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www.QV500.com -Iso A3/C & Bizzarrini 5300 Part 7: Stile Italia's 5300 GT Spyder SI |
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During the 1950’s and ‘60’s, Europe was filled with specialist carrozzeria who would showcase their abilities by fabricating unique bodywork to clothe rolling chassis's from all manner of manufacturers. Some survive today, Pininfarina, Zagato and Bertone, for example, but many more faded into obscurity after producing just a handful of cars. One such organisation was Stile Italia of Turin who fabricated roadster bodywork for two 5300 GT's in 1966 and '68. The first, chassis IA3 0245, debuted at the Geneva Salon in March of 1966 and could be configured either as an out an out Spyder, a targa, or a closed coupe thanks to an innovative removable hardtop with targa roof panels. |
Although retaining a silhouette not dissimilar from the regular Berlinetta, detail differences between IA3 0245 were immediately apparent from any angle. At the front, there were novel retractable headlights, new indicator lenses and a slightly re-profiled nose. Other detail differences came in the form of two new air extraction vents located behind each wheelarch, these being divided by decorative chrome strips. Undoubtedly the most drastic changes were made behind the cabin though where the Spyder's much longer rear deck featured a pair of streamlined headrests, its extended Kamm tail housing four circular light clusters. Inside, the cabin got an A3/C binnacle containing all the major instruments, the tachometer and speedometer being angled from the centre towards the driver as before. A transmission tunnel still dominated the cockpit but now appeared to lie flatter between new steeply raked bucket seats, passengers being afforded a grab handle located on the right hand side of the instrument binnacle. A second Spyder was built for an American customer in 1968 on chassis BA4 108, this car most obviously being completed without the prototypes retractable headlights. BA4 108 also had engine cooling vents behind each front wing, push-button door releases and single tail light clusters at the back, all of which mimicked those found on Bizzarrini's stock 5300 GT. |
