Car Bizzarrini P538 1976 for sale

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To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' The Monterey Auction event, 13 - 15 August 2026.
$450,000 - $550,000 USD

One of the automotive world’s most sensational creations
Genuine Bizzarrini-built example; authenticated by noted marque expert Jack Koobs de Hartog
Comprehensively restored to period-correct appearance in 2015
Ideal for vintage racing and concours presentation
Accompanied by a transferable invitation to compete in the 2026 Goodwood Revival Whitsun Trophy

Please note that this lot is titled as a 1967.

Few names carry greater significance in the world of Italian sports car engineering than Giotto Bizzarrini. After leading the development of some of Ferrari’s most legendary competition cars, including the immortal 250 GTO, Bizzarrini struck out on his own in 1963, transforming Iso’s A3/C into the dramatic 5300 Strada and Corsa. Rejecting the traditional Italian V-12 in favor of Chevrolet’s immensely powerful Corvette-derived V-8, he created a uniquely compelling fusion of American muscle and Italian artistry.

These ideas culminated in the remarkable P538, unveiled at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Named for its rear-mounted 5.3-liter eight-cylinder engine, the P538 featured an exceptionally low and dramatic body penned by the celebrated designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. Ever inventive, Bizzarrini interpreted FIA prototype regulations in his own unique fashion, positioning the driver centrally, with a passenger pod on one side and a luggage compartment on the other in order to satisfy GT requirements. The result was one of the most visually arresting and technically fascinating racing spiders of its era.

Despite its promise, financial difficulties and changing racing regulations curtailed the P538 program, and Bizzarrini’s company ultimately collapsed in 1970. Over time, however, the model’s significance and beauty became increasingly appreciated, leading former Bizzarrini foreman Salvatore Diomante to construct several additional examples with Bizzarrini’s involvement.

Discovered in France during the early 1990s, this P538 was later examined in 2009 by noted Bizzarrini authority Jack Koobs de Hartog in an effort to clarify the car’s early history prior to restoration. After carefully inspecting the chassis and construction methods, Koobs de Hartog presented detailed photographs of the unrestored frame, body, and components to Giotto Bizzarrini himself, who immediately recognized the hallmarks of his workmanship, confirming he had constructed the chassis in the 1970s and that his wife, Rosanna, had fabricated the striking bodywork to Giorgetto Giugiaro’s original design.

A comprehensive restoration was subsequently completed in 2015, returning the car to a striking period-correct appearance. The car subsequently received its FIA Historic Technical Passport (which expired in December 2025) as well as its FIVA Identity Card (issued in February 2017), both of which state its year of manufacture as 1966. The car participated in the Goodwood Revival Whitsun Trophy race in 2023 under the care of the current owner.

Ideally suited for the world’s premier concours and historic racing events, this magnificent P538 has already secured a transferable invitation to compete in the 2026 Goodwood Revival Whitsun Trophy, offering its next custodian an exceptional opportunity to campaign one of Bizzarrini’s most celebrated creations on the world stage.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mo26/.

1976 Bizzarrini P538 | RM Sotheby's | The Monterey Auction

1976 Bizzarrini P538 | RM Sotheby's | The Monterey Auction

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