Editing ASA (automobile) (section)

== ASA 1000 GT ==

=== Design and development by Ferrari ===
The ASA 1000 GT originated in a late 1950s experimental project by Ferrari engineers to create a less expensive, compact alternative to existing Ferrari [[Grand tourer|GT cars]]. This project was designated "854"  by the factory (for 850cc, 4 cylinders), however it was commonly but unofficially named "Ferrarina," meaning "Little Ferrari."<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Paddock|first=Lowell|date=July 1983|title=La Ferrarina|journal=Automobile Quarterly|volume=21|issue=3|pages=284–291}}</ref>

The "Ferrarina" engine was derived from a late 1950s experimental [[Inline-four engine|inline-4]], designated Tipo 122. This was basically a four-cylinder, {{convert|850|cc|cuin|abbr=on}} slice of a [[Ferrari Colombo engine|Colombo V12]] from a Ferrari [[Ferrari 212 Inter|212]], with a bore and stroke of 65 x 64mm and supplied by two [[Weber carburetor|Weber]] 38DCO carburetors. The Tipo 122 engine produced {{Convert|68|hp|kW}} at 7000 rpm. The Tipo 122 was followed by the more powerful and slightly higher displacement Tipo 125 and 126 engines. The Tipo 126 engine displaced 973 cc and produced {{Convert|86|hp|kW}} at 7000 rpm. These engines were tested in the "Ferrarina" prototype, a 2-door [[notchback]] [[Coupé|coupe]] on a [[Fiat 1100]] or [[Fiat 1200|1200]] chassis with a [[Pininfarina]] body, which was used by [[Enzo Ferrari]] as his personal transportation for some time in the late 1950s.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> The final engine design was completed in 1960 as the Tipo 141, with 1032cc displacement, bore and stroke of 69&nbsp;mm x 69&nbsp;mm, a [[Overhead camshaft|single overhead cam]] and two Weber 38DCOA carburetors. According to Ferrari's records, this engine produced {{Convert|100|hp|kW}} at 7200 rpm with a 9:1 [[compression ratio]].<ref name=":1" />

Following Ferrari's development work on the 854/"Ferrarina" prototype, a new prototype called the "Mille" ("one thousand" in Italian) was shown at the 1961 Turin Auto Show on the [[Gruppo Bertone|Bertone]] stand. The Mille was an entirely new car based on the 854 project, with 2-door [[fastback]] [[coupé]] bodywork designed by [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at [[Gruppo Bertone|Bertone]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> Although this prototype had no Ferrari badging, its design echoed contemporary Ferrari GT models and the origin of the design within Ferrari was well publicized.<ref name=":4" /> Despite positive publicity and official support of the project from Ferrari, at the time of the Mille's debut there were no plans for Ferrari to mass-produce the design. Ferrari engineers had planned around annual production of 3000-5000 cars, which would sell for approximately US$2600 each. Not only was the Ferrari factory inadequate for this kind of volume production, Enzo Ferrari was unwilling to expand it in order to produce the Mille. Even before the Turin debut of the Mille, Ferrari had begun searching for another company that would buy the design and bring it to market.<ref name=":4" />

=== Formation of ASA and 1000 GT production ===
[[File:AsaGT1000Rear.jpg|thumb|right|ASA 1000 GT rear view]]
[[File:1963 ASA 1000 GTC De Nora+engineers.png|alt=ASA head of operations Niccolò de Nora (kneeling) inspecting an ASAS 1000 GTC alongside staff.|thumb|ASA head of operations Niccolò de Nora (kneeling) and Giotto Bizzarrini (right) inspecting an ASA 1000 GTC alongside ASA staff]]
By 1962, Enzo Ferrari decided to entrust production of the Ferrarina to close friend Oronzio de Nora and his son, Niccolò de Nora. The de Nora Electrochemical Group formed a new company for this purpose under the name ASA (''Autocostruzioni Società per Azioni''). ASA operations were headed by Niccolò de Nora. Also involved in ASA management were race drivers [[Lorenzo Bandini]], [[Gerino Gerini (racing driver)|Gerino Gerini]], and [[Giancarlo Baghetti]] and engineer [[Giotto Bizzarrini]]. The new firm had its headquarters on via San Faustino in Milan.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.asaregister.com/en/history.html|title=A bit of history|website=www.asaregister.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-09-22}}</ref>

The ASA 1000 GT production version, almost unchanged from the "Mille" prototype, was officially introduced at the 1962 Turin Auto Show. Despite this debut, due to production difficulties series production of the 1000 GT did not begin until 1964.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> The production 1000 GT used the 1032cc Tipo 141 I4 engine fitted with 40DCOE9 carburetors. It produced a stated {{Convert|91|hp|kW}} at 6800 rpm, a HP/Litre ratio better than the contemporary [[Ferrari 275 GTB]].<ref name=":1" /> Other sources report an output of {{Convert|95.6|hp|kW}} at 7000 rpm.<ref name=":4" />  Production cars used a [[Space frame#Cars|tubular spaceframe]] chassis designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, based on the [[Ferrari 250 GTO|250 GTO]]. It was equipped with [[Double wishbone suspension|double wishbone]] front suspension and a [[live axle]] at the rear.  Both front and rear of the car were equipped with [[coil spring]]s, tubular dampers, an [[anti-roll bar]] and [[Disc brake|disk brakes]].  The coupe was bodied in steel with aluminum hood and trunk lids and weighed {{Convert|1720|lbs|kg}} dry.<ref name=":1" /> [[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar magazine]] tested the 1000 GT shortly after its introduction and recorded a 0-60&nbsp;mph time of 14.0 seconds and a 1/4 mile run in 19.3 seconds.<ref name=":4" />

At least two fiberglass-bodied convertibles were also produced.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Nowak|first=Stanley|date=January 1979|title=ASA 1000 GT|journal=Cavallino|volume=3|pages=14–19}}</ref> One of the convertibles was displayed at the 1962 Turin auto show alongside the coupe. Other than the fiberglass body, the convertible was mechanically identical to the 1000 GT coupe.<ref name=":4" />

=== Commercial reception ===
The first production ASA 1000 GT couple was sold for $5920 in September 1964. [[Luigi Chinetti]] was the sole [[United States|US]] importer of ASA and a majority of the 1000 GT production was sent to his dealership.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> Despite reportedly excellent driving dynamics and reliability, 1000 GT sales were low. The brand had little name recognition and Chinetti's American customers in particular preferred the much more powerful Ferraris.<ref name=":1" /> Additionally, the 1000 GT was extremely expensive for the performance offered, with retail prices around US$6000 when a new [[Chevrolet Corvette]] equipped with a much more powerful 427 c.i. [[V8 engine]] cost US$4500. In order to sell their stock of ASAs, Chinetti's dealership steadily lowered prices during the late 1960s and early 1970s. A new 1000 GT sold for $1800 in 1973, far below cost.<ref name=":4" />

ASA production never achieved the anticipated volume of 3000-5000 cars per year. Even when series production was fully operational during 1964 and 1965, only one car was built per week.<ref name=":4" /> Exact production figures are unknown, but sources agree that less than 100 ASA cars of all types were constructed.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> One source estimates that 50-75 1000 GTs were produced in total between 1964 and 1967, with an additional handful of convertibles and competition cars.<ref name=":4" /> The ASA factory officially closed in 1967, but some cars were assembled from spare parts and sold as new up through the early 1970s.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />