Saturday, September 24, 2011

ATS 2500 GT / GTS (1963-65)

Made by Italian company ATS (Automobili Turismo e Sport) in Bologna, designed by former Bertone designer Franco Scaglione. Powered by a V8 engine, it was the first Italian and one of the first GT or sports car in the world to have a mid-engine layout.

The group behind the ATS project consisted mainly of Ferrari defectors, including key engineers Giotto Bizzarrini and Carlo Chiti, where family troubles in 1961 had created an uncomfortable working atmosphere for the personnel.

Powered by a 2,468 cc V8 that produced 210 hp at 7,500 rpm / min. Top speed 240 km/h. Only 12 units, in various versions, were built before the factory closed down.(wikipedia, ruotevecchiedb.altervista.org & ultimatecarpage.com)















 
























ATS 2500 GTS


The competition oriented 2500 GTS (for Superleggera) was fitted with an aluminium body and the 3,000 cc version of the V8 engine that produced 295 hp.













(Photos from ultimatecarpage.com, ruotevecchiedb.altervista.org)