AUTOMOBILE magazine profiles the Iso Grifo and Chronicles Editor Marty Schorr’s Series I 1967 Grifo.
In the early-mid-1960s, Iso’s founder, Renzo Rivolta, created the perfect storm: A Giorgetto Giugiaro styled GT/Sports road warrior with an over-engineered platform by Pierluigi Raggi and Giotto Bizzarrini (Ferrari 250 TR and GTO) and Corvette V-8 power. Badged Grifo, it became Iso’s highest profile, flagship vehicle. After Renzo Rivolta passed away in August 1966, his son, Piero, continued the tradition. Under his watch, Iso produced the Series II Grifo, Fidia four-door sedan, 2+2 Lele and Varedo Concept. He was responsible for Iso’s Formula One racing program with Marlboro and Ford.
Between years 1962 and 1974, Iso produced approximately 1,669-1,699 vehicles, depending upon how you interpret the model-by-model breakdown in Winston Goodfellow’s excellent book, ISORIVOLTA The Men, The Machines. In 1972 Iso started powering cars with Ford 351-inch Cleveland engines.
Iso went into bankruptcy in 1972, changed hands and then closed its doors two years later.
Accurately documenting vehicle production has been extremely difficult. Between 1972-1974, Iso was owned and run by Dr. Ivo Pera. Some cars were completed after Pera shut Iso down; others were created from real and questionable factory documents. Some are still turning up!
The Grifo was the most expensive model in Iso’s portfolio and, over a ten-year period, production averaged approximately 40 units per year. Iso Grifo #047, one of the first 50 Grifos coachbuilt by Iso using hand-beaten (not stamped like Rivolta GT bodies) body panels supplied by Bertone, is featured in Joe Lorio’s article (photography by A.J. Mueller) in AUTOMOBILE. It had an original MSRP of over-$14,000 and was an early U.S. spec model. Based on its build date, it should have been a 1966 model!
Renzo Rivolta’s strategy was to build just 50 Grifos, as Iso’s strength and “comfort zone” was in the four-place, two-door sports sedan market. Its bread and butter, signature product: Rivolta GT. When the automotive media and Sports/GT marketplace responded positively to the new Grifo, it was given production status. Iso continued to use Grifo body panels (still hand-beaten) from Bertone’s original supplier, Silvercar. Grifo #047 was built on June 7, 1966, a couple of months before Renzo Rivolta passed away and 25-year-old Piero Rivolta took over as President.
Grifo #047, far left, at MOTION in 1969.
Grifo #047 was factory-fitted with a 1962-1963 solid-lifter 327/340 Corvette engine with a Carter four-barrel carburetor. It was sold and delivered new by Baldwin Chevrolet, Baldwin, NY, to me at Motion Performance on March 31, 1969. Iso dealer, Malcolm Konner Chevrolet, Paramus, NJ, originally imported #047.
Joel Rosen tunes #047 on Clayton dyno in 1969
The leftover 1967 Grifo’s 327/340 received an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, Holley 600-cfm four-barrel and recalibrated ignition. The original factory exhaust system was retained and, except for mufflers, remains intact. After Motion’s Joel Rosen dyno-tuned it he installed a metal MOTION emblem under the hood.
To complete the Baldwin-Motion conversion, right, a Corvette 350/370 LT1, supplied by Corvette Godfather, Zora Arkus-Duntov, was installed as soon as replacement engines were available. The LT1 features forged steel crank and rods, forged aluminum 11.0-to-1 pistons and big 2.02/1.60-inch-valve heads. Before the new engine was installed, heads were given a competition valve job with PC seals. Because the close-ratio Muncie T-10 four-speed and Salisbury limited-slip rear with 3.07 gearing were retained, the LT1 was fitted with a 300-hp hydraulic lifter cam and valve train as well as the Edelbrock-Holley induction system that had been installed on the 327/340. All original Iso engine trim, including high capacity finned alloy oil pan, was utilized on the new engine.
Complete Baldwin-Motion conversion documentation, original Baldwin Chevrolet invoice and MSO, factory build sheet and an unbroken paper trail from new are included in this car’s provenance. It is the only Baldwin-Motion converted Iso Grifo and the only Grifo in the U.S. (one of two in the world) still owned by its original purchaser. Original mileage is under-13,000 and, except for a custom Candy-Pearl paint job by Circus Automotive in 1972-1973, it’s never been restored.
The IBOC (Iso-Bizzarrini Owners Club, 2025 Drake Drive. Oakland, CA 94611) promotes the awareness and preservation of the Iso and Bizzarrini marques.
If you missed Joe Lorio’s Classic Collectible feature in the August issue of AUTOMOBILE, please visit http://www.automobilemag.com/features/collectible_classic/1008_iso_grifo_collectible_classic/index.html
For more Grifo photos by A.J. Mueller, check out the Grifo Album on Picassa, http://picasaweb.google.com/srq.caferacers/1967IsoGrifo047PhotosByAJMueller#
For more information about the availability of Winston Goodfellow’s book, ISORIVOLTA The Men, The Machines, please visit http://www.pierorivolta.net/