While the De Tomaso Pantera comes immediately to mind when thinking of strikingly-styled Italian GTs with American powerplants, the Iso Grifo is another take on the same recipe – but in far more limited quantities. Powered by a 350 b.h.p. 327-cubic-inch V8 and equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox, this Grifo Series 1 listed here on the RM Sotheby’s website remains in excellent condition and has a minor claim to fame for appearing in a movie called The Violent Professionals.
Iso has built some truly memorable cars over the course of its limited history, even though many of them haven’t risen to the same level of prominence of models like the Lamborghini Espada and Ferrari 330 GT. The Iso Rivolta, Fidia, Lele – these are all examples of gorgeous Italian GTs with big, domestically-sourced V8 and back seats. For whatever reason, these models don’t seem to come up for grabs nearly as often as some of the other models mentioned here, and the Iso Grifo Series 1 is another example of a model that combines striking design with V8 power and seating for four.
A few years ago, when prices for numerous different collector cars began to spike as the bizarre pandemic economy took hold, the Iso Grifo began to take off. Shops responsible for servicing models like the Grifo began to notice customers taking greater interest in restoring cars as opposed to simply maintaining them, and deeper appreciation for the easily sourced parts for the thundering Ford and GM-sourced V8s under the hood. And let’s not forget this is a beautiful car regardless of the affordable parts, as this stunning interior goes to show.
The car shown here was delivered new in Italy and later registered in Holland. It went to New York after that, where a restoration to return it to its original colors and other freshening up was performed. It retains its original engine and is still in excellent condition today, which should drive strong interest on the bidder side. The market for Italian GTs will always be active, and an under-the-radar classic like the Iso Grifo and related models seems like a smart buy in the vintage 2+2 segment. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Araknid78 for the find.
Good to see someone truly appreciated this Deus ex machina. Imagine driving this on PC1, The Highway to the Sun or cruising on The Tail of the Dragon listening to that V8 strum and burble.
A beautiful Italian with an American heartbeat, a Gina Carano on wheels-what’s not to like?
Early ’70s in Reno, Nevada. Beautiful black Iso Grifo on a lot a few blocks from the Porsche dealer. $5,000. Nothing wrong with it. Kept going to the Porsche dealer and drove home with a ’65 C Coupe for $5,000. To this day I wonder how well I came out on cars that day.
You went with the 356 over the 911…interesting.
Beautiful looking car. I’ve heard of the Iso Grifo, but I’ve never seen one, except in pics. I love the front end appearance of the car.
One of the greats. Bizzarini chose the Chevy V8 because he knew its power/ weight potential was up there with the Italian V12 engines (NB: Bizzarini engineered the 250GTO and designed the Lamborghini V12 motor- so knew what he was up against).
Beautiful. In no way is the Grifo a 2+2, writer must have had something else in mind.
I have the number 75 Matchbox copy. It had a little hitch to tow a boat. At this time that will have to do. Beautiful car. I liked as a kid and still do but sadly have never seen one in the wild. My little Matchbox has wire wheels….lol
I think I have the boat for your trailer hitch :^)
https://petrolicious.com/articles/twin-lamborghini-v12s-produce-700-horsepower-in-the-fastest-riva-aquarama-ever-built
Interesting read about that boat. She is a beauty. And fast.
The link wants the reader to sign in so instead here’s another link..
https://www.carbodydesign.com/2013/10/ferruccio-lamborghinis-twin-v12-riva-motorboat-restored/
Great suggestion Scott m!
Haha, me too. Is yours dark blue?
I have one in green, and yes the blue also. The blue ones wheels are not the wire type and if I remember I think the blue one’s doors open. There was also an orange version with speed wheels before they retired the casting. So much fun. It was always a good choice to chase the Corgi James Bond DB5 long ago…….
Me too. My dad had an XB Falcon 500 company car. The ISO Grifo and 71-73 FatStangs and Australian Falcons from 73-76 had a strong Grifo flavor. 🥝✔️
Jeff, I have seen many of these cars, here in the US. There was no “back seat” in any of them. It was described when new as a “Grand Tourer”, but that meant it was a road car, and not a race car. It didn’t mean it was a 2+2. I looked for an image of the trunk, which I recall is meant for touring, but nobody publishes that view. I recall a cross panel behind the front seats, not a shelf for a briefcase. https://youtu.be/uKJP42vaD4A?si=X97vbrDavvhUUBSw
Still one of the most beautiful and functional dashboards to grace any car. Simple, clean, elegant. Perfect candidate for a Lambo V10 swap…
I predict this will be the first exotic featured in the history of Barn Finds where no one suggests an LS1 swap.
Just too nice the way it is.
At first glance,it looked like a fastback Firebird.Gorgeous
Great cars, and luv the color, but for me it sits too high in the rear.
Looks terrible, was probably involved in some nice front collision and not repaired well. Rear end is suspicious, too. I bet if I had it lifted up, I would find all kinds of funny traces. Otherwise a very nice and very exotic car. Best combo really, US muscle combined with bellezza Italiana.
Beautiful car. I was taken aback to see Corvette valve covers. You’d think they would have used no-script ones instead.
This is a beautiful car for sure, and it reminds me of John DeLorean’s Firebird.
My older brother’s friend had a blue one in the late seventies as a daily ! He sold it with a profit a long time ago cause he couldn’t afford to daily it , i have always loved the looks and the soud of it , never got a ride in it cause i was the annoying younger brother !
gotta use the “oh m gee” here.
~Gotawoodie~
.
Folks know my belief in the Italian sports (just 50s thru early/mid ‘70s.)
No gated shifter & this country did not go for the fold open nose (loose the katty corner slats upholstery) but has the fastback and several tasteful vents – form follows function (yeahashassss
Thank you Iso Autoveicoli for the silver body, Y not the 351W, a fav of mine?
Wish I was a multi-bazzilionaire, because I would snag this absolutely gorgeous Iso in a heartbeat. The fact that it comes with a stone reliable Corvette 327 and 4 speed means that engine and transmission maintenance can be done in my garage while still having the power and sound to back up the sweet Italian styling. Another one to add to my dream collection.
$324,000 USD | Sold
United States | Phoenix, Arizona