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Iso Grifo 327 c.i. V8 1966

Allmän beskrivning : 1966 Iso Grifo A3/C Continuation
s/n 340086
White with Red Interior

The Grifo is perhaps one of the most stunning, attractive, and desirable takes on what would eventually become a proven formula: a European chassis and body coupled with the robust and inexpensive performance provided by an American V8. When designing his beautiful and impressively fast Iso Grifo, Renzo Rivolta relied upon one of Italy’s greatest automotive engineers, Giotto Bizzarrini, who designed the Ferrari 250 GTO and Testa Rossa. Mr. Bizzarrini designed the Iso Grifo with the necessary elements for success: the stout, reliable and easily tuned Chevrolet small-block V-8 engine and 4-speed gearbox from the Corvette, a welded-sheet platform frame, sophisticated suspension, and a svelte and aerodynamic body. Although it was double the price of a Corvette, it was significantly lighter and featured technical innovations which exceeded even the most exotic cars of the era. The resulting car was a true race car for the road that looked the part, with the roofline standing a mere 43" above the asphalt.

The Grifo’s chassis and mechanical integration were also major contributors to the overall appeal of the car. Developed in large part by Giotto Bizzarrini, in tandem with the Grifo’s competition version (which would eventually become the Bizzarrini 5300), the chassis was sophisticated with coil springs all round, de Dion rear end, tubular chassis, and inboard rear disc brakes. The engines were supplied by Chevrolet but were disassembled and blue printed before installation in the Grifo.

Giotto Bizzarrini built his own version of the Grifo for racing, winning the big-bore GT class at Le Mans in 1964 and 1965. Although Bizzarrini GTs were developed as race cars, the two marques, Iso and Bizzarrini, coexisted. Iso built road Grifos while Bizzarrini built racing Grifos. Eventually their relationship soured but Bizzarrini had cleverly registered the Grifo name, reportedly at the suggestion of Nuccio Bertone, and traded its use to Iso for a supply of parts sufficient to build about 100 Bizzarrini 5300GT Stradas. Fitted with more rakish and exotic bodywork, the Bizzarrini 5300GT is rare, exotic, and aerodynamic. Early competition cars were designated Grifo A3/C prior to being separately identified as Bizzarrini 5300s.

Historians and enthusiasts of the Grifo and Bizzarrini 5300 are well aware that these cars were built in fits and starts over the years as parts became available to various enterprising individuals, and therefore there are often multiple claims to serial numbers and confusing trails of construction and ownership history. Faced with spending seven figures on a car of dubious history, the owner of this car ultimately selected a different path. He was made aware by Winston Goodfellow, one of the pre-eminent gurus of these cars, of a “continuation car” built in Italy by Roberto Negri, a former employee of Iso when these cars were originally built, and now the owner of il bottegone, a shop that maintains and restores these cars.

This car was one of five such cars built by Negri, a project on which he embarked about eight years ago. Using genuine Iso chassis and the original scheda (essentially blueprints), the cars are exceptionally accurate, down to the centimeter, and were built by the same individuals who built them when they were new. Indeed, Piero Rivolta gave his approval to officially name the cars Iso Rivolta A3/C and they are built using period correct parts. This particular car was built using the chassis, motor, and other components of an original Iso Rivolta needing restoration that was purchased from Gullwing Motorcars and shipped to Italy for its transformation. The build, completed in 2010, was executed with superlative attention to detail and accuracy and the result speaks for itself. It is a truly stunning and exciting car that accurately captures the aesthetic and driving experience of an original car, available for a fraction of the cost.

After completion and import to the US, this Iso was consigned in 2015 to Fantasy Junction and sold to Iso Rivolta and Grifo owner Chuck Wray. The car was subsequently sold to another performance car collector until finding current ownership in 2020. In 2021, the current owner commissioned over $25k of service work was performed by Grand Touring Enterprises, Frederick, MD. Highlights of these efforts included installing new wheel bearings, a new water pump and thermostat, new coolant hoses, brake lines (accumulator cleaned and serviced), calipers rebuilt with new O-rings, pads, and piston boots, new brake hoses, a new transmission mount, new drag link, new bump stop, new spark plug wires, voltage regulator adjustment, carburetor removed, cleaned, and reinstalled, differential fluid service, transmission service, and all fluids flushed and replenished.

Today this Iso presents as a beautiful and authentic example indistinguishable from the very few built in period. The quality of the workmanship is first rate throughout with competition details beautifully rendered from the external rivets to the large cooling vents and quick release fuel filler that operates through the rear window. Among the many distinctive features on this car, a set of A3C knock offs have been installed to enhance the cast alloy Campagnolo wheels. The paint is excellent, as are the various polished and plated brightwork pieces, glass, Carello headlights, emblems, and trim. The overall presentation reveals a show-ready, high caliber example done to the highest standards.

The interior is equally impressive and showcases the craftsmanship consistent to the exterior. The quality of the trimming and finishing is superb, from the vivid red leather to the high-quality wool carpets and red binding. The unusual instrument layout which places the primary instruments to the driver’s right has been faithfully recreated including a full suite of period correct Iso branded instrumentation. The padded central tunnel is beautifully trimmed matching the pleated cabin interior details, giving a single-minded competition-oriented purpose to the interior, which is underscored by the fixed rake bucket seats. The interior is fully trimmed, with carpet, leather, and full headliner, all of which are in superb condition. Completing the interior, a traditional wood rim steering wheel is appropriately lightly patinated from fortunate drivers and their engaging grip.

