1973 ISO Fidia

For sale by auction on Saturday 06 June 2015 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
Manufacturers of the Isetta bubble car. Iso joined the ranks of
supercar constructors in 1962 with the launch of the Giotto
Bizzarrini-designed Rivolta coupé at the Turin Motor Show. The
styling was carried out at Carrozzeria Bertone and penned by
Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Fidia. longer in the wheelbase by
approximately 150mm. was a more practical proposition than the
two-door Rivolta on which it was based. Originally conceived as the
S4 and introduced in 1967. the Fidia's four-door body was airy. br/>graceful. purposeful and sleek. continuing Iso's leadership in
advancing automobile design. Chevrolet engines of 5. 4 or 5. 7 litres
were fitted initially. Towards the end of production. 35 Fidias
were finally built with the 5. 8-litre Ford V8 engine. Iso's proven
underpinnings included independent front suspension. deDion rear
axle and four wheel. power-assisted. disc brakes (inboard at the
rear). It is believed that in all 16 RHD Fidia's (the first being
sold to John Lennon in 1967) were produced. of which two were S4's
and seven were Ford powered; only a few righthand drive cars
are thought to still exist.

We are delighted to offer this 1973 example; one of the few
righthand drive Fidias still in existence and fitted with the more
unusual Ford V8 power plant. The original build sheet confirms that
the Fidia was built on 20th July 1973 and included the
addition of electronic ignition. automatic transmission. electric
sunroof. power steering. a large sump pan. oil cooler. seat belts
and Michelin tyres. The car was subsequently imported into the UK
by Wood and Krailing Limited. a Lancia dealership based at that
time in Theydon Boyle. Essex and was first registered on
20th December 1973. Four previous owners are recorded
who include the importing dealership and Chris Lackner. the ISO
& Bizzarrini Owners Club UK President who compiled a
chronological summary of the car's account contained within the
history file.

Presented in its original colour of dark blue with beige leather
interior. this Iso Fidia is in excellent condition with a low
recorded mileage of only approximately 51. 00 miles upon its 200mph
odometer. Excellent panel gaps provide a reassuring sign that the
integral strength of this Fidia remains strong; in fact. a look on
the undersides confirms that there is nothing untoward going on.
The interior. we are informed. is original and also in very fine
order; in fact such is the quality that it exudes. that it
certainly entices both the driver and passengers into its luxury
leather sporting seats. The driver is kept well informed with an
array of instruments and directional control is provided via the
Italian Nardi steering wheel. Entertainment for the driver and
passengers. apart from the wonderful music from the 5. 8 litre V8. br/>is supplied by a high quality McIntosh sound system.

Mechanically. some modifications and upgrades have been
incorporated which ensure that this Iso Fidia remains the fine and
reliable Grand Tourer you will have imagined; a fact confirmed by
the vendor who reassures us that the car has completed. and is
capable of. sustained comfortable high speed European Touring
trips. Alloy cylinder heads have been added and the gearbox
upgraded to the later Ford 'Automatic Over Drive' (AOD) unit giving
the driver better reliability and usability over the earlier
original unit. To keep the chassis in shape and in control on the
road. the suspension has been overhauled with new bushes and a
vented disc brake conversion has been added; a recent road test
confirms the car's reassuring ability. The Iso is offered with a
current UK V5 registration document and MoT test certificate valid
until February 2016.

It is recommended that this Fidia is viewed in the flesh as it
has a certain charm that may not be appreciated in photographs
alone and being a rare and exotic Italian coachbuilt Super Car. it
offers serious high speed and stylish touring for four. With a keen
estimate. the Fidia represents fabulous value in view of today's
rising market and surely an opportunity to acquire something rather
different.

Interested parties should note that the private
registration pictured is to be retained by the vendor and an age
related plate will accompany the car to the sale.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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