my guess, though, is that if bidding doesn't go the way of the seller it will get ended early. Fully restored, this car appears to be lovely and is somewhat unusual in silver color, but there aren't many photos to document the current condition. Despite that, it's a rare car to see at all so it's certainly worth taking a look at. While probably out of the price range of anyone reading this, these cars are pretty well priced considering their history and especially when compared to similar vintage Ferraris. They're arguably as beautiful as some of their creator's other creations for the prancing horse!

-Carter

Bizzarrini, Classic

1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada

April 9, 2014 Graham

Just last week, I looked at an extremely rare Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada that popped up on Ebay. Pictures weren't great, but as I said in that post it's not a car you see every day. Yet here we are, less than a week later, with another one of these Italian-American combinations! It's not that I was particularly wrong, just consider us very lucky to be able to see these very special cars come up for sale - even if you need to be a millionaire to consider one:

Year: 1968
Model: 5300 GT Strada
Engine: 5.4 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 25,000 mi
Price: No Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada

Bizzarrini 5300 Strada
Alloy Body , V8 Corvette 400 CV
Fully restored, for real collectors
Please call me if real interest, 011 33 613 916 500
We take care of shipping

Giotto Bizzarrini was born in Livorno, Italy in 1926. His father was a rich landowner who came from a family with strong roots in Tuscany and the city of Livorno. His grandfather, also named Giotto Bizzarrini, was a biologist who had worked with Guglielmo Marconi on his inventions, especially the radio, following which one of the Livorno Library sections was named The Bizzarrini Library.

1959 GT Boano

Bizzarrini graduated as an engineer in the University of Pisa in 1953. He taught briefly before joining Alfa Romeo in 1954. He worked for Alfa Romeo from 1954 to 1957. He began working for Ferrari in 1957, eventually becoming controller of experimental, Sports and GT car development. He worked at Ferrari as a developer, designer, skilled test driver, and chief engineer for five years. His developments there included the Ferrari 250 TR, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB (Short Wheelbase Berlinetta or Berlinetta Passo Corto), and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.

Bizzarrini was fired by Ferrari during the "palace revolt" of 1961. He became part of Automobili Turismo e Sport (ATS)), a company started by the ex-Ferrari engineers to build a Formula 1 single seater and a GT sport car, the A.T.S. Serenissima.

One of ATS's financial backers, Count Giovanni Volpi, owner of Scuderia Serenissima, hired Bizzarrini to upgrade a Ferrari 250 GT SWB, with chassis number #2819GT to GTO specifications. This resulted in the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo also known as the "Breadvan".

Bizzarrini's engineering company, Societa Autostar, was commissioned to design a V-12 engine for a GT car to be built by another dissatisfied Ferrari customer, Ferruccio Lamborghini. Lamborghini considered the resulting engine to be too highly strung, and ordered that it be detuned.

As with the last advertisement, information and pictures aren't great, and this one is also being offered at no reserve; my guess is that the sellers are just looking to post an ad to get attention and pull potential buyers in that way. I just have a hard time believing that there are that many people who are actively attempting to buy million-dollar cars off Ebay, but perhaps that's also a function of my lack of a million dollars. Still, this car is just beautiful; the French blue is a nice if unorthodox color for this car and it really stands out. While we're not likely to see another Bizzarrini next week, it's nice to be able to bask in the glow of two in a short period of time - so enjoy!

-Carter

Bizzarrini, Classic

1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada

April 2, 2014 Graham

Year: 1968
Model: 5300GT Strada
Engine: 5.4 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: Not Listed
Price: No Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1968 Bizzarrini 5300GT Strada

Bizzarrini 5300 Strada, 1968
restored by Salvatore Diomante, the factory manager who never stop taking care of the Iso and Bizzarrini
350 CV, documented, alloy body
The cars who have won awards at Pebble Beach are Diomante restorations
0 km since restoration
Contact me if real interest

-Carter

Lamborghini

1968 Lamborghini Islero

October 8, 2013 Graham 3 Comments

I grew up in the era where cars like the Countach and Testarossa were in their heyday. But somehow, I wasn’t one of those kids who plastered one of the numerous posters of these outlandish sports cars on my bedroom wall. No, I was the odd one. Cars like the Citroën SM, Buick GNX and Audi Ur-Quattro were the cars that piqued my fancy. For me, cars are like wealth. Those that have the means don’t need to shout about it. But, there’s always the subset of the population who will want the brash face to go with the performance edge.

