ASA
ASA was an Italian sports-car manufacturer that produced the compact Ferrari-derived 1000 GT and a small number of racing cars during the 1960s.
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Overview
ASA, short for Autocostruzioni Società per Azioni, was an Italian automobile manufacturer active principally during the 1960s. The company was established to commercialize a compact sports car originally developed inside Ferrari. The project began in the late 1950s as Ferrari experimental program 854, an attempt to create a smaller and less expensive alternative to the company’s larger grand touring cars. The concept became informally known as the “Ferrarina,” or “Little Ferrari.” Ferrari engineers derived the car’s four-cylinder engine architecture from Gioacchino Colombo’s family of Ferrari V12 engines. The final production engine, designated Tipo 141, displaced approximately 1.0 litre and used a single overhead camshaft and twin Weber carburetors. Although small, it was designed for high specific output and was installed in a lightweight sports car with a tubular chassis associated with Giotto Bizzarrini and influenced by the architecture of the Ferrari 250 GTO. The prototype was presented by Carrozzeria Bertone at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show under the name Mille. Giorgetto Giugiaro designed its fastback coupé bodywork. The prototype attracted attention because of its Ferrari origins, but Ferrari did not want to expand its own factory to support the projected production volume. Enzo Ferrari therefore arranged for the project to be transferred to his friend Oronzio de Nora and de Nora’s son Niccolò. The De Nora Electrochemical Group formed ASA to manufacture the car independently of Ferrari. The production car, named ASA 1000 GT, was shown publicly at the 1962 Turin Auto Show. Manufacturing difficulties delayed series production until 1964. The car combined a steel coupé body with aluminum hood and trunk panels, a compact 1,032 cc four-cylinder engine, independent front suspension, a live rear axle, coil springs, disc brakes, and a Bizzarrini-related tubular spaceframe. Its low weight and responsive handling gave it credible sporting ability, but the car’s price was high relative to its modest engine output. ASA appointed Luigi Chinetti as its sole United States importer, and a substantial portion of production was directed toward his dealership. The company nevertheless struggled to establish a distinct market identity. Buyers seeking a Ferrari-branded car generally wanted greater performance, while buyers considering compact sports cars often found the ASA too expensive. Production remained extremely limited, falling far short of the several thousand cars per year originally contemplated. Exact production totals are uncertain, but available accounts place total ASA output below 100 cars across road and competition variants. In addition to the 1000 GT coupé, ASA built or developed a small number of convertibles and racing models. These included the 1000 GTC, the enlarged and lightened Berlinetta 411, the RB613 or Roll Bar 1300, and the RB618 or Roll Bar 1800. ASA competition cars appeared in events including the Targa Florio, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Daytona 24 Hours, and the Sebring 12 Hours. Results were limited, and the Le Mans entries did not finish, although NART-entered cars completed the Daytona and Sebring events. The ASA factory officially closed in 1967. Some cars were reportedly completed from remaining parts and sold as new into the early 1970s, while the brand itself ceased automobile manufacturing. Today ASA is chiefly remembered by collectors for the rare 1000 GT, its Ferrari engineering lineage, Giugiaro-designed body, Bizzarrini-associated chassis development, and unusually small production run.
