conceptcarz.com

1968 ISO Grifo

Renzo Rivolta of Italy was a successful industrialist in the Refrigeration sector, and during the post-war period of the 1950s, he ventured into motor-scooter production and then microcars. Amongst these were the Furetto, the Isoscooter, and the Isocarro. The Isetta Bubblecar was very successfully licensed to other manufacturers, most notably BMW who would build over 130,000 examples. Renzo Rivolta's next endeavor was the luxury performance motorcar segment, introducing the 2+2 Rivolta IR300 in 1962 at the Turin Motor Show. Giotto Bizzarrini was brought on board for his engineering prowess. Having served as Ferrari's Chief Engineer, Bizzarrini was part of the development of the renowned 250 GTO. He would later work with Lamborghini developing the V-12 of the Miura, an engine that would remain in production in some form for over four decades. Bizzarrini was hired by Iso in 1963 to provide mechanical expertise and to refine the platform and drivetrain for a new Berlinetta Coupe wearing styling courtesy of Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone. Giugiaro's prior experience included working for design houses Ghia and Bertone, the latter of which would be contracted to build the car's coachwork.

In 1963, the 'Grifo A3/L' prototype was introduced with overwhelming approval at the Turin Show. The production Iso Grifo's that followed were powered by Chevrolet Corvette 5.4 liter engines, replaced in 1968 by a seven-liter unit. Detail modifications included a subtle bonnet scoop to accommodate the taller engine and a black band across the rear roof pillar to denote the car as a seven-liter variant. A total of 322 examples of the Series I Grifos were constructed prior to the design being facelifted in 1972, after which time a further 78 (Series II) Grifos were built. In total, 90 Grifo's were specified in seven-Litre form with the majority using left-hand-drive configuration (four had right-hand drive).

The Grifo used a Borg-Warner 'top loader' four-speed transmission that was also used in the Corvette, although a five-speed ZF gearbox was offered late in the series. The cars featured a De Dion rear axle with inboard brakes, a design that reduced the unsprung weight compared to a traditional live axle and is considered an excellent alternative to an independent rear suspension. The 327 cubic-inch V8 engine delivered 350 horsepower, and the 427 cubic-inch V8 produced 390 horsepower.

Interior features included leather bucket seats, a leather-wrapped center console, a Nardi-Personal three-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel with Grifo center cap, a wood-grain dashboard with Veglia Borletti instrumentation, a Kienzle clock, and a Becker Europa II AM/FM radio. Amenities include air conditioning, power windows, and power brakes. A full-size spare can be found in the trunk.

The styling was both elegant and aggressive, with an overall height of 47 inches, quad headlights, and engine cooling grids on the wings. In short, the Rivolta story blended American reliability with Italian design and international elegance.


by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2021

Related Reading : ISO Grifo History

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, the 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....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : ISO Grifo History

Founder and head of Iso S.p.A. of Bresso, Renzo Rivolta, began his business Isothermos in refrigerators before moving on to automotive design. The company is well known for its bubble cars and motorcycles, but its claim to fame lies in its performance GT car Iso Grifo. In 1960 Renzo was immensely attracted to the British Gordon GT prototype. Borrowing it for inspection, Renzo also borrowed some....
Continue Reading >>

1968 ISO Grifo Vehicle Profiles

1968 ISO Grifo vehicle information
Coupe

Chassis #: GL 840212
Engine #: 1087
1968 ISO Grifo vehicle information
Coupe

Chassis #: GL810191

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Grifo

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
96.50 in.
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 350.00hp
98.40 in.
8 cyl., 327.03 CID., 300.00hp
$14,985 - $14,985
98.40 in.
8 cyl., 327.03 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 327.03 CID., 365.00hp
$14,985 - $14,985
98.40 in.
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 300.00hp
$13,750 - $13,750
98.40 in.
8 cyl., 454.20 CID.
8 cyl., 427.04 CID., 350.00hp
98.40 in.
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 327.03 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 427.04 CID., 400.00hp
$13,448 - $13,448
98.40 in.
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 327.03 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 427.04 CID., 400.00hp
$13,448 - $13,448
98.40 in.
8 cyl., 329.53 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 327.03 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 427.04 CID., 400.00hp
$13,448 - $13,448
98.40 in.
8 cyl., 351.00 CID., 325.00hp
$13,450 - $13,450
98.40 in.
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 327.03 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 427.04 CID., 400.00hp
$13,450 - $13,450

Related Automotive News

Broad Arrow Announces Early Highlights For The Official Auction Of The Amelia

Broad Arrow Announces Early Highlights For The Official Auction Of The Amelia

1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Disc Brake Roadster finished in a stunning metallic blue with complementary maroon leather interior headlines an initial group of tour-ready post-war sports and classic cars set for The Amelia Auction....
Single-Owner Collection Showcasing The Art Of Speed To Go Under The Hammer In Fort Lauderdale

Single-Owner Collection Showcasing The Art Of Speed To Go Under The Hammer In Fort Lauderdale

Ferrari Icons and Lamborghini Countach to lead a road-going collection across the block RM Sothebys returns to Fort Lauderdale for 19th annual sale on 25-26 March 1984 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 S by Bertone to lead single-owne...
RM Sotheby's To Offer The Petitjean Collection 'Part Ii' – A Ferrari Only Collection From 1959 To 1989 To Be Offered Without Reserve

RM Sotheby's To Offer The Petitjean Collection 'Part Ii' – A Ferrari Only Collection From 1959 To 1989 To Be Offered Without Reserve

AN EXCEPTIONAL COLLECTION OF 28 FERRARI ROAD CARS CELEBRATING THREE DECADES OF THE MARANELLO MARQUE HEADS TO PARIS SALE RM Sothebys announces The Petitjean Collection Part II Incredible collection of 28 Ferrari road cars to be offer...
COYS SET FOR DOUBLE HEADER WITH MAJOR AUCTIONS AT AUTOSPORT AND INTERCLASSICS ON JANUARY 14TH

COYS SET FOR DOUBLE HEADER WITH MAJOR AUCTIONS AT AUTOSPORT AND INTERCLASSICS ON JANUARY 14TH

International auctioneers Coys are off to a busy start of the New Year with 100 classic and sports cars going under the hammer at two simultaneous auctions on Saturday 14th January at Autosport International in Birmingham and Interclassics in the Netherlands. Chris...
Thomas Scott Collection of Classic American Automobiles to be On Offer at No Reserve at Russo and Steele's 2015 Monterey Collector Automobile Auction Event

Thomas Scott Collection of Classic American Automobiles to be On Offer at No Reserve at Russo and Steele's 2015 Monterey Collector Automobile Auction Event

Scottsdale, Arizona (July 18th, 2015) – Thomas Scott is an accountant and entrepreneur from Athens, Georgia who has had a love for all things automotive for as long as he can remember. He possesses a lifetime of passion for buying, selling and...