AutoCult Bizzarrini 500 Macchinetta (1952) (Italy)

About the Original:

Beginning of a Great Era

Giotto Bizzarrini – born in Livorno 1924 – finished his study as a graduated engineer at the university in Pisa 1953. Even before he signed his first contract of employment, he spent his time on designing the Fiat 500 Topolino on his own terms. Especially the ageing look incited him to set his hand to the small Topolino.

The freshly graduated engineer ridded a secondhand car of its tin body and fitted it with elegant, roundish bodywork, which had no equal among serial cars in the early 1950s. Clear from any specifications or restrictions he designed a car, which was primarily characterized by its humped rear with a centrally placed gas cap. Two little, roundish, bordered side windows in the rear and the gently flared rear fender widening gave the car a much more sporty appearance than the serial Fiat ever had during its whole period of production. Also the front of the light blue painted own creation had the sporty genes. A big oval air inlet – covered by a generous chrome grille – which was not usual by the standards of the time – suctioned fresh air for the engine. Equally odd, if not revolutionary, was the entire waive of bumpers. During that time, without any impact protection, the Bizzarrini 500 might have conveyed a certain incompleteness, which in turn could create the impression and charm of a prototype. And this impression was not wrong at all, because there existed only one conversion of the small Fiat. Not only the body of the Fiat was changed, also the engine was subjected to modification, especially in performance. According to surviving information the engine powered the Bizzarrini 500 with up to 30 hp, which enabled a top speed of 145 km/h. To improve the handling of the car, Giotto Bizzarrini placed the engine slightly more centered.

After the radical conversion of the Topolino the car industry became aware of the young engineer. In 1954 he signed his first contract of employment at Alfa Romeo and rose to one of the most highly gifted designers.