Amazing, then, that the manufacturer that popularized the mid-engine supercar formula started off with vehicles such as this: the Islero. Few people, even enthusiasts have ever heard of this car, let alone seen one. But it offers a window into the world of early Lamborghini history. This particular example for sale in Washington state has won an award at Concorso Italiano and is in show ready condition.

Year: 1968
Model: Islero
Engine: 4.0 liter V12
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 8,960 mi
Price: $198,888 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1968 Lamborghini Islero

1968 Lamborghini Islero GT 2+2 finished in stunning Argento Silver over Tobacco interior. This car, Chassis #6318 and Motor #2457 was the 104th Islero produced and delivered new on January 28th, 1969 To AutoElite in Europe. The 320bhp Lamborghini V12 engine has six Weber twin-choke carburetors and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Still retaining its original interior that is in stunning condition, it also retains its original color having been professionally re-sprayed during its cosmetic restoration. A full and comprehensive mechanical restoration was completed in 2012 at a cost of over $55,000 by Alpha of Tacoma. A strong and complete Islero with collector quality status and future upward mobility. Coming with extensive documentation from birth, such as Telex, window sticker, travel passport and multiple records and history of the car. Receipts for all recent work is available as well upon request. Sporting newer correct reproduction tires as well as its original RARE knock off Miura style wheels, its beauty is unsurpassed. A Lamborghini of the V12 era and Gentleman's GT cruisers, this show ready Islero recently won 3rd prize for 'Front Engine V12' at the Concorso Italiano. This never to be seen again styling Lamborghini Islero GT 2+2 is ready for its proud new owner!

Outside of the Miura and original 400GT, a lot of classic Lamborghinis languished in the collector market due to their obscurity. In the past several years, however, things have started to trend upward for these cars, which were devised as an onslaught to Ferrari’s dominance in the Italian sports car market. At almost $200,000 this Islero is on the high end of the market, but seeing as how it has a recent restoration and is a no excuses car, it might be worth it to the right buyer. You may get a lot of folks asking “what is it” but when they look at the badge and see the Raging Bull, you’ll garner a new found respect.

-Paul

Fiat

1968 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe

April 28, 2013 Graham 1 Comment

The 124 Spider was rather popular in the US, seeing the brand through their exit from the market in 1982 and living on as the Pininfarina Spider until 1985. Less well known is the coupe related to the Spider, the 124 Sport Coupe. Sold in three series from 1967 through 1975, this coupe had traces of exotica in its DNA, from the four cylinder engine designed by Aurelio Lampredi to the styling penned by Mario Boano, who also designed the Ferrari 250GT. A little under 300,000 of these coupes were produced through all three series (AC, BC and CC). This early AC is for sale in Washington state.

1968 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe

This is a Fiat 124 Sport Coupe from California, the car appears to have extensive mechanical rebuilding including suspension, and engine. The car has been fitted with twin Weber 40 DCOE carbs and clearly has cams to go with the carbs. Timing belt is nice and tight and looks to be recently replaced, probably when the engine was done (guessing 8,000-10,000 miles ago) sorry no receipts. The engine does not smoke at all and is a delight, clearly who ever rebuilt it did an excellent job. The car also has the sump protector on it along with what appears to be an Ansa rear muffler and twin tip, sounds great dignified growl.
The car shows 44,577 on the odometer, I am guessing that is more like 144,577.

I am selling the car for a client, who found something else he wishes to purchase even though the 124 was a recent purchase. In order for him to purchase the other car he needs to sell this one. The car drives incredibly well, and is very docile when driven gently, but when you open the throttle this thing seriously comes to life. Handling is superb, and the car has a set of period BWA wheels with excellent tires. The car drives great and the suspension is all very nice and tight, looks to have a larger front anti sway bar also. The exhaust is in great condition as well and the car is fitted with a set of tubular headers.

