1968 ISO Grifo Seven Litre

For sale by auction on Saturday 06 June 2015 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
Renzo Rivolta was a successful industrialist in the sector of
Refrigeration just outside Milan in Italy. During the post-war
period of the 1950's. he branched into motor-scooters and then
microcars. manufacturing the Isetta Bubblecar which was very
successfully licenced to other manufacturers; most notably BMW who
went on to build over 130. 00 examples. In 1962. Renzo Rivolta
moved into the luxury performance motorcar segment revealing. at
the Turin Motor Show. his sleek 2+2 'Rivolta IR300' competing
directly with established marques such as Maserati and Ferrari. In
1963. Giotto Bizzarrini (previously of Ferrari) provided mechanical
expertise for Iso to refine the drivetrain and platform for a new
Berlinetta Coupé with the bodywork penned by Gioretto Guigaro at
Bertone.

The new Iso prototype 'Grifo A3/L' was revealed at the Turin
show in 1963 to overwhelming approval. First production Iso Grifo's
followed and all used reassembled and blueprinted Chevrolet
Corvette 5. 4 litre engines until a seven-litre option was
introduced in 1968. With some detailing modifications. such as a
subtle bonnet scoop. necessary to accommodate the taller engine and
a black band across the rear roof pillar to denote the car as a
seven-Litre. a total of 322 Series I Grifo's were built before the
design received a facelift in 1972 after which time a further 78
(Series II) Grifo's were built. In total 90 Grifo's were specified
in seven-Litre form with only four being built in righthand
drive.

This Iso Grifo is the 1968 Earls Court Show car and is one of
only four righthand drive. super-rare seven-litre Grifo's built.
Whilst it was priced similarly to the Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari
Daytona in its day and with performance statistics to match. it has
only been in more recent years that the collectability of Iso's
finest cars has been comparable to the cars that the Iso's were
designed to compete with when new.

The knowledgeable owner. for the past 28 years. has been the
recognised UK authority on Iso & Bizzarrini cars. Consequently
the car is well published and its history very well documented.
Purchased in 1986 without its original 427 cu in. 390bhp unit. a
454 cu in replacement with 0. 030" overbore delivers a displacement
of 7. 5 Litres. Aesthetically the engine bay remains very much as it
would have been when the car was new. in both show condition and
physical layout. Respected V8 Specialists 'Knight Racing' completed
the engine rebuild and dynamometer tests record 490bhp at
5. 00rpm.

The engine is mated to a modern Tremec TKO600 five-speed gearbox
capable of handling this mighty power. This unit has a very close
match of ratios to the ZF gearbox that Iso originally optioned on
its models. Considerable care and expense has been invested into
the manufacture of a stainless steel exhaust system which. although
of bigger bore. is true to the subtle profile lines of the original
and sings with suitable throb and growl.

The vendor relates that starting is reliable and the car quickly
warms. Handling is tight and power delivery instant and somewhat
relentless - the horizon arriving often quicker than anticipated.
The poise of the car on the move is reported to be well balanced
and purposeful; the brakes firm and strong. It is clear that a
great deal of time and effort have been invested into this car to
ensure that the driving experience is reliable yet exhilarating.
Pampered. not raced. this Grifo is a true credit to its fastidious
owner. The black leather interior remains entirely original and
beautifully patinated. The red coachwork is virtually flawless and
has a deep. rich lustre. Wheels are Campagnolo Elektron with
correct magnesium alloy centre spinners.

High profile awards for the car include a First in Class trophy
for 'Best of Both Worlds' in the Cartier Style et Luxe at the
Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2004.

A rare opportunity to acquire one of the most powerful. rarest
and most elegant-looking sporting GT's of the period.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?