Photo: Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons¹³

Giotto Bizzarrini

Italian automobile engineer (1926–2023)

Giotto Bizzarrini (6 June 1926 – 13 May 2023) was an Italian automobile engineer who was active from the 1950s through the 1970s.²

From Wikipedia’s article on Giotto Bizzarrini (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Jun 6, 1926, died May 13, 2023.¹

About

After graduating from the University of Pisa in 1953, Bizzarrini eventually joined Alfa Romeo as a test driver. He gained a reputation for identifying and solving problems and was head hunted by Ferrari in 1957. Bizzarrini's responsibility increased until he became sports car development chief at Ferrari in the late 1950s, working on such notable projects as the Ferrari 250 GTO. He split from the company as part of the 'Great Walkout' in 1961, worked first with ATS, and then in 1962 started his own company, Società Autostar, whose name was changed to Bizzarrini in 1964. In addition to producing the exotic Bizzarrini 5300 GT, Bizzarrini also worked for other makers including Iso, Lamborghini, and Alfa Romeo. Several concept cars in the 2000s bear his name.

From Wikipedia’s article on Giotto Bizzarrini, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.²

Companies

BizzarriniFounder¹¹
Picchio Racing CarsFounder¹²

Early life and education

Date not recordedUniversity of Pisa³

Bizzarrini was born in Quercianella, Livorno Province, the son of a rich landowner from 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.

Bizzarrini received an engineering degree from the University of Pisa in 1953. His design thesis in his senior year was a complete redesign of a used Fiat Topolino, in which he modified the engine for increased power and relocated it in the chassis for improved handling.

From Wikipedia’s article on Giotto Bizzarrini (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: engineer, racing automobile driver, designer, university teacher, entrepreneur.⁷

Date not recordedWorked at University of Pisa⁴
Date not recordedWorked at Alfa Romeo⁴
Date not recordedFounded Bizzarrini⁵
Date not recordedFounded Picchio Racing Cars⁶

Personal life

BornJun 6, 1926, Livorno⁸
DiedMay 13, 2023, Cecina⁹
CitizenshipItaly¹⁰

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

1
WikidataGiotto Bizzarrini on Wikidata
2
WikipediaGiotto Bizzarrini on Wikipedia
3
WikidataGiotto Bizzarrini: education, on Wikidata
4
WikidataGiotto Bizzarrini: Worked at University of Pisa, on Wikidata
5
WikidataGiotto Bizzarrini: Founded Bizzarrini, on Wikidata
6
WikidataGiotto Bizzarrini: Founded Picchio Racing Cars, on Wikidata
7
WikidataGiotto Bizzarrini: occupation, on Wikidata
8
WikidataGiotto Bizzarrini: place of birth, on Wikidata
9
WikidataGiotto Bizzarrini: place of death, on Wikidata
10
WikidataGiotto Bizzarrini: citizenship, on Wikidata
11
WikidataBizzarrini, Founder
12
WikidataPicchio Racing Cars, Founder
13
Wikimedia CommonsGiotto Bizzarrini photo by Unknown photographer, Public domain