Autocostruzioni Societa per Azioni (ASA) was established in Turin in 1962 by the wealthy industrialist de Nora family. Based on a proposed ‘baby’ Ferrari designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, the ASA GT, affectionately known as the ‘Ferrarina,’ featured an all-aluminium single-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1,032cc. This engine was based on Ferrari’s Colombo-designed V12 and further developed by Carlo Chiti, a senior engineer at Maranello.
Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro and initially built by Carrozzeria Bertone, the coupé body was mounted on a tubular steel chassis. The advanced specification included servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes and a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox with overdrive, enabling a top speed of around 180 km/h. A Spider version was introduced the following year.
Unfortunately, like many small producers of expensive, handcrafted vehicles, ASA faced significant financial challenges. In 1967, production ceased after an estimated 90 coupés and a smaller number of spiders (with sources suggesting between 14 and 20) had been built.
Photos by Jeremy Sandler courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
