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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2013 => Topic started by: Carnut on August 08, 2013, 07:32:04 AM

Title: Solved - NEH 2877: Bizzarrini P538 - probably late replica
Post by: Carnut on August 08, 2013, 07:32:04 AM
For an easy Rookie point, identify this car?

ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS OBTAINED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!
Title: Re: NEH 2877
Post by: Lofotleif on August 13, 2013, 11:05:12 AM
Italian?
Title: Re: NEH 2877
Post by: Carnut on August 13, 2013, 11:11:56 AM
Italian?

Yes.
Title: Re: NEH 2877
Post by: Lofotleif on August 13, 2013, 01:42:35 PM
Bizzarrini?
Title: Re: NEH 2877
Post by: Carnut on August 13, 2013, 02:11:28 PM
Bizzarrini?

Yes, so it's locked for you to answer the question fully.
Title: Re: NEH 2877
Post by: Lofotleif on August 13, 2013, 02:52:11 PM
Is this one of the 3 "P538 Le Mans Anniversario" built between 2006 & 2009 ?
Title: Re: NEH 2877
Post by: Carnut on August 13, 2013, 03:54:12 PM
Is this one of the 3 "P538 Le Mans Anniversario" built between 2006 & 2009 ?

It's a P538, yes, but I'll have to check into whether it's one of the new ones; I thought it was an original.
In fact I've already had one of the new ones as a puzzle..
Reverting on that.
Title: Re: NEH 2877
Post by: Lofotleif on August 13, 2013, 05:41:42 PM
Ok, a little bit confusing maybe, but I think that the P538 was built in three series.
One series consisting of 4 cars in the sixties, another series in the mid seventies, 2 cars, and then the last(?) 3 from 2006 to 2009.
Anyway - is this one solved or is there any more details missing?
Title: Re: NEH 2877
Post by: Carnut on August 13, 2013, 06:22:58 PM
Ok, a little bit confusing maybe, but I think that the P538 was built in three series.
One series consisting of 4 cars in the sixties, another series in the mid seventies, 2 cars, and then the last(?) 3 from 2006 to 2009.
Anyway - is this one solved or is there any more details missing?

It's solved - you've provided what I was looking for so just waiting for me to check now if it's from the 1960's or what!  Reverting tomorrow.
Title: Re: NEH 2877
Post by: Carnut on August 13, 2013, 06:47:21 PM
Below is the original image of the puzzle car, but I'm afraid I have no idea if it's a 1968 original or if it's one of the later ones.  Perhaps a Bizzarrini expert can tell us how to spot the difference?!
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2877: Bizzarrini P538
Post by: Avalanche on August 13, 2013, 08:47:00 PM
There are way too many things wrong to think it is one of the originals. I suspect it's a replica of some sort. I've seen hundreds of images of the elusive P538 cars and have never seen this one.

Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2877: Bizzarrini P538
Post by: nicanary on August 14, 2013, 05:11:50 AM
There are way too many things wrong to think it is one of the originals. I suspect it's a replica of some sort. I've seen hundreds of images of the elusive P538 cars and have never seen this one.

I agree. I have never seen one with a roll hoop enclosed in that way. I suspect that this is one of the "continuation" models.
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2877: Bizzarrini P538 - probably late replica
Post by: 75america on August 14, 2013, 05:34:59 AM
The car has a Belgian "O" license plate which means it is registered as an oldtimer, so at least the basis of the car had to be 25 years old when this picture was taken.
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2877: Bizzarrini P538 - probably late replica
Post by: Carnut on August 14, 2013, 05:41:15 AM
The car has a Belgian "O" license plate which means it is registered as an oldtimer, so at least the basis of the car had to be 25 years old when this picture was taken.

Thanks for that useful info.
So the newest it could be is late 1980s..
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2877: Bizzarrini P538 - probably late replica
Post by: nicanary on August 14, 2013, 06:15:12 AM
The original P538 appeared in 1966. According to the Wikipedia entry, the continuation cars were constructed to commission between the mid-70s and mid-90s,  and it is believed up to 8 in number were built using the original body mould, but with a variety of engines. Any Belgian forum members know who owns this ?
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2877: Bizzarrini P538 - probably late replica
Post by: 75america on August 14, 2013, 08:15:17 AM
According to the book 'Bizzarrini A technician devoted to motor-racing' by Winston Goodfellow:

- 3 original P538's
+ Salvatore Diomante's Autocostruzioni SD also made the following:

- +/- 1977: 2 Lamborghini engined P538's commissioned by Luciano Bertolero
- 1978: rebodied Porsche 911 with P538 body, but with gullwing doors
- Similar work done on Porsche 906 mechanicals
- 1979: different chassis with similar P538 body, but unique. Powered by a Chevy 327 V8, commissioned by Jaques Lavost
- Early eighties P538 with Alfa romeo 33 wheels commissioned by a client from Monaco