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1969 ISO Lele

The Iso Lele was a grand tourer that wore styling by Marcello Gandini of Bertone and was produced from 1969 to 1974, with total production reaching 285 units. Also known as the Rivolta Lele or the Iso Lele IR6, it was a 2-door 2+2 coupe that was produced alongside the 2-seater Iso Grifo and four-door Iso Fidia. The Rivolta Lele was named after Rachelle (LeLe) Rivolta, wife of Piero Rivolta - the son of Iso company founder Renzo.

The car (the Lele) had been meant as a Christmas present for Rachelle Rivolta, and following a positive reception, it was decided to put it into production. It was officially presented to the public in 1969 at the New York International Auto Show.

The Iso Lele had sporty styling that was modern and elegant, with an aerodynamic shape that complimented its performance underpinnings. Styling by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, the Lele featured front hidden headlamps with popup covers partially covering the quad headlamps when not in use. The 2+2 seating made it a versatile grand tourer, and its luxurious interior accouterments included plush carpeting, leather upholstery, air conditioning, and electric windows. A speedometer and tachometer were within quick glances by the driver, positioned directly behind the steering column. An additional four gauges were located on the center console, displaying water and oil temperature, as well as the amount of fuel remaining.

Mechanical Specifications

The Lele used a chassis designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, a talented engineer who had contributed to the Ferrari 250 GTO and the Lamborghini 350 GT. It was the same chassis used in Iso automobiles since the IR 300, and had a wheelbase size of 107.9 inches, a length of 183.1 inches, a width of 68.9 inches, and a height of 53.1 inches. The front suspension was comprised of unequal-length double-wishbones with coil springs while the rear relied on a de Dion layout with coil springs, Koni telescopic shock absorbers, dual trailing arms and a Watts linkage which located the Salisbury axle unit.

The steering was via a ZF power unit, inboard disc brakes provided the stopping power, and the Campagnolo magnesium alloy wheels were wrapped with 215/70 VP15 Michelin XWX tires.

Engine

Beneath the long and graceful bonnet was a 5,354cc Chevrolet V8 engine that produced approximately 300 horsepower. Around 112 examples had the 300 hp engine, and 13 examples received a higher specification, 350 hp Chevy V8 engine. Initially, the engines were paired with a four-speed GM Muncie manual transmission, while later examples received a 5-speed unit from ZF Friedrichshafen. A four-speed automatic from General Motors was optional.

Iso had produced approximately 125 examples of the Lele by 1972 when General Motors requested that Iso pay in advance for the engines. Exploring new options, Iso found a worthy engine replacement from Ford. The engine selected was a 5,736cc (nearly the same size as the Chevy unit) Cleveland V8 rated at 325 horsepower. The manual transmission remained unchanged but the automatic unit was now from Ford.

Iso Lele IR6 and IR6 Sport

By 1973, the Lele had become known as the Lele IR6, and it was joined by an even sportier version dubbed the Lele IR6 Sport. Its engine was given a 101.6 mm bore, a stroke of 88.9mm, a 5,800 RPM redline, a compression ratio of 8.6:1, and an output of 360 horsepower. Only the ZF 5-speed manual transmission was offered. These revisions were based on two bespoke versions made for Iso-Marlboro Formula One team drivers Howden Ganley and Nanni Galli. Complementing its higher specification, weight was reduced by the disposal of sound-deadening materials.

Production

The Iso Lele was produced from 1969 to 1972 with the 5,354cc Chevy 327 V8 engine, and from 1972 to 1974 with the 5,736cc Ford 351 V8 engine. A total of 285 examples were built, with 112 having the 300 hp Chevy engine, 13 with the 350 hp Chevy V8, and 135 with the 325 hp Ford V8. An additional 20 examples were IR6 Sport specification examples with the 360 hp engine. Two additional examples were Lele IR6 Marlboro cars with the 360 hp engine.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Bertone

The Iso Lele, produced in Milano, Italy, from 1969 to 1974 by Piero & Rachele Rivolta, was an elegant performance vehicle that could reach a top speed of 160 mph. The frame was from Jaguar, the body was courtesy of Bertone, and the inboard disc brakes were from Jaguar. The engine was a Chevrolet Corvette 350 cubic-inch, 5.7-liter unit that produced 350 horsepower. The gearbox was a German ZF 5-speed manual. Total production was 317 units.

by Dan Vaughan

The Iso Lele was produced from 1969 through 1974 with a total of 285 examples produced. It was a 2+2 seater that was positioned between the Grifo and the Fidia and was fitted with a V8 engine (from Chevrolet or Ford). The styling was performed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. Piero Rivolta, the son of Iso company founder Renzo, named the car 'Lele' after his wife - Lele Rivolta.

