page_title: Iso (automobile)
section_title: 1960s: performance cars
hierarchical_section_title: Iso (automobile) / History / 1960s: performance cars
caption_attribution_description: La vente aux enchères RM auctions aux pied des Invalides à Paris le 4 février 2015.
context_page_description: Iso was an Italian automobile and motorcycle maker. The company was predominantly active from the late 1940s through the early 1970s. Iso is known for the iconic Isetta bubble car of the 1950s, and for a number of performance cars in the 1960s and early 1970s.
context_section_description: Together with engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and coachbuilder Bertone, Renzo Rivolta began developing the Iso Rivolta IR 300, which was first presented at the Torino Motor Show of 1962. 
  The 5.4 L V8 Chevrolet Small-Block engine and the transmission came from General Motors in Detroit, and the de Dion suspension and four-wheel disc braking system came from the large Jaguars of the time. This concept was maintained for almost all production cars of Iso. Starting in 1971, Ford 351 Cleveland engines replaced the GM small block.
  Iso's most well-known gran turismo automobile was the Grifo which featured a low-slung, sporty berlinetta body by Bertone. After Bizzarrini left the project, this prototype formed the basis for his own Bizzarini 5300 GT. The Grifo Prototype was further refined by Iso, receiving a reworked, less aggressive and more luxurious body in the process, and went into production in 1965. The Grifo was powered by Chevrolet´s 327 cubic inch (5.4 litre) small-block V8 rated at either 300 or 350 hp. In 1966, a convertible version of the Grifo was shown, but never reached production. Starting in 1968 the Grifo was also available with Chevrolet's 427 cubic inch big-block V-8; this version was known as the Grifo 7 litri and was easily recognized by the broad air inlet on the hood.  The Series II, introduced in 1970, featured concealed headlights and a slightly modified front area.
  After the sudden death of Renzo Rivolta at Milan on 20 August 1966, his 25 year old son Piero became the director of Iso. Under Piero's leadership, Iso built the limousine 'S 4 (for "four seats", later to be called 'Fidia) with body by Ghia, the Grifo 7 litri (with the GM V8 7 L marine engine) and the 2 + 2 fastback Coupé Lele (1969) with body designed by Bertone, intended as the successor to the IR 300. The Iso Rivolta plant moved from Bresso to Varedo in 1972. Apart from the Grifo Series II, Fidia and Lele, a mid-engine concept car named the Varedo was developed, designed by  Ercole Spada, but only one car was ever built. Iso went bankrupt in 1974, only 1,700 Iso Gran Turismos had been built in those ten years.
caption: The A3C was meant to be the racing variant of the Grifo but only 22 will be built before Bizzarrini would split from the company and make his own variation
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