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11/12/2025 10:52 am
1963 ATS 2500 GT
The 1963 ATS 2500 GT is a rare and historically significant Italian sports car, renowned for being one of the first mid-engine production GT cars in the world. It was developed by a group of former top Ferrari engineers and designers in an attempt to rival their former employer, but the company built only an estimated eight to twelve examples before collapsing due to financial issues.
Key Features and History
- "Palace Revolt" Origins: ATS (Automobili Turismo e Sport) was formed after a 1961 walkout by key Ferrari personnel, including engineers Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini and F1 world champion Phil Hill, following disputes with Enzo Ferrari's wife. Their goal was to beat Ferrari on both the racetrack and the street.
- Pioneering Mid-Engine Layout: The 2500 GT was a groundbreaking car, featuring an all-new, compact, mid-mounted 2.5-liter V8 engine and a five-speed Colotti transaxle. This configuration provided optimal weight distribution and superior handling, a layout that Ferrari would not adopt for a V8 road car for another decade.
- Design and Engineering: The car's sleek, fastback body was designed by Franco Scaglione and built by the coachbuilder Allemano. It featured a sophisticated chrome-molybdenum tubular spaceframe chassis and fully independent suspension on all wheels, a very advanced specification for the time.
- Rarity and Collectibility: Only a handful of complete cars were built before the company folded in 1964. This extreme rarity has made surviving examples highly sought after by collectors, with values typically around $1,400,000 or more, depending on condition and provenance.
Specifications (Standard GT Model)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | Mid-mounted, all-aluminum 2.5L 90° V8 |
| Power | 210-220 bhp @ 7500 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual (Colotti) |
| Top Speed | Approximately 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| Body Material | Steel (standard GT); aluminum (GTS competition version) |
| Weight | Approximately 1,800 lbs (816 kg) |
| Suspension | Independent front and rear, double wishbones, coil springs |
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1963 ATS 2500 GT - Supercars.net
The company took full advantage of ther ex-Ferrari expertise and financing by Count Giovanni Volpi. Later when Bizzarrini and Volp...
Supercars.net -
ATS 2500 GT - Wikipedia
ATS 2500 GT. ... The ATS 2500 GT is a sports car made by Italian company Automobili Turismo e Sport in Bologna. It was the first I...
Wikipedia -
1963 ATS 2500 GT Base | Hagerty Valuation Tools
Common Questions * How much is a 1963 ATS 2500 GT worth? The value of a 1963 ATS 2500 GT can vary greatly depending on its conditi...
Hagerty
John Bono
North Jersey
11/12/2025 11:09 am
My first time seeing this little "bon bon", as the DM Boyz used to say. I see influences of the Ferrari Dino in it and some other Italia as well. I'd have a helluva time getting in it but, man, would I enjoy carving some roadways in it. Beautiful - thank you John, another 'Something Different' Home Run!
Topic starter
11/12/2025 11:23 am
From the http://www...
Why in 1961 did carlo chiti and giotto bizzarrini and f1 world champion phil hill, have disputes with enzo ferrari's wife?
The dispute was caused by
the unwelcome and increasingly meddling presence of Enzo Ferrari's wife, Laura Dominica Garello, in company operations and her verbal abuse of employees. This led to the "Great Walkout of 1961," in which top personnel, including chief engineer Carlo Chiti and head of design Giotto Bizzarrini, essentially presented an ultimatum to Enzo, who responded by firing them.
Key Details of the Dispute
- Laura's Involvement: After the death of her and Enzo's son Dino in 1956, Laura became more erratic and started to take an active role in the company's finances and day-to-day management. Her behavior, which included frequent arguments and "verbal violence" towards staff, created a toxic work environment.
- The Ultimatum and Walkout: Sales manager Girolamo Gardini was a primary target of Laura's abuse and eventually told Enzo that either his wife left the company or he would. Enzo promptly fired Gardini, leading a group of eight key employees, including Chiti and Bizzarrini, to draft a letter to Enzo supporting Gardini and opposing Laura's continued interference.
- Enzo's Response: Enzo Ferrari viewed the letter as a "palace revolution" or an act of defiance he would not tolerate. He fired all eight employees, who were then handed a month's pay in cash and asked to leave immediately.
- Phil Hill's Role: Phil Hill, the 1961 F1 World Champion, did not have a direct dispute with Laura himself, but was deeply affected by the walkout. As a driver, he was not one of the eight managers who signed the letter, but his team was suddenly left without its top technical and management staff at a critical time. Hill later drove for Automobili Turismo e Sport (ATS), the competing company founded by the engineers who left Ferrari, but the team was unsuccessful.
John Bono
North Jersey
11/12/2025 11:40 am
I remember the Ferrari crisis after Dino’s death and the intrusive behaviour of Enzo’s wife. I was sorry to see that ATS was not a success. Enzo Ferrari was quite vindictive at the time and influenced bankers who restricted funds to ATS. Great potential from so many talented former Ferrari staff was wasted.
11/12/2025 11:51 am
11/12/2025 4:01 pm
Hmm, never seen this one. It is interesting, as is the history behind it. Thanks John.💯😎
11/12/2025 4:11 pm
extra pics!
Coming at me in that hat I'd get outa there too!
Laura Dominica Garello
11/12/2025 6:10 pm
Thanks Geoff. She looks harmless, but looks are deceiving. After Dino’s death, I think she was angry with the world.
Topic starter
11/12/2025 8:26 pm
What David said!Thanks Geoff. She looks harmless, but looks are deceiving. After Dino’s death, I think she was angry with the world.
John Bono
North Jersey