Highlights
- Rare and highly desirable Series 1 Grifo coupe finished in beautiful Grigio grey metallic
- Has spent much of its life in Germany, recently as part of a prestigious collection by an Iso enthusiast
- Beautiful older restoration
- Clearly very well looked after since
- One of only 330 Series 1 cars built
- Hundreds of photos of the restoration are available
- Matching numbers engine
The Appeal
Designed by Guigiaro while he was at Bertone and said to be one of his favourite designs, the sumptuously styled Grifo married those lines with clever, lightweight engineering by ex Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. Just 413 left the Iso factory between 1965 and 1974. The illustrious duo behind the car’s genesis, plus that rarity explains why the few Iso Grifos that come up for sale are so revered. And so valuable.
This beautiful Grigio metallic coupe is a 1969 car, the 270th of 330 Series 1 cars built, and has had just three owners, most recently being part of an Iso collector’s fleet. It is an older restoration with what appears to retain it's original interior that presents very well, the tasteful combination of bodywork and interior colours being subtle and inviting. Lightweight, with Corvette V8 power, the Grifo was then and is now one of the most beguiling and desirable classic cars. This is a rare opportunity to buy a clearly cared for and very gorgeous example.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered on 24th July 1969
- Chassis records indicate that this was the 270th of 330 Series 1 cars
- Some original paperwork dating to the 1970s included with car
- Three German owners
- Seller is a longstanding classic car collector with several Iso's in his fleet
- Older restoration but unfortunately there is little history and no photographs of the work with the car
- Vendor states that this is a very original car with straight lines and in very good overall condition
The Grifo was the second car to result from Iso Rivolta’s tilt away from tiny bubble cars to the more esoteric world of high class grand tourers. Announced in 1963 and launched in 1965 it was the product of two of Italy’s most famous motoring names, Giorgetto Guigiaro and Giotto Bizzarrini, the former completing the svelte lines, the latter applying his Ferrari-honed know-how to the engineering.
To those near-perfect ingredients Iso added the engine and running gear from a Corvette, each engine being imported from the USA then carefully disassembled and rebuilt before going under the bonnets. With low weight and close to 300bhp, the Grifo was beautiful and supremely capable.
Just 330 Series 1 Grifos were built before the design was modified in 1970 to create the Series 2, of which only 83 were produced up to 1974. The very low volumes, the impeccable design and engineering provenance and those beautiful lines clearly explain why Iso values continue to climb and climb 50 years after the last cars left the factory.
The Interior
- High quality and seemingly original trim in mid blue leather still in remarkable condition
- Beautifully detailed interior that blends chrome switchgear and quality tooled leather with excellent veneers
- Small rear seat with useful under-seat storage
- Excellent carpets in contrasting grey finish
- Lovely Veglia dials in very good condition
The attention to detail evident in Iso’s design and specification of the Grifo extends to the beautiful interior. Exquisitely handcrafted with a blend of wood, leather and chrome, it is a light and airy place to be and a fitting accompaniment to those sinuous exterior lines.
This car has been part of an Iso enthusiast’s collection in recent years and we understand from the vendor that the interior was recently restored. It appears to have been done to a very high standard with only very light use since, evident in the slight creases to the driver’s seat. It is finished in an attractive shade of mid-blue that nicely complements the grey metallic bodywork.
The fixtures and fittings are complete, all in very good condition and with no discernible damage or deterioration. The only mark, which we include for transparency and to indicate how good the rest of the interior is, is to the leather gear knob which has a small nail scuff on the rear side.
The Exterior
- Classic 60s GT styling by Guigiaro while he was at Bertone and said to be one of his favourite designs
- Unmarked Grigio metallic grey paintwork, a particularly attractive ‘gunmetal grey’ colour that accentuates the lines of this car
- Avon tyres with Campagnolo Magnesium alloy wheels
- Excellent panel fit with clean, straight lines down both sides and across the car
- Very good underside and structure with professionally applied, consistent underseal
The 1960s offered high end buyers a wealth of big ‘grand touring’ cars that could capitalise on the expanding high speed road network. They were designed to make blasting down to warmer climes the business of a few hours of motoring.