Brakes are excellent. Transmission shifts perfectly and all syncros are pefect. All glass is in fine condition. Most of the chrome shows wear but is quite serviceable. Missing the upright trim on the rear edge of the drivers door. There is very little rust present on the car and its very solid and decent underneath, see the pictures. Rust bubbles are present on the right rear window, and right rocker just in front of the rear wheel. There was some rust repair under the rear edge of the hood. The dark green paint looks good from ten feet, but the new owner will eventually want to repaint the car.

What is nice is that this extremely rare coupe is solid straight completely driveable and can definitely be enjoyed while being improved on. The front seats are aftermarket and comfortable, no idea what happened to the original front seats. Most of the interior is nice but the dash pad is seriously in need of being recovered. All gauges and lights work. Not a cheap car but it has been a long time since I have seen one as over all solid and nice driving as this one. If I did not have so many cars of my own, I would have already bought this one its an absolute blast to drive and will give a stock 2.0 liter Alfa a serious run for its money.

Feel free to ask any and all questions, the car is advertised locally and the owner is open to offers. My name is Jim and I can be reached on my cell phone at 425 238 5317 please be aware that I am on the West coast and will appreciate your taking the time zone into consideration. The car must be paid for in full in verifiable funds before it can be shipped or driven away. I am happy to help arrange shipping for the new owner. The reserve reflects what the owner has invested in the car and in my opinion is a bargain. Thanks for looking and for bidding.

This isn't a perfect 124 Sport Coupe, but it seems to be all there and the seller is rather honest in its description. I'd suspect somewhere around $7,000 to $8,000 would probably be a fair value for this one, given that the seller has a reserve set. While I tend to like the BC version a tad better, with its dual headlamps, this AC is clearly a product of the Spider of which it shares its platform and is a classic Fiat that you certainly don't see every day (or every year, for that matter).

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1968 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina

February 17, 2013 Graham

As the old saying goes, they're only original once. This Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina was owned by the same owner from new until 2005, where it changed hands successively amongst Alfa club enthusiasts. This is and unrestored car with exception of a bit of fresh paint here and there and a few minor repairs to keep it roadworthy. This Canadian market car is for sale in Washington and is a great chance to own a piece of Alfa history at a reasonable price.

1968 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina

With retirement looming I've been made aware that the number of vehicles in the garage must decrease. I can’t sell the Mini so as much as I hate to do it, the 1968 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina is now available. It is a Canadian-market car and was purchased new in Vancouver, BC. It stayed with the original owner until 2005 when it was sold to an Alfa club member in the Portland, Oregon area. It changed hands once more in 2010 (another Portland Alfa club member) and was then purchased by me in October of 2011.

It is an original, matching-numbers car, has never been molested and has always been garaged. It is quick, quiet and comfortable with around 140,000 original miles on the odometer. The engine starts easily, runs smoothly and does not burn oil. The transmission shifts smoothly, with no grinding going into 2nd or any other gear. It’s a great running car.

For safety sake, dual door mirrors and 3-point Securon inertia-reel seat belts have been installed. The mounting holes on the front fender for the old rear-view mirror have not been patched. New clutch master and slave cylinders have just been installed and also a new battery. The 185/70 Michelin tires are almost new. It also has a new OEM-style exhaust system.

The paint is tired but pretty good for it being 45 years old. Some panels have been resprayed (after parking lot dings were repaired). It has never been wrecked. The sills were replaced a few years ago and the boxed sections were waxoyled at that time. The interior is original and in very good to excellent condition with the exception of the passenger seat on which the white stitching is failing and there is minor sun damage on the top of the rear seat back. It has the optional rear seat glove box and the blanking piece that goes in its place. The dash has no cracks and all the gauges work (except for the clock).

The Alfa is located a few miles north of Seattle. More details and photos on request. There just aren’t many unrestored Berlinas left that are in this condition. I’m asking $13,000.

