Bizzarrini 5300 GT America Draws $1 Million Bid, but Seller Holds Firm

A rare Bizzarrini 5300 GT America attracted a top bid of $1,025,000 on Bring a Trailer, but the seller chose not to part with the 57-year-old sports car. The decision raised eyebrows among collectors, given the model’s scarcity and the strength of the offer.

The Bizzarrini 5300 GT traces its roots to 1968, when Giotto Bizzarrini and engineer Renzo Rivolta collaborated on a grand tourer built with competition in mind. The initial version, the 5300 GT Corsa, used a lightweight composite body and an advanced rear suspension layout. Alongside it, the company produced the road-going Strada, resulting in a total run of just 133 cars.

The America variant adapted the formula for the United States, blending elements from both the racing and street models. It arrived with a 5.3-liter Chevrolet V8 producing 370 PS, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Estimates suggest only around 10 examples were delivered in the U.S., making surviving cars especially desirable.

The car recently offered online carries a well-documented history, including regular servicing and multiple restorations, and shows 13,500 kilometers, or roughly 8,400 miles. Its ownership chain is relatively short compared with many cars of similar age, helping explain the strong bidding activity.

Still, the refusal to sell may reveal the owner’s long-term expectations. Interest in the Bizzarrini marque was renewed last year when the revived company announced a modern supercar called the Giotto. While updates on that project have been limited, a successful launch could influence the value of vintage models. Holding out for a higher future return may have outweighed the appeal of the seven-figure offer.

For now, the unsold GT America remains one of the rarest Italian-American hybrids of its era, and its market trajectory will likely continue to draw close attention from collectors and enthusiasts.