History
ASA grew out of Ferrari’s late-1950s effort to build a smaller sports car. The internal project, identified as 854, used an experimental four-cylinder engine derived from the architecture of Ferrari’s Colombo V12. Early versions displaced about 850 cc, while subsequent development produced larger and more powerful engines. A prototype was used by Enzo Ferrari as personal transportation, helping demonstrate the feasibility of the compact design. The project was substantially reworked into the Mille prototype, which Carrozzeria Bertone displayed in 1961. The fastback coupé was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and deliberately communicated a relationship to Ferrari GT cars without carrying Ferrari badges. Ferrari supported the concept but decided not to manufacture it itself. The factory lacked the capacity for the intended several-thousand-car annual volume, and Enzo Ferrari did not choose to make the necessary expansion. Production responsibility was transferred to Oronzio and Niccolò de Nora. Their De Nora Electrochemical Group established ASA in Milan in 1962. The company’s management included racing drivers Lorenzo Bandini, Gerino Gerini, and Giancarlo Baghetti, while Giotto Bizzarrini was involved in the engineering and tubular chassis development. The production car was introduced as the ASA 1000 GT at the 1962 Turin Auto Show. The production version retained much of the Mille’s design. Its Tipo 141 engine displaced 1,032 cc and produced approximately 91 horsepower in the stated specification, with some contemporary accounts reporting a somewhat higher figure. The car used a steel body with aluminum panels, a lightweight tubular frame, double-wishbone front suspension, a live rear axle, coil springs, dampers, anti-roll bars, and disc brakes. Its combination of small dimensions, low weight, and high-revving engine produced a distinctive form of performance, but it also made the car expensive compared with larger-displacement rivals. Series production began in 1964 after delays caused by manufacturing difficulties. Luigi Chinetti served as the sole United States importer, and many cars were shipped to his dealership. The ASA had favorable driving characteristics and was considered reliable, but it suffered from weak brand recognition and an unfavorable value comparison. Customers who could afford a Ferrari often preferred the more powerful Ferrari models, while American sports-car buyers could obtain much greater engine performance from cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette at a lower price. Production remained at a very low rate. During the best operating period, the factory reportedly built only about one car per week. Estimates differ, but sources generally agree that fewer than 100 cars of all types were completed. One frequently cited estimate places 1000 GT production at roughly 50 to 75 cars between 1964 and 1967, with a handful of convertibles and competition cars produced in addition. The factory formally closed in 1967, although remaining components were used to assemble and sell some cars into the early 1970s. Chinetti’s dealership reduced prices substantially to clear inventory. ASA also pursued competition activities. The 1000 GTC was developed in 1963 through the Società Autostar workshop, using a reduced-displacement engine and a lightweight aluminum body designed and built by Piero Drogo’s Carrozzeria Sports Cars. The 1300 GTC followed as a larger-engine development and appeared at the Trento-Bondone hill climb in 1966. The Berlinetta 411, shown at the 1965 Paris Motor Show, used a 1,092 cc engine, an aluminum body, plexiglass windows, wider tires, and other competition modifications. The RB613, or Roll Bar 1300, used a fiberglass body designed by Luigi Chinetti Jr. and built by Carrozzeria Corbetta. Two examples entered the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, one for the ASA works team and one for Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team, but neither finished. A NART-entered car finished 24th at the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours, and the same driver pairing finished 25th at the 1967 Sebring 12 Hours. A related RB618, or Roll Bar 1800, was developed for the American market, although its production and competition record are unclear. ASA’s commercial life was brief, but its cars survived as rare collector automobiles. The marque’s historical importance rests on its unusual position between Ferrari development project and independent manufacturer, as well as the involvement of Ferrari engineers, Bizzarrini, Bertone, Giugiaro, Chinetti, and specialist racing constructors.
- 1967
Factory closes
[1]ASA’s factory officially closes after production falls far below the planned volume. Cars assembled from remaining parts continue to appear afterward.
- 1967
NART endurance-racing appearances
[1]A NART-entered RB613 finishes 24th at the Daytona 24 Hours and later 25th at the Sebring 12 Hours.
- 1966
RB613 races at Le Mans
[1]Two ASA RB613 Roll Bar 1300 cars compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans; neither completes the race.
- 1965
Berlinetta 411 shown
[1]The competition-oriented Berlinetta 411 debuts at the Paris Motor Show with an enlarged engine, aluminum body, plexiglass windows, and reduced weight.
- 1965
Targa Florio entries
[1]Two competition-prepared 1000 GTs enter the Targa Florio and finish third and fourth in the 1,000-to-1,600 cc prototype class.
- 1964
Series production begins
[1]After production delays, regular manufacture of the ASA 1000 GT begins. Luigi Chinetti becomes the sole United States importer.
- 1963
1000 GTC developed
[1]Giotto Bizzarrini and Piero Drogo develop the lightweight 1000 GTC competition car through the Società Autostar workshop.
- 1962
ASA is formed
[1]The De Nora Electrochemical Group establishes ASA to manufacture the Ferrari-originated compact sports car, with operations based in Milan.
