View source for Iso Grifo

{{Infobox automobile
| image =1969 Iso Grifo in Rosso Chiaro (Darren Frank), front left, at Greenwich 2019.jpg
| name = Iso Grifo
| production = 1965–1974
| assembly = Italy: [[Bresso]]
|manufacturer=[[Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A.]]
| engine = {{ubl | 5.4&nbsp;L ''[[Chevrolet small-block engine#327|Chevrolet 327]]'' [[Overhead valve engine|OHV]] [[V8 engine|V8]] | 5.8&nbsp;L ''[[Ford 335 engine#351 Cleveland|Ford 351]]'' OHV V8 | 7.0&nbsp;L ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#427|Chevrolet 427]]'' OHV V8 | 7.4&nbsp;L ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#454|Chevrolet 454]]'' OHV V8 }}
| transmission = {{unbulleted list
|4-speed ''[[BorgWarner]]'' [[manual transmission|manual]]
|5-speed [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] manual
|3-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
}}
| length = {{convert|4430|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1770|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1200|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|layout=[[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
| body_style = 2-door [[coupe]]
| weight = {{convert|3150|-|3550|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|2500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| designer = [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at [[Gruppo Bertone|Bertone]]
}}
{{Listen
|filename     =Iso Grifo A3C (1965).ogg
|title        =1965 A3/C at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010
|type         =sound
|style        =float:right
}}
The '''Iso Grifo''' is a limited production [[grand tourer]] manufactured by Italian automobile manufacturer [[Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A.]] between 1965 and 1974.<ref name=buckleyrees>Buckley; Rees. p155</ref> Intended to compete with Grand Touring offerings from [[Ferrari]] and [[Maserati]], it used a series of American power trains and components supplied by Chevrolet and Ford.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.carligious.com/articles/forgotten-supercars/italian-passion-american-muscle-1965-1974-iso-grifo |title=Italian Passion, American Muscle: 1965 – 1974 Iso Grifo |publisher=Carligious |date= |access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref><ref name=Gulett>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ukst0yjvkDoC&q=iso+grifo+american&pg=PA81 |title=European Style with American Muscle - Mike Gulett - Google Books |isbn=9781257904969 |accessdate=2017-06-22|last1=Gulett |first1=Mike |year=2011 |publisher=Mike Gulett }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.classiccarchasers.com/single-post/2016/07/27/American-Muscle-Italian-Suit-1965-Iso-Grifo-A3C-Bizzarrini |title=Classic Car Chasers {{!}} Home |website=www.classiccarchasers.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314153315/https://www.classiccarchasers.com/single-post/2016/07/27/American-Muscle-Italian-Suit-1965-Iso-Grifo-A3C-Bizzarrini |archive-date=2017-03-14}} </ref> Styling was done by [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at [[Gruppo Bertone|Bertone]], while the mechanicals were the work of [[Giotto Bizzarrini]].<ref name=scm201312>{{cite journal|last=Comer|first=Colin|title=1967 Iso Grifo GL 300|journal=[[Sports Car Market]]|date=December 2013|volume=25|issue=12|pages=54–55}}</ref>
The first production GL models appeared in 1965 and were powered by American [[Chevrolet small-block engine#327|Chevrolet small-block 327]] (5.4-litre) [[V8 engine]]s fitted to American supplied [[Borg-Warner]] 4-speed manual transmissions. The 5.4-litre engine was rated at {{convert|300|hp|abbr=on}} in its standard form and allowed the car to attain a speed of {{convert|110|km/h|mi/h|0|abbr=on}} in first gear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoclassmagazine.com/web/iso-rivolta-a3c-b0207-that-special-heart/|title=Iso Rivolta A3/C #B0207 – That Special Heart|author=Manuel Bordini|date=29 March 2019 |publisher=Autoclass Magazine|access-date=2020-01-07}}</ref>
[[File:Iso Grifo in Bedfordshire.JPG|thumb|left|Iso Grifo Series II]]
In 1970, the Grifo Series II was introduced, with sleeker styling and hide-away headlights and powered by big-block [[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#454|Chevrolet 454 V8]] (7.4-litre) engines. It was replaced in 1972 with the Grifo IR-8, which used a small-block [[Ford Boss 351 engine]] (5.8-litre) as its power-train. This was the last new Iso of any type, as the manufacturer went bankrupt; it shut down and ceased all operations permanently in 1974.<ref name=buckleyrees/> The bankruptcy had a number of causes, perhaps the largest being the [[1973 oil crisis]], which significantly reduced demand for cars with large displacement engines.
