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CizetaCizeta Automobili srl of Modena, Italy was a car manufacturer set up in the late 1980s by Claudio Zampolli (an Italian Ferrari dealer) and the record producer Giorgio Moroder.
The name "Cizeta" comes from the Italian pronunciation of co-founder Claudio Zampolli's initials (C.Z.). Moroder became involved into the project when he took his Lamborghini Countach for a service at Zampolli's garage. Their only product, the Cizeta-Moroder V16T, featured a technically advanced sixteen cylinder engine made up of two coupled V8s and styling by Marcello Gandini that was strikingly similar to the later Lamborghini Diablo's. The prototype was the only car to carry the "Cizeta-Moroder" badge, as Giorgio Moroder pulled out of the Cizeta project in 1990. The prototype remains with Giorgio Moroder to this day.
No production Cizeta was ever badged "Cizeta-Moroder" but merely "Cizeta V16T". Only 8 cars were built before the shutdown of the firm in 1994. Subsequently, 2 more cars were completed (one more coupe, and one spyder) in 1999 and 2003.
The brand faded into virtual obscurity until its inclusion in the video game Gran Turismo 4.
Mr. Zampolli moved to the USA after the company went bankrupt in Italy and has set up a new company in California, called Cizeta Automobili USA. He currently services exotic cars as well as continues to build (on demand) the Cizeta V16T.
In the supercar boom of the late 1980's, Claudio Zampolli, an Italian Ferrari dealer living in Los Angeles, decided there was room for anoother player. With financial backing from Giorgio Moroder (of music fame) Cizeta Automobili srl was formed at Modena. Only a few of their one and only car, the Cizeta-Moroder V16T, were produced before the market collapsed and the company followed suit.
In the supercar boom of the late 1980's, Claudio Zampolli, an Italian Ferrari dealer living in Los Angeles, decided there was room for another player. With financial backing from Giorgio Moroder (of music fame) Cizeta Automobili srl was formed at Modena. Only a few of their one and only car, the Cizeta-Moroder V16T, were produced before the market collapsed and the company followed suit.
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