ASA 1000GT 1092cc 411 Coupe
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Car producer : |
ASA |
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Model: |
1000GT 1092cc 411 Coupe |
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Year: |
1964-1969 |
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Type: |
Coupe |
ASA (Autocostruzioni Società per Azioni) was an Italian automobile manufacturer, was founded in Turin in 1962 by the de Nora family, the main product of which was the ASA 1000 GT. The car was developed by Giotto Bizzarrini from a Ferrari design, and manufactured by the company in Milan (in a factory owned by the De Nora Electrochemical Group) from 1964 to 1969. The 1000 GT model was presented in 1962, but production started two years later. Bodywork was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone.
This small GT car featured an OHC 1,032 cc (63.0 cu in) four-cylinder engine designed by Ferrari engineers, for a Ferrari project, originally dubbed "Ferrarina." The original engine design was basically a four-cylinder, 850 cc (52 cu in) slice of a Colombo V12 from a Ferrari 212, complete with characteristic "clothes pin" valve springs, and breathing through two Weber 40 DCOE9 carburetors. The 1000 GT featured a double wishbone arrangement for its front suspension, with a live axle at the rear. Both ends of the car featured coils springs, tubular dampers, and an anti-roll bar, as well as disk brakes. The coupe model was bodied in steel, with aluminum for the hood and trunk lids. The coupé body was mounted on a tubular steel chassis, while the advanced specification included servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes and a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox with overdrive. Top speed was in the region of 180km/h. A Spider version appeared the following year. Unfortunately, like many small producers of expensive, hand crafted vehicles, ASA struggled and in 1967 production ceased after an estimated 90-or-so Coupés and a smaller number of Spiders (one source states 14-20) had been built.
A racing version of the 1000 GT Coupe had a 1,092 cc (66.6 cu in) engine which produced 95hp (71 kW); later versions featured 105hp (78 kW). Only a few of the cars were made, but they had a good deal of success at Italian sporting events.
Special version of the ASA 1000, called the 411 GT, lighter and more powerful than the 1000 GT and for serious sporty purposes. According to the work of Franco Varisco on the marque, "The Ferrarina" 411 has a slightly larger engine of 1092cc developing 104bhp which is not mentioned in the libretto, where the car is designated a 1000 GT. Its aluminum body was built by coachbuilder Marazzi, from Caronno Pertusella, and weighs 110 kg less than the steel body of the 1000 GT and features faired in Perspex headlamps. The sliding side windows and rear window are plexiglass and the cockpit also includes special equipment: the Nardi steering wheel has been replaced by a Momo steering wheel with perforated leather-clad spokes, and dashboard instruments are arranged slightly differently too. Under the passenger grab handle is a small reading lamp. The door panels are more basic and include large storage compartments, while the transmission tunnel and storage space at the back are covered with Just four 411 GTs were ever produced.
A few larger four- and six-cylinder vehicles were individually built to order; almost all were prototypes. All had fiberglass bodywork.
