1979 Bizzarrini P538
- Engine
- 5.3L (327 cu. in.) Chevrolet small-block V8, four side-draft Weber carburetors with crossflow manifold
The Bizzarrini P538 is a rare mid-engined racing spider bodied by Giorgetto Giugiaro and powered by a Chevrolet 327 cubic-inch small-block V8. Two examples were entered at the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours, both failing to finish. This particular chassis, B04, was commissioned after the company's 1970 bankruptcy by Frenchman Jacques Lavost — later director of the French Iso and Bizzarrini owners club — and completed in 1979 following an extended construction period. Notable features include enlarged door air intakes and triangular roll bars, plus a unique crossflow intake manifold fabricated by former Bizzarrini foreman Salvatore Diomante.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €475,000 – €525,000
- 1970 → 2001-04-01Factory deliveryJacques Lavostpartial documentation
French enthusiast who later led the French Iso and Bizzarrini owners club; commissioned the car from Bizzarrini and former foreman Diomante, with construction reportedly spanning nine years through 1979. Vehicle was registered in France under his name by 1994. A handwritten letter from Lavost dated 2001 and a copy of his French title are retained in the history file.
- 2002 →Acquisition unknownDavide di Bernardipartial documentation
Acquired the car by 2002, during which time an ASI identity certificate was issued. A restoration was carried out during the mid-2000s under this ownership.
- 2013 →Private saleCalifornia-based collectorpartial documentation
Current consignor purchased the vehicle in 2013 and had the engine rebuilt at that time; the car has seen minimal use since acquisition.
Competition
- 19661966 Le Mans 24 HoursDNF — one car retired with steering failure around hour three; second car disqualified for a pit lane infringement roughly two hours later
Two P538s were entered by Bizzarrini; neither reached the finish. The cars were powered by a 327 cu. in. Chevrolet V-8 and wore Giugiaro-designed spider coachwork.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2013Engine rebuild
The 327 cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 was fully rebuilt at the time of purchase by the current owner; the engine retains four side-draft Weber carburetors and a crossflow manifold made by Diomante.
Limited use reported following the rebuild.
- —Restoration
A comprehensive restoration was carried out during the mid-2000s while the car was in the ownership of Davide di Bernardi.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.