1975 Iso Rivolta Lele – Classified of the Week

3

Chris Pollitt

Socks. Unending, unrequired, boring socks. Socks for years, only to be replaced by new socks a year later. That’s our Christmas, and there will be more than a few of you nodding along in agreement. But what might have you perplexed is what socks have to do with this rather magnificent 1975 Iso Rivolta Lele? Well, the car you’re looking at here was actually meant to be a Christmas present. And we don’t mean the car in the images, we mean the car as a whole, the very design of it, it’s reason for being was to be a Christmas present. That’s better than socks.

Iso, Lele, Iso Rivolta Lele, Rivolta, Iso Rivolta, V8, classic car, retro car, motoring, automotive, car and classic, carandclassic.com, retro, classic, V8 classic

Piere Rivolta, the son of ISO founder, Renzo, created the car as a Christmas present for his wife, Rachelle. Known as Lele, it seemed she was quite the muse, as Piere ultimately decided that the car bearing his wife’s name was too good to be a one-of-one, and thus put it into production. It made sense, as the V8-powered 2+2 was the perfect successor to the IR 300. The car, which was designed by Marcello Gandini, was unveiled at the 1969 New York International Auto Show and was positioned by Rivolta as a rival to the Lamborghini Espada. Ultimately, it couldn’t compete with the V12 Espada, but that’s another story for another time.

Iso, Lele, Iso Rivolta Lele, Rivolta, Iso Rivolta, V8, classic car, retro car, motoring, automotive, car and classic, carandclassic.com, retro, classic, V8 classic

Back to the Lele, it was originally fitted with a Chevrolet 327cui V8 with 350bhp backed up by a four (later five) speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. However, after approximately 125 were built, General Motors demanded Iso pay in advance for them. Iso didn’t, and instead used a 325bhp Ford 351cui V8 instead. That’s what’s fitted to the car you’re looking at here. As for the rest of the Lele, it was a luxurious, leather and wood-trimmed GT car with two very small seats in the back and big, comfy buckets in the front. If you want to blast across countries with the backdrop of a V8 soundtrack, the Lele is the way to do it.

Iso, Lele, Iso Rivolta Lele, Rivolta, Iso Rivolta, V8, classic car, retro car, motoring, automotive, car and classic, carandclassic.com, retro, classic, V8 classic

So what of the car we’re looking at here? Currently for sale with Duke of London, this 1974 built, 1975 registered Lele is finished in Azzurro Metallizzato blue with contrasting tan leather interior. It stands in original specification, and has covered a mere 38,270 miles. Interestingly, this Lele is one of fifty built in right-hand drive configuration, making it all the more appealing to a UK buyer. But that’s not the only selling point. Since coming out of long-term storage in 2015 (it was put away in 1997) has been treated to all manner of new parts in the interest of making it as good as possible.

Recent work includes new front shocks, new track rod ends, new stainless rear mufflers, new Edelbrock Performance inlet manifold, phonetic carb spacer, ARP fasteners and new gaskets, a new MSD billet distributor, MSD coil, new leads and myriad other small sundry parts. As such, it’s fighting fit and ready to go wherever you point it. As glorious today as it was in 1975, this is a GT car for those who want something truly special and standout. You’re not going to see another one, that’s for sure.

Iso, Lele, Iso Rivolta Lele, Rivolta, Iso Rivolta, V8, classic car, retro car, motoring, automotive, car and classic, carandclassic.com, retro, classic, V8 classic

How much is it? £79,950. You could buy a lot of socks for that. But could you buy another Italian GT of the same vintage, in the same condition, with the same low mileage for the same amount? Probably not. Go on, dare to be different. It’ll soon be Christmas after all…

Missed out on this one, but looking for another to put on your Christmas list? Here’s where you can keep a lookout for an Iso Rivolta for sale.

Enjoyed this article?

Sign up to our weekly newsletter to receive the latest articles, news, classic cars, auctions and events every Thursday - compiled expertly by the Car & Classic team