Autocostruzioni Societa per Azioni, or ASA, was formed to market the smaller-displacement engines developed by Ferrari, initially deployed in a 1961 Turin Auto Show prototype nicknamed the “Ferrarina.” Because Enzo remained a firm believer in 12 cylinders, it seemed destined to remain experimental—until racing drivers Gerino Gerini, Lorenzo Bandini, and Giancarlo Baghetti established ASA to use the engines.

They recruited Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, along with father-and-son duo Oronzio and Niccolo de Nora, for the effort.

Debuting at the 1962 Turin show, the resulting ASA 1000 GT coupe sported beautiful bodywork penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro and executed by Bertone on a Bizzarini-designed tubular frame; the convertible Spider followed.

Its 1,032-cubic-centimeter twin-cam four-cylinder engine, fitted with twin Weber side-draft carburetors and mated to a four-speed manual transmission, produced 90 horsepower.

Four-wheel disc brakes of the type used on the Ferrari 250 GTE prov...