Vehicle Description
In the days before the days of the 246 Dino, Enzo Ferrari himself
once sought to extend the reach of his company via an entry level
sports car that he planned to design, then license the construction
to an outside firm. At a year-end press conference in 1959, Enzo
displayed a prototype of the engine and announced it would go into
specially designed smallbore sports car. Known internally as "854"
(850cc, 4 cylinders), the tiny engine looked very much like
one-third of a 250-series V12 (if you imagine another inline four
and a V4 left over). While in development, the engine was fitted to
a Fiat 1200 test mule that had been modified to handle the new
powerplant and fitted with a strange mix of leftover and new
Pininfarina panels, built by Scaglietti to look like a 250 PF coupe
in miniature. Journalists dubbed the car "Ferrarina" despite it
wearing nothing in the way of identification (save for a mysterious
machine gun badge) as they had spotted none other than Enzo Ferrari
himself driving the prototype every day as part of its development.
Enzo Ferrari never had the intention of building the car himself
despite his staunch support of the project. He shopped around the
first prototype to a number of manufacturing facilities (including
an Italian arms company, explaining the badging) but found no
takers. Regardless, development continued, as the great Giotto
Bizzarrini designed a new chassis to accommodate an updated, 985
c.c. version of the four-cylinder engine. The tubular chassis
resembled that of a scaled down 250 GT, with double wishbones up
front, a live axle with trailing arms in the rear and a set of
specially designed Dunlop disc brakes. A new prototype featured a
sleek and purposeful fastback body by Bertone. Finally, a deal was
struck with the De Nora family of Milan and several former racing
drivers who agreed to build the car under the newly formed
Autocostruzioni Societa per Azioni banner. Despite its exquisite
quality and Ferrari cachet, sales were sluggish, and ASA could not
build enough cars to keep costs low enough to compete with Lancia,
Alfa Romeo or even Abarth. In the end, just 52 coupes, 14 spyders
and 20 post-Ferrari "Berlinetta 411s" were produced. 32 of those
coupes would come to American shores. Yet, in spite of the
commercial failure, the ASA 1000 GT has become a highly collectible
piece of classic Italian etceterini and Ferrari history. We are
pleased to offer this rare and exquisite 1967 ASA 1000 GT. This
beautifully restored example is one of just 32 original US spec
cars, and was first sold on March 16, 1967 via Luigi Chinetti
Motors. The original invoice shows this car, S/N 01196, was
purchased by Ms. Ruth Lesson of Duanesburg, NY. At $5,967 the ASA
was no bargain, and Ms. Lesson traded her 1964 Mercury Comet
Cyclone Coupe in for a $1570.00 credit. While the ASA lacked the
grunt of the Mercury, it was certainly a step up in terms of
handling, build quality and exclusivity. The extensive history file
shows it was sold by the Lessons in 1986 to William G. Inglis, a
noted Ferrari enthusiast from California. Notes show the car had
been off the road since the 1970s, with unknown engine problems.
The little ASA remained with Mr. Inglis for many years, and in the
1990s he commissioned the highly respected restorer Mike Regalia to
perform a comprehensive, multi-year restoration. The ASA was
repainted to a very high standard in the red it wears today, the
drivetrain fully rebuilt, and the interior fully restored to
original spec using correct style black upholstery. The car traded
hands in 2004, joining Ed Brown's collection in Albuquerque, New
Mexico. Mr. Brown enjoyed the little ASA for several more years
before selling it on where it became part of another large
collection of rare Italian sports cars. Today, the ASA presents in
beautiful condition, the concours quality restoration having
matured nicely with some careful use and enjoyment on the road. One
of the reasons the ASA 1000 GT was so expensive in its day was its
exceptional build quality, and this example does not disappoint
thanks to excellent panel fit and fine detailing. The paintwork
remains in very good condition, and the delicate chrome bumpers and
trim are straight and beautifully presented. The body wears correct
Carello lights and ASA/Bertone badging as original. It rides on
factory original knock-off alloy wheels, made for ASA by Borrani.
The wheels are wrapped in classic-style rubber to round out the
period correct look. Under the bonnet is the 1,000 c.c.
four-cylinder engine that looks quite familiar to anyone with early
Ferrari V12 experience. This is the original, matching-numbers
engine; fully rebuilt as part of the restoration and well detailed
with correct fittings including correct Weber 40DCOE carburetors,
tubular exhaust header, as well as ancillaries such as correct
reservoirs, washer bag, and wrinkle finish paints. Records show the
original flywheel was lightened during the extensive engine
rebuild, making the already eager little engine even happier to
rev. The junior Ferrari theme continues inside the cockpit, which
has been fully restored in correct black upholstery and light gray
carpets. Switchgear and controls fall easily to hand and the seats
are comfortable, with plenty of room even for six-footers. A
gorgeous Nardi wheel falls easily to hand and the driver faces a
clear array of ASA-branded Jaeger dials. On the road, the
Bizzarrini-designed chassis is balanced and lively, with light
steering, a positive gearshift, perfectly suited to the
intoxicating engine with its distinct, staccato exhaust note.
Included in the sale is an extensive history file with numerous
receipts and records, original invoice, magazine articles, photos,
as well as original manuals and brochures. Eligible for numerous
driving events and concours worldwide, this exquisite, intoxicating
automobile is an outstanding example of the rare and charming baby
Ferrari, a car that was worthy of praise from il Commendatore
himself.