ATS, or Automobili Turismo Sport,
was founded in 1962 to produce both road cars and to compete in formula
one. Several personnel were ex-Ferrari, including the famous Carlo Chiti.
The first road car, the 2500GT, came out in 1963 whilst in Formula one
they took over the Serenissima team which was in financial trouble.
Unfortunately little better awaited ATS, and production
of the 2500GT ceased the following year (1964). That year also saw an entry
in the Targa Florio. 1968 saw an open, mid-engined race-car emerge, using
a tuned Ford 1000 engine and an aluminium body constructed by Fantuzzi.
The formula one program continued until 1969.
2500 GT
The
first and last ATS production road car, the 2500GT was an alloy bodied,
two seat, mid-engined sportscar. Powered by a twin-cam V8 displacing 2467cc
and producing 220bhp, it was equipped with a five speed gearbox and disc
brakes all round. The tubular steel spaceframe chassis used double wishbones
and coil springs on all four corners and was clothed by a body from Allemano.
n aluminium bodied version with an extra 40bhp,
known as the GTS, was also offered.
Later, Volpi (one of the backers of the failed Serenissima
team) reappeared and provided the backing to produce some 2500GT cars as
Serenissima's, fitted with a quad-cam V8, but success was never attained.
Supposedly a total of around 12 cars were built.
Technical Details
| Engine | 2467cc (76x68mmmm) 90º V8 with 220bhp @ 7,500rpm
with 260bhp @ 7,700rpm in the GTS |
| Suspension | front : independent with double wishbones, coil springs and telescopic dampers
rear : independent with double wishbones, coil springs and telescopic dampers wheelbase : 2500mm track (front/rear) : 1390mm/1360mm tyres (front & rear) : 185 - 15 |
| Brakes | discs all round
dual hydraulic circuit handbrake on rear via cable |
| Steering | Rack and pinion |
| Transmission | 5 speed manual
limited-slip differential in GTS |
| Empty weight | 810kg (GTS : 750kg) |
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Links
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