ASA 1000GT By Martin Wollny

Money was not spared on the dashboard

History
Even though the Ferrari sold the rights for this fine car to ASA, it did help in setting up the production facilities.  The car received very favourable reviews from motoring journalists and was described as being a small Ferrari.  It was meant to be one of the best small GT cars in the world.  Unfortunately, ASA 1000 GT never brought profits to its owners and only got homologated for GT class of racing after two years, when the number of units produced reached 100.  Even though it entered a few races and was quite successful, the car didn't make it to the top.  The price was too high and it wasn't a real Ferrari after all!  The production finally ceased in 1967.

Technical Data
The engine was in-line 4, 1,032 cc with compression ration of 9.1:1 and developing healthy 97 bhp at 7,100 rpm.  The high-revving engine was fed through twin Weber 40 DCOE carbs.  The gearbox was a four-speed all synchromesh.  The chassis was designed as a tubular frame and was similar to the Ferrari's unit.  Front suspension was transverse wishbones and coil springs.  Rear suspension featured live axle with radius arms and coil springs.  The brakes were powerful disks all round with vacuum servo.  The wheels were knock-off pierced discs.  The car was only produced in left-hand drive.

Driving
The ASA 1000 GT has excellent handling, and a potent engine.  The large disks are very powerful and the car deserves to be called a scaled down Ferrari in every respect .

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