The Lele was originally fitted with GM powerplants but when in 1972 GM requested that the engines be paid for in advance, Iso switched to the Ford Cleveland V8. At that time, the automatic gearbox also became a Ford unit, while the five-speed manual remained unchanged.

In 1973, the Lele IR6 Sport was introduced and brought with it a 360 horsepower engine and a ZF five-speed manual gearbox. The Lele IR6 Marlboro version was introduced when an agreement with Philip Morris and the formation of the Iso-Marlboro Formula 1 team.

In 1974 Iso closed, bringing an end to the Lele production.

by Dan Vaughan

The name Iso has been synonymous with luxury for many years throughout the automobile world. 'Ieri, oggi, domani' Italian for 'yesterday, today and tomorrow' Is Iso's trademark.

Named after Lele Rivolta, the wife of Piero Rivolta; the son of Iso, the company founder of Renzo, the Iso Lele was quite a classy vehicle. Unveiled in 1969, the Lele was designed by Bertone and was the successor to the Rivolta. This was the number one vehicle that was designed by both Bertone Piero Rivolta and his wife for an American client who requested Iso to produce something unique and exotic.

The Iso Lele was a large roomy coupe that featured a 'well executed combination of a sportscar and luxury sedan.' The Lele was a spirited four-seater coupe powered by an eight-cylinder Cobra Jet engine. The Lele featured a V8 engine that produced 355 bhp and was offered with a five-speed gearbox as standard and automatic transmission available as an option. The Lele came with AC, luxury fittings, a power lock differential, and electronic injection. With a top speed of 147 mph, the Iso Lele could achieve 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds.

The sports coupé Lele featured an ultra-sleek body that encased a 2+2 seater that filled the space between the Fidia and the Grifo. The styling of Bertone was used, much like the Grifo. The engine capacity was increased in 1970 to 5,736 cc while an equal maximum power of 300 or 350 hp now improved the torque distribution along with the 'elasticity of travel'. The Lele came with a 106.3-inch wheelbase and had a length of 183.1 inches and a width of 68.9 inches.

Two years later, the Ford Cleveland V8 engine was replaced with the Chevy engine due to a request from GM to pay in advance for the engines. The manual 5-speed transmission stayed the same, while the automatic transmission was from Ford. The Lele IR was the standard version flanked by the Lele IR6 Sports. The IR featured an enhanced engine at 360 hp and change-only manual ZF 5-speed transmission.

The Iso Rivolta Lele Sport was introduced from 1973 through 1974 and was a very exclusive sports vehicle. The Sport could achieve an impressive 170 miles an hour as a top speed and produced around 360 horsepower from its 5.7-liter, Ford-sourced V8 engine. Only 20 Iso Lele Sports were ever produced. The seats were replaced with lightweight ones, while sound-deading material was removed along with the wood trim. Featuring a much sportier interior, the dashboard, and steering wheels were changed while extra gauges were placed in front of the passengers. The Sport received a large front spoiler while the bumpers were in black fiberglass.

From an agreement with Philip Morris, Iso introduced the team Formula 1 Iso-Marlboro which was presented as the Lelo IR Marlboro. This version was 510 lbs lighter than the Lele Sport version. Introduced in 1973, only five Lele Marlboro's were ever produced and featured a 360 hp Ford engine and ZF 5-speed gearbox.

The Iso Lele retained the quiet, comfortable, and unique features of the earlier Iso Rivolta. A very elegant automobile, unfortunately, the Iso Lele didn't draw the crowds the way other Italian Supercars did. Iso's were produced in Varedo, Italy, 13 miles outside of Milan. Many enthusiasts consider Iso's to be among the most beautiful automobiles in the world.

A total of 317 models were produced during its production run from 1969 through 1975. The final Iso Lele rolled off the assembly line in December of 1974.

by Jessican Donaldson