==History==
[[File:1969 Iso Grifo in Rosso Chiaro (Darren Frank), rear left, leaving Greenwich 2019.jpg|left|thumb|Iso Grifo Series I, rear view]]
Iso S.p.A. was already well known for producing the high-performance [[Iso Rivolta IR 300|Rivolta IR 300]]; a sleek looking 2+2 Coupe based on [[Chevrolet Corvette]] mechanicals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://silodrome.com/short-film-iso-rivolta-chronicles/|title=The Iso Rivolta Chronicles Film Series|date=2017-06-06|website=Silodrome}}</ref> After leaving [[Ferrari]], in 1961 [[Giotto Bizzarrini]] set up ''“Prototipi Bizzarrini”'' in [[Livorno]], [[Tuscany]] where he designed and consulted for marques such as ATS, [[Lamborghini]], and Iso.<ref name=Fearnley>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-2003/90/bizza-express|title=Bizza express|magazine=[[Motor Sport Magazine]]|page=90|issue=December 2003|author=Paul Fearnley|access-date=2020-01-07}}</ref> In 1963, he designed the Iso Grifo A3/L ("L" for ''Lusso'', Italian for "luxury") for [[Renzo Rivolta]], who was looking for a follow-up to his IR 300.<ref name=Fearnley/> The body was designed by [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at [[Gruppo Bertone|Bertone]], while Bizzarrini put his expertise in the mechanicals.<ref name=scm201312/>
Bizzarrini figured there would also be a demand for a race version of the Grifo and developed the A3/C (C for Corsa) with a dramatic, modified alloy body.<ref name=Fearnley/> He later dubbed it his “Improved GTO", as he designed the [[Ferrari 250 GTO|250 GTO]] when he had worked for Ferrari. In the Corsa, he moved the engine back about {{Convert|40|mm|abbr=on}}, making the A3/C a front, mid-engine car. To adjust the timing, mechanics had to remove a piece of the dashboard.<ref name=Fearnley/> Both the racing and road legal versions of the car were being built simultaneously. When leaving the factory, the Iso Grifo was originally fitted with [[Pirelli Cinturato]] 205VR15 tyres (CN72).
At the [[Turin Motor Show]] that same year, Bertone showed the Grifo A3/L prototype while Iso unveiled the unpainted competition version: the Iso Grifo A3/C.<ref name=Frankel>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/march-2016/84/power-without-glory|title=Power without glory|magazine=[[Motor Sport Magazine]]|page=84|issue=March 2016|author=Andrew Frankel|access-date=2020-01-07}}</ref> Both became successful in their own right, the road car receiving praise from the press, while the race car performed very well although it had been made on a much tighter budget compared to [[Ferrari]].<ref name=Frankel/> Rivolta also showed a prototype A3/L Spyder at the Geneva Motor Show.
==Grifo GL &ndash; Bizzarrini A3/C split==
Iso concentrated on getting the A3/L ready for production, focusing on some of the design changes that had to be made to the prototype. The car got a light face-lift that made it less aggressive in appearance. It was given a modified but reliable 5.4 litre [[Chevrolet small-block engine#327|Chevrolet small-block 327 V8 engine]]—having variable power outputs of {{convert|300-350|hp|kW|||}}—coupled to a [[Borg-Warner]] 4-speed manual transmission. The engines were completely ordered and manufactured in the [[United States]]; they were shipped to Italy, where they were taken apart before they were eventually installed in the cars. This was similar to the manufacturing process of the IR 300. With a weight of less than {{convert|2200|lb|abbr=on}}, the car was able to attain a top speed of over {{convert|275|km/h|mi/h|0|abbr=on}}.