Of the various offerings from makers like Jensen, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Maserati the Grifo is amongst the rarest. Penned by Guigiaro whilst he was at Bertone, it is a clever design that is both conservative, in its arrangement of the classic GT profile, yet bold in its use of glass and detailing. This is particularly evident from the car’s rear profile, where the curving glass and shaped panels make the Grifo distinct from any of its contemporaries.
Grifos were built in low volume to high standards. This car is finished in Grigio metallic, a dark grey colour that seems to particularly suit its lines. The factory’s records are limited so it is not possible to tell if this was the car’s original colour. We understand that it reflects an older restoration completed to what appears to be a high standard and, thanks to limited recent use as part of an Iso collection, remains in very good condition. There are no visible marks, chips or other signs of deterioration in the photographs. The panel gaps are consistent and the shut lines excellent.
The beautiful detailing of the car, including those flowing Iso badges, is complete and in similarly good condition.
The car sits on quality Avon rubber and what appear to be Campagnolo magnesium alloy rims. These are period correct, were fitted by the factory and appear to have been refurbished. There are some minor signs of deterioration in the photographs but nothing unsightly.
The underside of the car, helpfully displayed in the numerous photos, indicates similar care by the seller. The chassis looks in superb condition, with no visible deterioration and a consistent and even application of underseal.
The Mechanics
- 330cuin 5.4litre Chevrolet Corvette engine developing around 300bhp when new
- Low weight of around 1000kg enables excellent handling and performance
- Chassis and mechanicals engineered by ex-Ferrari man Giotto Bizzarrini
- Every Corvette engine was shipped, fully built, to Iso then stripped down and rebuilt
- We understand that this car was originally specified with an automatic gearbox and rear axle but converted to 4speed manual specification in 1971
- New carburettor fitted
- Unfortunately there is no history available on the servicing and maintenance of this car
- This car was a longstanding part of an Iso collector’s fleet and little used in that time
Where some contemporary GT cars made do with sumptuous looks disguising relatively workaday mechanicals, Iso took a very different route with the Grifo. Jointly developed with Giotto Bizzarrini, recently of Ferrari engineering fame, the Grifo was part of a project to create a very capable race car. Consequently, Bizzarrini carefully engineered it to deliver low weight, excellent handling and similarly vivid performance.
The two firms fell out before the Grifo reached production, but the results of Bizzarrini’s labours made for a highly capable car that went as well as it looked.
The 5.4.litre 330cuin small block Chevrolet Corvette engine at the heart of the Grifo may not have had the kudos of machines from Maranello, but it ensured the car was as reliable as it was good to drive. Every engine was shipped to Iso fully built then carefully stripped and rebuilt by the firm before going into each car.
As a Series 1 car this 1969 model has that 5.4litre engine, which delivers around 300bhp. There is little history with the car covering the servicing and maintenance of this motor but the condition in the photos and the provenance - the car was part of an Iso collector’s fleet - indicate that it has likely been cared for. A new carburettor has recently been fitted as the photographs show.
We understand that this car left the factory with an automatic gearbox and rear axle. In 1971, shortly after it was sold, it was converted to manual gearbox and axle ratios, being fitted with the 4spd manual gearbox used on factory-delivered Iso Grifos at the time.
Summary
The 1960s saw a flush of beautiful GT cars launch across Europe, which put the Iso Grifo up against some illustrious competition. Finely developed by two of Italy’s greatest car men, the Grifo offered provenance and rarity that few of those rivals could match. Five decades on from the last cars leaving the factory, those qualities ensure that the Grifo’s desirability continues to grow and values are following suit.
This beautifully presented, low owner 1969 Series 1 car has come from an Iso collector’s fleet and shows clear evidence of considerable expenditure over the years, covering bodywork and interior fittings and likely the mechanicals too. Attractively specified, it represents a rare opportunity to buy perhaps one of the best GT cars of all time.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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