A car such as this raises the question of whether to go for a more modern Alfa Romeo 164 or dabble in the real classics, as the asking price is not much higher than what clean 164s are trading hands for these days. In addition, the price of this Berlina is within reason of what these cars are currently fetching. A perfect, restored Berlina will bring close to $20,000, but this car has history and patina, which is something that is hard to come across. Overall, this is a prime opportunity for someone looking for a classic Alfa that can be used as intended, not just admired under glass.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1968 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior Spider Duetto

December 28, 2012 Graham

The 1968 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior Spider Duetto featured at the beginning of December has been relisted with a Buy it Now price of $33,000. Previously, the car had not met its reserve at $25,300:

1968 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior Spider Duetto on eBay - REVISIT

The below post originally appeared on our site December 10, 2012:

As time progresses, new cars appear more and more similar, losing a lot of their character that made them instantly recognizable years ago. When talking about character, few manufacturers have successfully expressed emotion through design more successfully than Alfa Romeo. One of their most celebrated designs is the 105/115 Series Spider, and this is where that car got its start, with the Duetto. Impossibly beautiful, this Duetto for sale in Seattle looks stunning in blue with the two tone black and tan interior.

1968 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior Spider Duetto

The Alfa Romeo Spider (105/115 series) is a roadster produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1993. Widely regarded as a design classic, it remained in production for almost three decades with only minor aesthetic and mechanical changes. The three first series were assembled by Pininfarina in Grugliasco and the fourth series in San Giorgio Canavese. The last Spider was produced in April 1993, it was also the last rear wheel drive Alfa Romeo produced before Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione was introduced.

The Italian firm of Pininfarina was responsible for the design of the body; in fact, the Duetto was the last project with which founder Battista "Pinin" Farina was personally associated. Franco Martinengo was the Design Director at Pininfarina at that time. Pininfarina were also responsible for the manufacture of the vehicle's monocoque construction (designed with the relatively new principles of crumple zones incorporated into the front and rear).

A new Spider 1300 Junior, with a 1290 cc engine producing 89 hp (66 kW), was introduced in 1968. The Junior version had black-coloured lower front bumper Due to its round (or long) tail, the Series 1 Spider is sometimes known by the nickname of "Osso di Seppia" - Italian for "cuttlefish bone". This particular car was similar to the model featured in the 1967 movie The Graduate, driven by Ben(Dustin Hoffman), the character.

Our beautiful Duetto 1300 Junior has been restored with new deep blue paint, new black top and interior. The interior upholstery was wonderfully done with great fitment and all floor mats are fitted well. The rear trunk mat is in great shape as well as spare tire and jack. The car runs and drives beautifully. The brakes are solid and transmission shifts well. It has just been gone through by Italian car Master Jim Simpson. A few of the exterior trim pieces have a small ding and there are a couple of rock chips in the windshield, but failing that, this car is near concours as a driver quality car. Solid as a rock, the underside is as clean as the interior and paint. It drives as well as it looks. You will be hard pressed to find a nicer, more complete example of the hard to find Duetto.

Duettos of this caliber are typically bringing between $25,000 and $30,000 these days. If this one could be had for under $30,000, it would be well bought.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1968 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Ti

October 24, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

Before BMW and their onslaught of four-door M cars, Alfa Romeo did much to advance the game of the sports saloon, staring all the way back in the early 1960s with this car, the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Introduced in 1962, there were many variants in the lineup until the car went out of production sixteen years later. This Giulia Super Ti has the 1600 twin cam four cylinder engine and has been featured in a prominent Alfa Romeo book. On offer about 50 miles southeast of London, this Giulia impresses with its spec and attention to detail.

1968 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Ti

VVS are delighted to be able to offer this completely unique left hand drive 1968 Giulia Super Ti specification. This is another car in my personal collection that has been recreated regardless of cost, using best of breed in every area. The car was subject to a full MGS coachworks restoration and was infact recreated by the Alfa resto master himself Michael Spencely for his personal use. Please call me for full specification and full documentation of this recreation, there simply is too much to list, this is perhaps the most famous Giulia Super in the world, as featured in the "Berlinas" book and various publications, restoration costs were in excess of £50K.

At the equivalent of $48,000 USD, this is the most expensive Giulia I have ever come across. The stripes are a neat touch, but personally, I'd prefer my Giulia without them. This car has a bit of a restrained aura about it, and any added fanfare seems to ruin the theme for me. This car is another case of the restorer losing money on the rebuild costs, which is why it's better to buy such a car completed. But you have to respect those who toil long hours to rescue these cars from the scrap heap. Does that constitute around a $25,000 premium in this case? Probably not, but it's always nice to window shop.

