Lot 240: 1966 ASA 1000 GT Spyder

One family owner from new - Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance prize winnerThe ASA 1000 GT was evolved from a concept for a small Ferrari in 1959. Eventually the rights for the design were transferred to Auto Costruzioni Societa Per Azioni, or ASA for short, which was organised to produce the small GT. Under the shapely Giugiaro designed Bertone body was a chassis and engine by the great Giotto Bizzarini. Suspension was by tubular wishbones and coil springs at the front with a semi-elliptical leaf sprung live rear axle. The jewel of an engine was a double overhead camshaft four-cylinder unit displacing 1,032cc and producing approximately 91bhp at 6,800rpm via a pair of Weber carburettors. This may not sound like much but the contemporary 1,798cc MGB only generated 95bhp and the base 1,290cc Alfa Romeo Giulietta pumped out 92bhp; against cars with a similar engine displacement there was no comparison. Mated to a slick four speed transmission, the lovely little, crackle-finished, twin-cam' four, like the best Italian engine, was born to rev. It was made for winding secondary roads, where its sound and feel were more significant than its actual speed. The interior leaves no doubt that the ASA 1000 GT is a true driver's car, with the Nardi steering wheel offering a clear view of the large Jaeger tachometer, speedometer and five auxiliary gauges. Add comfortable bucket seats and a roomy, well finished cockpit and it was clear that this was not an inexpensive car. Indeed, price proved to be the primary obstacle that faced this supremely competent automobile. In 1964, it was approaching $6,000 dollars in America. Not only was this tremendously expensive for a one litre car in 1964, it was several hundred dollars more than a new Jaguar E Type and about the same price as the brutally fast AC Cobra. As a result, the venture was terminated in 1967 with fewer than 100 cars having been built, eleven of which were officially produced in Spider form according to factory records and of these a mere five survive today including the prototype. This exceptional example we are proud to offer is not only one of these five remaining spyders but also that prototype, and it is widely regarded as the most original in existence. Chassis 10011036 has been in the same ownership from new and carries its original Como black registration number. ASI, the Italian historic motoring body, awarded the car with 6.1 points, the highest possible accolade for originality. The spyder has been driven sparingly during its life and this explains how, 47 years later, this thoroughbred sports car still has its original paint and upholstery. In 2003 this car, finished in light metallic green with tan interior, appeared at the famous Villa D'Este Concourse d'Elegance where it was awarded for its original condition. The engine has recently been fully rebuilt and the whole car, which has just returned from its first service, has been checked over mechanically. Without doubt this is the most authentic ASA 1000 GT Coys has ever come across, a car for the connoisseur: one owner from new, low mileage, ultra original and to the ultimate specification. It's hard not to see what makes this 'time warp' car unique. Accompanied by its original hard top, ASI and FIVA paperwork, this represents an un-missable opportunity to acquire what is regarded as possibly the finest small `displacement GT of the post-war era. Questo eccezionale esemplare che siamo orgogliosi di poter offrire oggi il primo prototipo costruito e uno dei soli quattro rimasti considerato il pi originale ancora in vita. Il telaio 10011036 stato in possesso di un unico proprietario e porta ancora la targa originale nera CO. L'ASI le ha riconosciuto 6,1 punti, il massimo per originalit. Questa Spider stata usata poco durante tutta la sua vita e ci spiega come a 47 anni di distanza gli interni e la vernice siano ancora quelli originali.Nel 2003 questa vettura ha preso parte al famoso Concorso d'Eleganza Villa D'Este dove fu premiata per l'eccezionale stato di conservazione e anche recentemente le stato dedicato un servizio di 16 pagine sulla rivista "Automobilismo d'epoca". Il motore stato ricostruito completamente e da poco stato revisionato per la prima volta, quando l'auto stata rivista anche sotto l'aspetto della meccanica. sicuramente la pi autentica ASA 1000 GT esistente ed pertanto un'auto apprezzabile dai pi fini conoscitori: proprietario unico, pochi chilometri, originalissima fino nei pi piccoli dettagli. Accompagnata dal suo hard top originale, documenti ASI e passaporto FIVA un'occasione imperdibile e irripetibile per assicurarsi un pezzo di storia post bellica.