Bizzarrini: 60 years after its design, this Italian convertible from the 1960s is finally making a comeback with its original V8 engine—in a limited run of just 10 units

Some cars disappear, while others simply wait for the right moment to be reborn. More than 60 years after it was first conceived, a design by Giorgetto Giugiaro is finally coming to life: the Bizzarrini 5300 Aperta Lusso. A creation that seeks not only to pay homage to the past, but also to offer a glimpse of what the legendary 5300 GT might have become had its story continued uninterrupted.

Billed as the first short story Bizzarrini In production since the 1960s, the Aperta Lusso captures the spirit of that era while incorporating 21st-century comfort, materials, and engineering. A «Nuova Classica» that bridges the legacy of Giotto Bizzarrini (a former engineer at Ferrari and Alfa Romeo) and the brand’s future.

A dream of Giugiaro's that has remained in the archives since 1962

The story of this car begins in the early 1960s. While working at Bertone, a young Giorgetto Giugiaro envisioned an open-top version of the Bizzarrini 5300 GT, featuring an innovative design: a removable roof supported by an elegant structural arch, lighter and more refined than a traditional soft top.

But at the time, Bizzarrini was focused on racing. The 5300 GT Corsa was designed first and foremost to win races, and plans for a more luxurious open-top version remained on the drawing board—until now.

With the 5300 Aperta Lusso, this long-forgotten design becomes a reality. The car retains the spectacular lines of the 5300 GT Corsa, which won its class at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, but takes a radically different approach: that of a grand tourer designed for the most beautiful roads, not for the racetrack.

A carbon-fiber body and an interior worthy of Italian haute couture

While its appearance seems straight out of the 1960s, the design is decidedly modern. The body is made from a single piece of carbon-fiber composite, with structural reinforcement made of aerospace-grade steel at the transmission tunnel to ensure superior rigidity despite the absence of a fixed roof.

The two removable roof panels are also made of carbon fiber and can be stored in the trunk. Bizzarrini has even developed a modern sealing system with frameless windows to provide comfort on par with that of a contemporary car.

Inside, the blend of eras is even more impressive. The first model, named La Dolce Vita, features a fully customized interior with premium leather, Zegna fabrics, a dashboard carved from a single piece of European maple, and a gearshift knob inspired by tortoiseshell with gold accents.

The technology is there, but it’s deliberately understated: air conditioning, MagSafe charging, a CarPlay-compatible audio system, and an adjustable steering column. The goal isn’t to turn the 5300 into a modern car, but to hide its modern features behind a classic driving experience.

A 5.3-liter V8 and a manual transmission

Under the long front hood, Bizzarrini stays true to its heritage with a 5.3-liter V8 engine mounted in a front-mid position. This engine produces more than 400 ch and is paired with a 5-speed Tremec manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.

The top speed exceeds 280 km/h (175 mph), while the Inconel exhaust system with valves promises a sound that reflects the car’s character. A 6-speed manual transmission will also be available, depending on customer preferences. The chassis is also inspired by racing, featuring double-wishbone suspension, adjustable Koni shock absorbers, Campagnolo magnesium center-lock wheels, and non-power-assisted brakes to preserve an authentic driving experience.

Only 10 copies to start with

The Bizzarrini 5300 Aperta Lusso will be produced in an initial limited series of just 10 units, each fully customized to the owner’s specifications. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2027. More than just a modern reinterpretation, this Aperta Lusso represents a second chance for an idea conceived more than six decades ago: that of a Bizzarrini capable of combining the Italian beauty of the 1960s, pure driving pleasure, and the refinement of a contemporary luxury car.

To hear how the engine sounds, check out the video below.