1965 ASA 1000 GT

SPECIFICATION

1965 ASA 1000 GT

One of approximately 90 ASA 1000 GT Coupes produced, chassis 01168 is one of only 32 exported to the United States.

Chassis No. 01168 left ASA’s factory in original spec. of Verde with Brown trim destined for the USA and first owner Mr. Mark Derish. After residing stateside for most of its life the car was purchased by the current owner in 2023 and brought to the UK. Starting its meticulous restoration with us last year, this fascinating piece of automotive history will be returned to its original factory spec.

The ASA 100 GT

In the late-1950s it was rumoured that Ferrari was experimenting with a potential entry into the growing and lucrative market of small-engine sports cars. In his 1959 end of season press conference, Enzo Ferrari unveiled a small, 850cc four-cylinder engine designed for a road car. Met with deafening silence, the notion of a sub-1-litre engine was perplexing news from a company revered for its mighty 12-cylinder Testa Rossas. Yet in reality that was the very connection: the 854 engine (850cc, four cylinders) was a slice of the 250 V12, sharing the same valvegear and similar cylinder dimensions.

History isn’t clear as to Enzo’s reason for not continuing the project directly but, fast-forward a few years and the ASA 1000GT was the outcome. Affectionately referred to as “La Ferrarina” or Little Ferrari ASA is an acronym for Autocostruzioni Societa per Azioni, the company that was formed by the De Nora family to build the cars with technical assistance provided by Ferrari.
Today that Maranello pedigree is instantly evident: the ASA’s distinctive headlight pods and wide grille hint at the Ferrari 250GT Lusso, while the pretty fastback lines and petite tail treatment have a touch of the hunched, ready-to-pounce stance of a SWB berlinetta.