In 1964, the prototype A3/C raced at [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]] (driven by Edgar Berney and Pierre Noblet), running well until brake problems required a two-hour [[pit stop]].<ref name=Frankel/> The car resumed the race, finally finishing 14th. In 1965, the car performed better, finishing 9th at Le Mans.<ref name=Frankel/>
The production of the Iso Grifo GL started in 1965, but the Bizzarrini and Rivolta partnership quickly fell apart over the use of the name Grifo. This resulted in separate production of the Grifo GL and the competition Bizzarrini A3/C.<ref name=Frankel/><ref name=LM>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1995/60/captain-scarlet|title=Captain Scarlet|magazine=[[Motor Sport Magazine]]|page=60|issue=December 1995|author=L M|access-date=2020-01-07}}</ref> The Grifo GL was produced at Bresso, while the A3/C was produced at Piero Drogo’s Sports Cars of [[Modena]], under Bizzarrini's strict supervision. Bizzarrini refined his A3/C, eventually developing his line of models.<ref name=Frankel/><ref name=LM/> Only 22 examples of the Grifo A3/C were made before Rivolta and Bizzarrini split.
==Model year changes==
[[File:1960 ISO Grifo 7 Litre Can Am (42518967795).jpg|thumb|Iso Grifo Can Am Series I]]
In October 1966, the first Grifo (car #97) with a [[Targa top|targa]] top was shown at the Turin Motor Show. Designed by Bertone and featuring the stunning removable roof, the reliable 300&nbsp;hp Chevy 327 V8, and the coveted ZF 5 speed transmission. Only fourteen Series I Targas and four series II Targas were built.<ref name="Gulett" />
In 1968 the Grifo 7 Litri was introduced, featuring a Chevrolet L71 big-block engine, a Tri-Power version of the [[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#427|427 engine]]. The massive power plant required several mechanical changes to the car in order to fit, i.e. strengthened chassis components as well as an enlarged engine compartment with reinforced mounts. A large hood scoop (dubbed "Penthouse" due to its size) was added to clear for the engine's deck height. It produced an officially advertised minimum of {{convert|435|hp|abbr=on}} at 5,800 rpm. The factory claimed the 7 Litri could attain a top speed of {{convert|300|km/h|mi/h|0|abbr=on}}.
In 1970, a styling change was made to the nose section of the car for the Grifo Series II. It was given a sleeker look and hide-away headlights. In the IR-9 "Can Am" version, the engine was switched from the 427 engines to the newer, even more powerful Chevrolet 454 7.4 litre engine.[[File:Iso grifo can am.jpg|thumb|Iso Grifo Can Am with the characteristic 7-litre engine "penthouse" on the hood and Grifo Series II hide-away headlights]]
In 1972, the Grifo IR-8 was introduced, using a small-block Ford Boss 351 engines. These models can be recognized by their taller hood scoop. This was the final Iso automobile made, as Iso S.P.A. closed its doors in 1974 during the 1970s oil crisis.<ref name=buckleyrees/>
==Production==
In total, 330 Series I and 83 Series II cars were built for a total of 413 cars, 90 of which were 7-litre versions. The rarest are the Series II 5-speeds (23 built) and the Series II Targa (4 built). Due to their rarity today, Grifos are desirable collectibles. A former employee of Iso, Roberto Negri, runs a small company in [[Clusone]], Italy, specializing in maintaining and restoring Grifos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isomillennium.it/index_news_ING.htm|title=Iso Website|website=Iso Website}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Bizzarrini Strada]]
* [[Ferrari 250 GTO]]
* [[De Tomaso Mangusta]]
* [[Ferrari Daytona]]
* [[Lamborghini Miura]]
* [[Maserati Ghibli]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Sources==
* Automobil Revue, catalog numbers 1963 through 1974
* Winston Goodfellow: ''Iso Rivolta, The Man, The Machines''. Motorbooks International 2001. {{ISBN|88-7911-268-6}}.
* {{Cite book|title=The World Encyclopedia of Cars|first1=Martin |last1=Buckley |first2=Chris |last2=Rees |publisher=Hermes House |year=1998 |pages=154–155 |isbn=978-1-84038-083-5}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Iso Grifo}}
* http://www.isorestorations.com/
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9578VD0R1bU The Red Grifo - Iso Grifo documentary short film]
[[Category:Iso vehicles|G]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:1970s cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1963]]
[[Category:Grand tourers]]