CLASSICS FOR SALE: 1970 ISO GRIFO 7.0Litre

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

1970 ISO GRIFO 7.0Litre

1970 ISO GRIFO 7.0Litre

Estimate: €270,000 - €300,000

Registration Number: EU Registered

Chassis Number: 7L020316

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 130,000 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 Grifos 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.

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.

This lovely example has been with its current owner for several years. It was restored from 2002 to 2004, with the motor rebuilt by renowned engine builder Total Performance in Koblenz. The interior was re-trimmed at the same time in tan leather, and still presents very well.

Finished in green metallic with a lovely tan interior, this true GT car offers rocket ship performance with the usability and practicality that only a well-tuned American V8 can provide.

Dieses schöne Stück war für viele Jahre im Besitz seines aktuellen Eigentümers. Es wurde von 2002 bis 2004 restauriert, mit Motoraufbau durch die bekannten Motorenbauer “Total Performance” aus Koblenz. Das Interieur wurde zur gleichen Zeit in Gerbleder aufgearbeitet, und präsentiert noch sehr gut.

Beendet im Metallic Grün, bietet dieser GT eine tolle Performance und Nutzwert, den nur ein amerikanischer V8 bieten kann.

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact our sales department.