- 1962
ASA 1000 GT introduced
[1]The production version of the compact coupé is officially introduced at the Turin Auto Show as the ASA 1000 GT.
- 1961
Mille prototype shown
[1]Carrozzeria Bertone presents the Mille fastback coupé prototype, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, at the Geneva Motor Show and later at the Turin Auto Show.
Products and positioning
A technically sophisticated, compact Italian sports-car marque positioned below Ferrari in size and intended price, but with Ferrari-derived engineering and styling associations.
Grand touring sports car · 1962
ASA 1000 GT
ASA’s principal road car was a compact two-door fastback coupé developed from Ferrari’s 854 project and the Bertone Mille prototype. It used a 1,032 cc Tipo 141 inline-four engine with twin Weber carburetors, a tubular spaceframe associated with Giotto Bizzarrini, double-wishbone front suspension, a live rear axle, coil springs, disc brakes, and a largely steel body with aluminum hood and trunk panels. The car was light and technically sophisticated, but its high price and limited brand recognition restricted sales.
Convertible sports car · 1962
ASA 1000 GT Convertible
ASA produced at least two convertible versions related mechanically to the 1000 GT coupé. These cars used fiberglass bodywork while retaining the compact drivetrain and chassis concept of the road-going coupé. One convertible was displayed alongside the coupé at the 1962 Turin Auto Show. The exact production total is not established.
Sports racing car · 1963
ASA 1000 GTC
The 1000 GTC was a lightweight competition derivative developed in 1963 by Giotto Bizzarrini through the Società Autostar workshop. Its engine was reduced to 995 cc for sub-one-litre racing categories, while an aluminum body and competition chassis reduced weight to approximately 590 kg. The body was designed and built by Piero Drogo’s Carrozzeria Sports Cars. A related 1300 GTC with a larger engine appeared at the Trento-Bondone hill climb in 1966.
Competition coupé · 1965
ASA Berlinetta 411
The Berlinetta 411 was a competition version of the 1000 GT introduced at the 1965 Paris Motor Show. Its engine was enlarged to 1,092 cc and developed approximately 104 bhp in the stated specification. An all-aluminum body, plexiglass windows, wider tires, a competition fuel filler, and other modifications reduced dry weight to about 709 kg. The number produced is unknown.
Endurance racing car · 1966
ASA RB613 Roll Bar 1300
The RB613 was a fiberglass-bodied competition car with an integrated roll bar, giving rise to the Roll Bar name. It used a 1.3-litre straight-six engine derived from half of the Ferrari 250 V12 design. Luigi Chinetti Jr. designed the aerodynamic body, which was manufactured by Carrozzeria Corbetta. Factory and NART examples competed at Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring, with limited finishing success.
Competition sports car
ASA RB618 Roll Bar 1800
The RB618 was a related Roll Bar development with an approximately 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine intended for the American market. Available references identify the model’s development but do not establish a reliable production total or comprehensive racing record.
Brand decisions
1967
Closure of the ASA factoryStrategyBackground
Sales were weak, production was far below the planned level, and the company had not achieved sufficient market recognition.
Action taken
ASA formally closed its factory, while remaining parts were used to complete some cars afterward.
Aftermath
The marque ceased regular automobile manufacturing and became known primarily through surviving collector cars.
1962
Transfer production outside FerrariStrategyBackground
Ferrari had developed the compact sports car but did not want to expand its factory for the projected production volume.
Action taken
Enzo Ferrari entrusted commercialization to Oronzio and Niccolò de Nora, who formed ASA under the De Nora Electrochemical Group.
Aftermath
The car reached production as an independent ASA rather than as a Ferrari-branded model, creating a separate marque with Ferrari engineering associations.
1962
Launch of the ASA 1000 GTProduct launchBackground
The Bertone Mille prototype had received positive attention, but manufacturing development delayed series production.
Action taken
ASA introduced the production 1000 GT at the Turin Auto Show.
Aftermath
Series production eventually began in 1964, but volumes remained very low and the model did not achieve the anticipated market scale.
Sources1 sources
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