conceptcarz.com

1964 Bizzarrini Iso Grifo A3/C

In 1962, the Milan car manufacturer ISO introduced its second model, the Grifo. The first was the Rivolta. Giorgio Giugiaro of Bertone designed the body and Giotto Bizzarrini, creator of the Ferrari GTO, engineered it. The Grifo was powered by a Chevrolet 5.3 liter V8 and sat atop a shortened Rivolta platform. The engine was placed in the front and drove the rear transaxle. The Borg-Warner T4 4-speed manual gearbox lacked overdrive, a problem that would cause it problems in future endurance racing. At speeds, the driver had to back off the accelerator pedal to help preserve the engine's life. With over 400 horsepower from the GM small-block and weighing less than 2200 pounds, the vehicle was able to achieve 190 miles per hour.

The Grifo was sportier than its predecessor and was available in two versions, luxury, and sport. The luxurious Grifo was dubbed the A3/L while the sportier version received the title A3/C. Iso produced the Grifo A3/L, while Bizzarrini developed the A3/C.

In 1964 it was entered in the 12 Hours of Sebring as well as the grueling and fiercely competitive 24 Hours of Le Man's race. During its racing career, it would capture a fourth overall but first-in-class victory at Le Mans.

During the production lifespan of the Grifo, around 22 versions of the A3/C were constructed. Due to disagreements, Bizzarrini and Rivolta parted ways in 1965. A deal was struck where Bizzarrini could still produce the Grifo A3/C cars but was unable to use the name. The new name was the Bizzarrini 5300 GT and American GT.

In 1968, a 6998 cc V8 engine became available and was later modified to 7443 cc.


by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2007
Bizzarrini's resume included working for the legendary Ferrari and Lamborghini marques, and when he began producing cars bearing his own name, these two marques became his top competitors.

The first car to bear his name was the 5300, created in collaboration with Giugiaro at Bertone and Renzo Rivolta, who was working on creating the Iso Rivolta 300 at the time. The Rivolta 300 had a Corvette V8 powerplant and a welded steel monocoque chassis. The suspension was independent with double wishbones in the front and a DeDion rear axle. The Chevrolet V8 engine was a foreign piece of technology in an Italian sportscar, but it offered numerous benefits such as plenty of power (around 365 bhp), proven reliability, and low cost of production. The engine was placed as far back in the engine bay as possible, resulting in limited interior room, but maximum performance. Another drawback to being so close to the engine was the noise and the heat produced by the engine. But, as in many other sports cars, interior space played 'second fiddle' to performance.

The result was spectacular, with performance and reliability coupled together in a small and stylish package. It was aerodynamic, had an excellent suspension, and the powerplant kept it competitive.

Bizzarrini wanted to take the cars racing but Iso, at first, disagreed. By 1963, Bizzarrini had convinced Rivolta to finance a racing program resulting in the development of a sportier version of the Iso Rivolta. The result was the Iso Grifo which laid the groundwork for the soon-to-come 5300GT. Homologation requirements meant the Iso Grifo was entered in the prototype category, pitting the car against some very fierce competition such as the dominant Ford GT40 with its seven-liter engine, and Shelby's Cobra. The team scored a 14th-place finish at LeMans and a 19th at the Nurburgring 1000 km in 1964. 1965 began on a sour note, as a car was destroyed at Sebring and another at Daytona. The team switched to older cars, leaving them at even more of a disadvantage. At LeMans, the true potential of the cars shined as they scored a class victory. This victory was made possible by the Ford GT40's retiring from the race prematurely.

At the 1963 Torino Motor Show, the competition Grifo A3/C and Grio A3/L 2+2 were displayed. These cars shared similarities but very different bodies styled by Giugiaro at Bertone. The cars were given positive reviews at the show resulting in both being put into production. The chassis was built by Bizzarrini, while Iso provided the engine and various other mechanical components. The 2+2 A3/L models were assembled by Bertone and Drogo manufactured the competition bodies.

Only twenty-five examples of the Grifos were produced before Renzo Rivolta's death. The relationship between Bizzarrini and Iso soon fell apart, ending with Bizzarrini suing Iso to get the necessary parts to finish 50 cars. The first set of cars carried the Iso badge, while the cars that came after chassis number 0024 were dubbed the Bizzarrini 5300 GTs. As such, the Iso Grifo AC3/C and the Bizzarrini 5300 GT were very similar in many respects. Their designs were slightly different, as Carrozzeria BBM was tasked with creating the bodies for the Bizzarrinis, introducing small subtleties to the door handles, lights, and turn signals.


by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2007

1964 Bizzarrini Iso Grifo A3/C Vehicle Profiles

1964 Bizzarrini Iso Grifo A3/C vehicle information
Berlinetta

Chassis #: B0207
1964 Bizzarrini Iso Grifo A3/C vehicle information
Coupe

Coachwork: Drogo
Chassis #: BO213

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Related Automotive News

From Lucybelle to DHL: Historic Porsche Competition Cars Race to Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

From Lucybelle to DHL: Historic Porsche Competition Cars Race to Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

The very best of Porsche excellence will come to Pebble Beach with a 1959 Porsche 718 RSK, a 1969 Porsche 90802, a 2007 Porsche RS Spyder Evo, and more. Gooding %26 Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance®,...
First Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival Hits the Road

First Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival Hits the Road

The reborn Bizzarrini brand, founded by arguably the most talented automotive engineer and designer the world has ever seen, has achieved its next significant milestone. The first Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival prototype – the authentic recreation...
The Best Of Lamborghini At London Concours 2020

The Best Of Lamborghini At London Concours 2020

The London Concours has announced its Great Marques Lamborghini display, celebrating the very best from SantAgata Line-up includes icons early pioneers like the 400GT and iconic Miura, through to the Diablo SV, Murcielago and Aventador SVJ Les...
BMW ALPINA B6 xDRIVE GRAN COUPE TO MAKE NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

BMW ALPINA B6 xDRIVE GRAN COUPE TO MAKE NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

BMW celebrates 40th anniversary of BMW of North America as well as the companys first major motorsports victory in the US at the 12 Hours of Sebring with the1975 BMW 3.0 CSL. The 50th anniversary of ALPINA will be celebrated by showcasing a 1970 BMW...
One of the Three Final Cars Built by Famed Italian Engineer Giotto Bizzarrini To Be Offered at Russo and Steele's Highly Anticipated Monterey Auction

One of the Three Final Cars Built by Famed Italian Engineer Giotto Bizzarrini To Be Offered at Russo and Steele's Highly Anticipated Monterey Auction

Monterey, California – As the engineer responsible for the design and development of some of the most successful and innovative racing and GT cars ever conceived, Giotto Bizzarrini remains one of the most revered names in motorsport history. Hailing...

Bizzarrini Model