Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada | 4. Design and specifications
With these words Giotto Bizzarrini describes the GT Strada. Having hardly one year for developing the proyect, the tuscan engineer put into the proyect all the experience he had gained in Ferrari when designed which is still today the most successful Ferrari of all time: the 250 GTO. In this section of the interview granted to Iso & Bizzarrini expert classicscars.com a charming Giotto talks about how Rivolta reached him, his role there and Iso first racing outings.
The goal was clear for Giotto Bizzarrini: "I wanted to improve the GTO"
One of the most interesting features of his design was the petrol distribution in three tanks (one behind the seats and two simmetrically positioned in the door sills). In conjunction with the front-mid engine (moved backwards further than in the GTO) this layout gets a nearly optimal weight balance in both axles: as a result the center of gravity will only vary 1% at the most, independently of how much petrol the car carries.
4. Design and specifications | Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada
Another good move was the Pisa wind tunnel testing. Starting with the Bertone drawing, Bizzarrini refined the lines aiming for high speed stability and penetration; period car journalists reported the success of this procedure. They also highlighted the wind noise reduction noticiable inside the cabin when reaching respectable speedometer lectures, which is a essential part of the Gran Turismo experience.
| Maserati 3500 GTi Sebring | 1243 KPa |
| Aston Martin DB5 Vantage | 1197 KPa |
| Lamborghini 350 GT | 1180 KPa |
| Ferrari 275 GTB/6c | 1126 KPa |
| Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada | 0992 KPa |
| *this index allows comparisons between engines, regardless of their displacements. |
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