1966 ASA 411 Berlinetta

An ASA is a rare appearance, as it was produced in low numbers. If you're lucky, you may run into a rare 1000 GT, but the chance that you will find the ultra rare 411 Berlinetta is next to impossible.

ASA (Autoconstruzioni Societa per Azioni) was a relatively unknown Milanese manufacturer, who, despite its short existence from 1962 to 1967, makes up a special piece of the Italian automotive history. Enzo Ferrari laid the foundation. At the end of the 1950s, he set out to place a smaller car on the market and saw to the development of the "Ferrarina" - the "Small Ferrari". Big names were involved in the development of the car. The bodywork was designed by Giugiaro at Bertone, its tubular frame was created by Bizzarini, and the mechanical part including the engine came from Ferrari itself. After completion of the project, Enzo Ferrari, afraid of reputation damage, stopped short of placing the mini Ferrari on the market under his name. Orionzo de Nora, an Italian industrial, took over the project from Ferrari and founded ASA in 1962. At the 1962 Turin Motor Show, ASA made its world debut with the ASA 1000 GT. The 1000 GT delivered a brilliant performance with the 1032 cc engine supplying 91 hp and a top speed of 190 km/h. In the early 1960s, only 2 litre sport engines could deliver such results. However, the 1000 GT had one huge disadvantage: its extravagant cost. Car sales did not really take off, and in total just over 100 examples were delivered. At the end of 1965, ASA, ailing by then, tried to revive the brand with the introduction of the 411 Berlinetta, a further development of the 1000 GT. The engine size of the 411 was increased to 1092 cc and the car was now bodied in aluminium. It is said that only four examples were built of the 411 Berlinetta, three of which were used for competition purposes and equipped with synthetic glazing for weight savings. The only 411 Berlinetta which was not used for races, but delivered for regular driving and fitted with glass windows, is the car that we are proud to have on offer now. Chassis number 01264 was discovered at a Spanish Ferrari collector at the end of the 1990s. At first, the collector was unwilling to part with his extremely rare baby Ferrari, but after a lot of negotiations the car eventually made it to Netherlands. 01264 was mechanically perfect and, with the exception of its colour - white body, orange striping - its original state had been entirely preserved. The car was repainted fifteen years ago, restoring the olive green colour from the time it was first delivered.