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Lot Essay
The saga of the little-known ASA GT involved many of the greatest names in Italian automotive history right to the originator Enzo Ferrari. In 1958 ‘il Commendatore’ instigated the surprising development of a double-ohc 4-cylinder engine of just 850cc. Nicknamed the ‘Ferrarina,’ the mystery prototype was further developed with an increase to 1032cc and fitted into a tubular chassis designed by Giotto Bizzarini, the designer of the fabled 250GTO. Ferrari was so smitten by the prototype he regularly used it as his everyday transport around Modena and Maranello.
Although plans to produce a baby Ferrari were never confirmed, Project 854 was later completed with a sleek GT body designed by the brilliant stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro and constructed by Bertone. Now carrying the name Mille but with no reference to Ferrari, the prototype was debuted on the Carrozeria’s stand at the 1961 Turin Show where it created enthusiastic response.
Although it didn’t fit with his exclusive V12 powered range, Ferrari clearly felt the project was too good to abandon, and the rights to the Mille GT were eventually transferred to the de Noras, a family of wealthy chemical industrialists with ambitions to manufacture sports cars. In 1962 a new company Autocostruzione Societa per Azioni or ASA was founded in Milan to assemble the tempting compact GT. Other than conventional headlights replacing the faired-in Plexiglass of the prototype, Giugiaro’s sharp styling was little changed for production.
With 84bhp powering through a Sunbeam Rapier gearbox with overdrive giving six speeds, the ASA was good for 115mph and 0-60mph in 14secs. Thanks to the Bizzarrini’s development it was blessed with superb handling and with Dunlop discs all round the braking was also excellent. The ASA’s performance was further honed by Italian Grand Prix aces Lorenzo Bandini and Giancarlo Baghetti who joined the management team.
ASA had plans to build a 1000 a year, but even with Luigi Chinetti, the famous Ferrari importer handling American sales, the car proved too expensive at around $6,000 and between 1964-1967, it’s estimated that only 100 were built. Some reports claim just 70 plus seven open top spyders were finished before financial problems surfaced and the ASA factory closed in 1967.
The ASA 1000 GT offered is smartly finished with steel body painted classic rosso and presented with factory original 'knock-off' alloy wheels made by Borrani, this rare Italian GT measures just 12ft 9ins and as an early car from the first year of production is a rare find.
This vehicle is sold as a collector’s item and is sold without warranty, subject to paragraph E1 of our Conditions of Sale, and is sold as seen, not subject to return. Interested buyers are advised to satisfy themselves as to the condition of this vehicle and to seek independent specialist advice on condition if required. Please be advised that this lot will be stored off site in Northampton following the sale. Please refer to our important notices section for full terms relating to this lot.
Although plans to produce a baby Ferrari were never confirmed, Project 854 was later completed with a sleek GT body designed by the brilliant stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro and constructed by Bertone. Now carrying the name Mille but with no reference to Ferrari, the prototype was debuted on the Carrozeria’s stand at the 1961 Turin Show where it created enthusiastic response.
Although it didn’t fit with his exclusive V12 powered range, Ferrari clearly felt the project was too good to abandon, and the rights to the Mille GT were eventually transferred to the de Noras, a family of wealthy chemical industrialists with ambitions to manufacture sports cars. In 1962 a new company Autocostruzione Societa per Azioni or ASA was founded in Milan to assemble the tempting compact GT. Other than conventional headlights replacing the faired-in Plexiglass of the prototype, Giugiaro’s sharp styling was little changed for production.
With 84bhp powering through a Sunbeam Rapier gearbox with overdrive giving six speeds, the ASA was good for 115mph and 0-60mph in 14secs. Thanks to the Bizzarrini’s development it was blessed with superb handling and with Dunlop discs all round the braking was also excellent. The ASA’s performance was further honed by Italian Grand Prix aces Lorenzo Bandini and Giancarlo Baghetti who joined the management team.
ASA had plans to build a 1000 a year, but even with Luigi Chinetti, the famous Ferrari importer handling American sales, the car proved too expensive at around $6,000 and between 1964-1967, it’s estimated that only 100 were built. Some reports claim just 70 plus seven open top spyders were finished before financial problems surfaced and the ASA factory closed in 1967.
The ASA 1000 GT offered is smartly finished with steel body painted classic rosso and presented with factory original 'knock-off' alloy wheels made by Borrani, this rare Italian GT measures just 12ft 9ins and as an early car from the first year of production is a rare find.
This vehicle is sold as a collector’s item and is sold without warranty, subject to paragraph E1 of our Conditions of Sale, and is sold as seen, not subject to return. Interested buyers are advised to satisfy themselves as to the condition of this vehicle and to seek independent specialist advice on condition if required. Please be advised that this lot will be stored off site in Northampton following the sale. Please refer to our important notices section for full terms relating to this lot.