After a few weeks of preparation, the illustrious 1967 Bizzarrini Strada of my late good friend Gerd Eckstein was picked up today on it’s way to the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance in Pebble Beach, California. It was purchased from Mr. Colosio in Italy and after driving it to the Monza (Italy) race track together I shipped it to his home in California in 2005. He showed it at Pebble Beach that year and again at Concorso Italiano in 2006 – in both places it won it’s deserved prizes.
It has not seen much use in the following years and now it needed some work for the upcoming 50 Year Bizzarrini show. The car had received a (partial) new paint job in its original color around 2000 and we had to put some effort in to revive it so it would be presentable for the show. There were also some mechanical issues which were solved and it was brought back to perfect running and driving condition. This week, Gerd Eckstein’s son Michael and daughter Verena will be driving it on the Tour d’ Elegance so I had to make extra sure the car would give no trouble. Actually, this was the first time it was in the same location as another car Mr. Colosion owned; the most important Bizzarrini Grifo A3/C B0211 – the first car Giotto delivered with the new style rear glass. It seems the world is a small place – especially when it comes to such rare cars.
Today was the day it was picked up and we had to scramble to get everything done in time, Bill the paint detailer was still putting the last work in and even Dixie and Talia helped. It looks radiant and will honor Mr. Gerd Eckstein posthumously by its presence as this is the first time the Iso-Bizzarrini world knows he will not attend in person anymore. Luckily his family keeps his dream alive and make sure his legacy goes on. I’m proud we were involved in it and look forward to seeing a mostly unrestored Bizzarrini with such provenance on the lawn among all the other magnificent cars Giotto left us with. Have a safe trip!