-Paul

Fiat

1968 Fiat 500L

October 19, 2012 Graham 4 Comments

With Fiat 500 sales gaining this year, I can't help but reflect on the car that started it all, the or almost 20 years, the Fiat 500 Cinquecento. Launched in 1957, this was the car that put Italy on the move and is still a popular choice with city dwellers and first time drivers to this day. This particular 500 for sale in Rhode Island is quite tidy and the medium blue hue suits its endearing character perfectly.

1968 Fiat 500L

This is a beautiful Fiat 500L imported a few years ago from Italy. This Fiat is a very nice denim blue with a solid black interior and both are in very nice shape. If you have driven one of these before you will know they are fun to drive but a little under powered. This Fiat we have has been equipped with a 650cc motor which makes it a blast and makes the car actually usable. We rescued this one from a new fiat dealer who was using it as a show piece--it's that nice!! The car is sitting in our showroom here at Oxford Motorcars in Pawtucket, RI.

At $16,500, this asking price isn't way off the mark, but represents the high side of vintage 500 values right now. The high price could either be that cars typically are a bit more expensive in the Northeast or the dealer is trying to cash in on some of the current 500 craze, or a combination of the two. I do a lot of urban driving and to be honest, my MINI Cooper S even feels way too big at times. I can't help but get drawn in every time I see a mint 500 Cinquecento. They aren't the fastest or most glamorous cars in the world, but they are a great combination of economy and fun and in small package.

-Paul

Maserati

1968 Maserati Mexico

October 13, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

For those thinking a Ferrari or Lamborghini may be a bit too brash, Maserati has always been a more subtle choice for people seeking style and speed. The Mexico appeared in 1966 and was a handsome four place coupe with lines penned by Vignale. This car has the larger 4.7 liter, quad cam V8 with 290 horsepower and was the first Maserati to feature four wheel disc brakes. This Mexico is for sale in Connecticut was originally delivered to a Spanish customer. It isn't a concours example, but is a car worthy of being driven and enjoyed.

1968 Maserati Mexico

1968 Maserati Mexico 4.7 Coupe Red with a black interior.Numbers matching 4.7 engine with power steering. Odometer shows 17,000 kilometers, the motor was rebuilt by Maserati in the late 1970's and the odometer was set back to zero at that time, I do not know the exact kilometers on the car. The car was originally sold into Spain in April 1968 and then purchased from Spain and brought to the USA by the customer I got the car from, he owned it since the early to mid 1980's. I believe the car may have had only 3 owners from new. It has always been on the road and driven regularly. It runs out very nicely and feels great on the road, everything works execpt for the air conditioning which I didn't try to charge. The car has good paint with cracking in some areas and chips in various places but there isn't any rust showing on the body and the underside is solid and dry. The chrome is coming off the rear bumper. The windshield has some scratches from the wiper. The interior is in nice shape with what looks like new seat bottoms to the seats but it does not look out of place with the rest of the interior.

The above information about the engine rebuild was confirmed in an email from Maserati which also told me the original color was Grigio Milano and the interior was black leather. This is a very nice driving example of a very rare to find vintage Maserati. You could leave this car as it is and enjoy it for many years,they only made 250 of these and they are not going to go down in value. The reserve is very reasonable. This car comes with a factory owners manual as well as a factory shop manual. I have the rubber strip for the rear bumper guard and I have a wiper blade on order for the passenger side.

Car is located in northwestern Connecticut about 75 miles north of New York City. If you have questions you can email me thru ebay or call 860-350-1140. The car comes on a transferable registration which acts the same as a title and will allow you to register the car in any state or export the car. There are many more detailed photos located at forzamotorsports with the usual com ending I recomend that you take the time to study these photos if you are seriously interested in this car. International buyers welcome I can help set up shipping to any part of the world. Thank you for looking at my listing.

A Mexico in good condition will usually bring somewhere between $50,000 to $70,000. I'd guess with this car's patina, we might be looking at a $50,000 to $55,000 car. With just shy of 300 built, these are very rare cars. For someone looking to get their feet wet into exotic Italian machinery, these coupes represent a pretty good value in comparison to other sports cars from the period.

-Paul