1969 ISO Fidia S4

The only four-door model produced by Iso Automoveicoli SpA was the Giorgetto Giugiaro-penned Fidia, with 192 examples manufactured between 1967 and 1975. Most had left-hand-drive with just 16 being in right-hand-drive configuration. The sales material carried the slogan 'le quattro poltrone piu veloce del mondo' - 'the four fastest seats in the world'.

Iso took an unusual path to become a manufacturer of supercar and gran turismos, from producing electric heaters and chillers, motorcycles, scooters, and microcars.

The Iso Fidia carried a steep purchase price, making it one of the most expensive vehicles of its era. The high price was due to the high development cost and a long list of accouterments including polished wood and hand-stitched leather. The Fidia was approximately 150mm longer in wheelbase than the Giotto Bizzarrini-designed Rivolta coupe that was introduced in 1962 at the Turin Motor Show. Originally conceived as the S4 and introduced in 1967, the Fidia's four-door body was purposeful, sleek, and graceful. Chevrolet engines of 5.4 or 5.7 litres were fitted initially, with 35 later-built models employing a 5.8-liter Ford V8 engine. The switch to Ford power was due to General Motors requiring payment in advance of shipment in 1973. The Ford 5.8 liter V8 was mated to a ZF five-speed manual gearbox or with a Ford 'Cruise-O-Matic' automatic gearbox. The underpinnings included an independent front suspension, deDion rear axle and four-wheel, power-assisted disc brakes (inboard at the rear).

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2021