Bizzarrini has revealed the 5300 Aperta Lusso, the first all-new production car from the Italian marque since the firm closed its doors in 1969. An open-top interpretation of the 5300 GT, the Aperta Lusso realises a design first shown by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone in 1962 – but consigned to the archive as the marque chose to focus on motorsport.
The Aperta Lusso follows the company’s 5300 GT Corsa Revival continuation series and precedes the upcoming Cosworth V12-powered Giotto Hyper GT. Ten examples will initially be built, each individually commissioned to its owner’s specification.
Rather than a period-faithful continuation like the Corsa Revival, or an all-new model like the Giotto, Bizzarrini classifies the Aperta Lusso as a ‘Nuova Classica’, combining glamorous ’60s styling with modern engineering and discreetly hidden conveniences.
The first commission, called ‘La Dolce Vita’, was inspired by the owner’s joy of driving and desire to escape and disconnect from the technology and notifications of modern life. The carbonfibre bodywork is finished in bespoke Azzurro Gaia metallic paintwork, named after the owner’s daughter and inspired by the hue of the Ligurian Sea, with a gold metallic fleck for depth.
The curvaceous bodywork is formed from a single piece of carbonfibre composite said to be one of the largest of its kind. The bodywork is bonded as a semi-monocoque, rather than the more typical approach of fixing subframes to a carbonfibre tub.
A steel reinforced transmission tunnel and cross-body bar have been added to rectify the chassis flex that comes with the removal of the roof. The two removable carbonfibre roof panels are light enough for one person to remove and stow in the luggage compartment.
Sitting within the chassis is essentially the same 5.3-litre naturally aspirated Chevrolet V8 small-block that powers the Corsa Revival. Mounted entirely behind the front axle line, it sends more than 400bhp to the rear wheels via a Tremec TKX five-speed manual (or optional six-speed) and limited-slip differential.
While the Corsa Revival breathes through Weber carburettors, the Aperta Lusso adopts modern port fuel injection, albeit styled to look as though the Webers remain in place. The valved exhaust is hand-fabricated from Inconel and catalysed as standard. Top speed is in excess of 175mph.
Handling is entrusted to double-wishbone suspension at each corner, its geometry mirroring that of Giotto Bizzarrini’s class-winning 1965 Le Mans car. Unlike the racer, though, the Aperta Lusso wears modern Koni adjustable dampers with model-specific valving.
Lightweight cast magnesium Campagnolo centre-lock wheels are shod in Pirelli rubber, while unservoed ventilated discs – four-piston Alcon calipers up front, two-piston Brembos mounted inboard at the rear – provide the stopping power. Rack-and-pinion electrohydraulic steering represents a significant upgrade over the original car’s steering box, with assistance that progressively bleeds away above 40mph to preserve feel.
Inside, the La Dolce Vita commission is a sea of leather upholstery, wood and Zegna fabric. The instrument panel is carved from a single piece of European maple and decorated with a hand-painted pinstripe, while the gear knob is made from Italian tortoiseshell inlaid with a gold Bizzarrini emblem.
A wood-rimmed Nardi wheel sits on a column adjustable for reach and rake. Beneath the luxurious materials and classic styling are myriad modern conveniences, including air-conditioning, MagSafe charging, a concealed Apple CarPlay-linked stereo system and frameless drop-glass windows with modern weather sealing.
Bizzarrini has not announced pricing for the Aperta Lusso. Further commissioning slots are available, with cars arriving in 2027, as the reborn marque continues towards production of its Giotto Hyper GT.
More information is available here.
