Beskrivning
For sale in our forthcoming auction 'Retromobile the Official Sale', on 2 February 2024 :
French title
Chassis No 350410
Engine No 3510-4V
- One of 34 examples built with the Ford V8 engine
- Matching numbers, matching colours
- Clear history, numerous recent works
The perspective of this Iso Grifo would most certainly not leave anyone indifferent, thanks to the sculptural beauty of its Bertone bodywork added to its combination of colours, which transfigures the brutal characteristic specific to Giotto Bizzarini's creations: a very successful aesthetic pairing.
Out of the factory on the 8th October 1973 as stated by its production records, this example from the second series is the penultimate one produced. It was one of 34 units powered by the 351cc Ford Cleveland V8 engine, renowned for its reliability and low maintenance costs. This powerful V8 is linked to an automatic gearbox (10 examples produced in this configuration) and an axle with a 3. 07:1 ratio. Its first owner (an Italian from South Tyrol) chose the stunning Blue Green colour for the bodywork, combined with a light blue leather interior. The package also included gorgeous Campagnolo rims (identical to those fitted on the Iso Grifo A3/ C and the Bizzarrini 5300 GT), as well as air conditioning, power steering and a car radio.
This beautiful Iso was then sold on the 7th October 1975 to an Italian who kept it until 2012 and had it repainted in midnight blue. It was then acquired by an American dealer and the car was offered at auction in 2014 by Gooding & Co. during the Amelia Island Concours of Elegance. It was described there in amazing original condition, with approximately 5, 000 genuine kilometres. Returning to Europe in 2016 (Netherlands more precisely), the car was purchased by its current French owner the same year, then resold… which he deeply regretted and that led him to buy it again as soon as possible. Since then, the bodywork has been restored and returned to its original colour. The sheet metal alignments are excellent and so is the quality of the paint.
Bodywork seals were replaced and the engine (matching numbers) was serviced. On board, the superb upholstery is original and its slight wear substantiates the low mileage displayed on the odometer. Ready to hit the road, this magnificent Iso blends a combination of colours and engineering that is certainly unique. It doesn't get boring to admire it, while having in mind the pleasure that one can experience at the wheel, with this overwhelmingly powerful engine!
