ASA (automobile)

The ASA 1000 GT originated in a late 1950s experimental project by Ferrari engineers to create a less expensive, compact alternative to existing Ferrari GT cars. This project was designated "854" by the factory (for 850cc, 4 cylinders), however it was commonly but unofficially named "Ferrarina," meaning "Little Ferrari."[3]

The "Ferrarina" engine was derived from a late 1950s experimental inline-4, designated Tipo 122. This was basically a four-cylinder, 850 cc (52 cu in) slice of a Colombo V12 from a Ferrari 212, with a bore and stroke of 65 x 64mm and supplied by two Weber 38DCO carburetors. The Tipo 122 engine produced 68 horsepower (51 kW) at 7000 rpm. The Tipo 122 was followed by the more powerful and slightly higher displacement Tipo 125 and 126 engines. The Tipo 126 engine displaced 973 cc and produced 86 horsepower (64 kW) at 7000 rpm. These engines were tested in the "Ferrarina" prototype, a 2-door notchback coupe on a Fiat 1100 or 1200 chassis with a Pininfarina body, which was used by Enzo Ferrari as his personal transportation for some time in the late 1950s.[2][3] The final engine design was completed in 1960 as the Tipo 141, with 1032cc displacement, bore and stroke of 69 mm x 69 mm, a single overhead cam and two Weber 38DCOA carburetors. According to Ferrari's records, this engine produced 100 horsepower (75 kW) at 7200 rpm with a 9:1 compression ratio.[2]

Following Ferrari's development work on the 854/"Ferrarina" prototype, a new prototype called the "Mille" ("one thousand" in Italian) was shown at the 1961 Turin Auto Show on the Bertone stand. The Mille was an entirely new car based on the 854 project, with 2-door fastback coupé bodywork designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone.[2][3] Although this prototype had no Ferrari badging, its design echoed contemporary Ferrari GT models and the origin of the design within Ferrari was well publicized.[3] Despite positive publicity and official support of the project from Ferrari, at the time of the Mille's debut there were no plans for Ferrari to mass-produce the design. Ferrari engineers had planned around annual production of 3000-5000 cars, which would sell for approximately US$2600 each. Not only was the Ferrari factory inadequate for this kind of volume production, Enzo Ferrari was unwilling to expand it in order to produce the Mille. Even before the Turin debut of the Mille, Ferrari had begun searching for another company that would buy the design and bring it to market.[3]

ASA 1000 GT rear view

ASA head of operations Niccolò de Nora (kneeling) and Giotto Bizzarrini (right) inspecting an ASA 1000 GTC alongside ASA staff

By 1962, Enzo Ferrari decided to entrust production of the Ferrarina to close friend Oronzio de Nora and his son, Niccolò de Nora. The de Nora Electrochemical Group formed a new company for this purpose under the name ASA (Autocostruzioni Società per Azioni). ASA operations were headed by Niccolò de Nora. Also involved in ASA management were race drivers Lorenzo Bandini, Gerino Gerini, and Giancarlo Baghetti and engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. The new firm had its headquarters on via San Faustino in Milan.[1][2][3][4]

The ASA 1000 GT production version, almost unchanged from the "Mille" prototype, was officially introduced at the 1962 Turin Auto Show. Despite this debut, due to production difficulties series production of the 1000 GT did not begin until 1964.[2][3] The production 1000 GT used the 1032cc Tipo 141 I4 engine fitted with 40DCOE9 carburetors. It produced a stated 91 horsepower (68 kW) at 6800 rpm, a HP/Litre ratio better than the contemporary Ferrari 275 GTB.[2] Other sources report an output of 95.6 horsepower (71.3 kW) at 7000 rpm.[3] Production cars used a tubular spaceframe chassis designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, based on the 250 GTO. It was equipped with double wishbone front suspension and a live axle at the rear. Both front and rear of the car were equipped with coil springs, tubular dampers, an anti-roll bar and disk brakes. The coupe was bodied in steel with aluminum hood and trunk lids and weighed 1,720 pounds (780 kg) dry.[2] Autocar magazine tested the 1000 GT shortly after its introduction and recorded a 0-60 mph time of 14.0 seconds and a 1/4 mile run in 19.3 seconds.[3]

At least two fiberglass-bodied convertibles were also produced.[2] One of the convertibles was displayed at the 1962 Turin auto show alongside the coupe. Other than the fiberglass body, the convertible was mechanically identical to the 1000 GT coupe.[3]

The first production ASA 1000 GT couple was sold for $5920 in September 1964. Luigi Chinetti was the sole US importer of ASA and a majority of the 1000 GT production was sent to his dealership.[2][3] Despite reportedly excellent driving dynamics and reliability, 1000 GT sales were low. The brand had little name recognition and Chinetti's American customers in particular preferred the much more powerful Ferraris.[2] Additionally, the 1000 GT was extremely expensive for the performance offered, with retail prices around US$6000 when a new Chevrolet Corvette equipped with a much more powerful 427 c.i. V8 engine cost US$4500. In order to sell their stock of ASAs, Chinetti's dealership steadily lowered prices during the late 1960s and early 1970s. A new 1000 GT sold for $1800 in 1973, far below cost.[3]

ASA production never achieved the anticipated volume of 3000-5000 cars per year. Even when series production was fully operational during 1964 and 1965, only one car was built per week.[3] Exact production figures are unknown, but sources agree that less than 100 ASA cars of all types were constructed.[2][3] One source estimates that 50-75 1000 GTs were produced in total between 1964 and 1967, with an additional handful of convertibles and competition cars.[3] The ASA factory officially closed in 1967, but some cars were assembled from spare parts and sold as new up through the early 1970s.[2][3]