The engine compartment presents like new and is technically fascinating. The engine is mounted well back in the chassis, with the back of the motor located underneath the cowl. There is a sizable gap between the front of the motor and the front crossmember and this space is thoughtfully filled with various mechanical components including the brake boosters (to keep the hood low) and battery. This layout and the car’s stunning proportions underscore that this may very well be the ultimate iteration and evolution of front-engine sports cars before the transition to a mid-engine layout was adopted by the foremost producers of exotic cars. The engine compartment is beautifully finished, consistent with the standards of construction throughout and the care offered by dedicated owners since completion fourteen years ago. The trunk is fully trimmed and surprisingly large, with ample space for overnight bags, a full-sized spare, and an integrated tray to house the jack.

The driving experience is very exciting. The car is very low and the view from the driver’s seat is extremely evocative thanks to the unusual gauge layout, steeply raked windscreen, massive center tunnel, and beautiful fender contours. The engine starts easily and has a rugged raw character to the exhaust note but is surprisingly subdued in the interior. It is well-tuned and tractable, with civilized character for road use and plenty of power on tap for spirited driving. The clutch is aggressive and very communicative, but still quite manageable for street use. The gearbox is a pleasure to use with well-defined gates and good synchromesh. The brakes are effective, and the low, wide dimensions of the car give it sure-footed handling. All in all, this is an exciting car that makes any drive feel like an occasion and a welcome participant for events and touring.

This impressive Iso is accompanied by copies of the Certificate of Authenticity from Pier Attilio Rivolta, dyno test results from the original build, a copy of the Iso build sheet associated with the chassis, and service documentation under prior and current ownership.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a beautifully turned out and very thrilling car. The driving experience and aesthetics of the car are faithful to the original and the quality of the build is truly remarkable. Constructed on a genuine Iso chassis and titled as a 1966 Iso, this dynamic and exciting car offers wonderful street driving with the purity, directness, and excitement of a defined premium sports car of this era.

1966 Iso Grifo 327 c.i. V8 is listed till salu on ClassicDigest in California by Fantasy Junction for $450000.

 

Fakta i bilen

Karosstyp : Personbil Märke : Iso Modell : Grifo Modellversion : 327 c.i. V8 Motorvolym : 0.0 Årsmodell : 1966 Läge : Emeryville Fordon Registrering : Normal

450000 $

Information om säljaren

Fantasy Junction

Fantasy Junction
+1 510 653 7555

ClassicDigest Market Radar on Iso Grifo

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om Iso
Historien om Iso börjar med grundandet av Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. i Italien i början av 1950-talet av Renzo Rivolta, en entreprenör med en vision att skapa en unik blandning av italiensk stil och amerikansk kraft inom bilvärlden.

År 1953 introducerade Iso Rivolta sitt första bil, Isetta. Denna egenartade mikrobil väckte uppmärksamhet på grund av sin lilla storlek och ovanliga framdörr. Den blev en föregångare till "Bubble Car"-trenden i Europa och licensierades till andra tillverkare, inklusive BMW, som producerade sin egen version av Isetta.

Det var dock i början av 1960-talet som Iso verkligen gjorde sin stämpel på bilvärlden med introduktionen av Iso Rivolta GT 1962. Denna lyxiga Grand Touring (GT)-bil hade en elegant och tidlös design skapad av den berömde designern Giorgetto Giugiaro. Det mest utmärkande draget hos Rivolta GT var dess drivkälla, en 327 kubiktums Chevrolet V8-motor. Detta beslut att använda amerikanska V8-motorer skiljde Iso från många av dess italienska konkurrenter, eftersom det erbjöd en unik kombination av italienskt hantverk och amerikansk styrka.

Iso Rivolta GT blev uppskattad för sin komfort, prestanda och stil. Den lockade bilentusiaster och samlare som beundrade dess unika tillvägagångssätt att skapa en GT-bil. Framgången med Rivolta GT lade grunden för fortsatta framsteg.

År 1965 introducerade Iso Iso Grifo, ytterligare en högpresterande GT-bil. Grifo formgavs av Bertone och hade, precis som sin föregångare, amerikanska V8-motorer, ofta hämtade från Ford och Chevrolet. Grifo hyllades inte bara för sina kraftfulla motorer utan också för sin fängslande design som kunde mäta sig med några av Italiens mest berömda sportbilstillverkare.

Iso fortsatte att utöka sin modellserie och introducerade bilar som Iso Lele, en mer förfinad och lyxig GT-bil, och Iso Fidia, en fyradörrars sedan. Dessa modeller fortsatte traditionen att blanda italiensk elegans med amerikansk motoreffekt.

En av de mest ikoniska skapelserna från Iso var Iso Grifo 7 Litri, som hade en massiv 7-liters V8-motor. Grifo 7 Litri var inkarnationen av en lyxig men otroligt kraftfull Grand Tourer, och dess slående design fångade Iso-filosofins essens.

Trots de positiva recensionerna och en hängiven fanbas hade Iso ekonomiska problem, och oljekrisen år 1973 påverkade företagets verksamhet betydligt. År 1974 stoppade Iso produktionen, vilket markerade slutet på en era för företaget.

I dag är klassiska Iso-bilar eftertraktade av samlare för sin unika kombination av italiensk stil och amerikansk styrka. De förblir ett vittnesmål om Renzo Rivoltas vision att skapa stilfulla GT-bilar med amerikansk kraft. Iso-märket kan ha försvunnit i historien, men dess arv lever vidare i hjärtat hos bilentusiaster som uppskattar märkets distinkta karaktär och charm.