Giocattolo Motori Pty Ltd was founded in 1986 by sports car enthusiast Paul Halstead and former Formula One designer Barry Lock. The company’s name comes from the Italian word for “toy”. Although the company was short-lived, folding in 1989, its ambition left a lasting impression.
Built in Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the Giocattolo began life as an Alfa Romeo Sprint which was then heavily modified to accept a mid-mounted Alfa Romeo V6 engine. However, by the fourth prototype, the complexity and cost of importing and fitting the V6 led to its replacement with the new fuel injected Holden engine developed for Group A racing.
Chassis #10 is one of just 15 Giocattolo Group B cars ever built and remains an exceptionally rare example of a bold attempt to produce a world-class performance car. Retaining its original paint, interior and matching numbers engine, it stands today as a remarkable survivor and a fascinating piece of Australian motoring history.
