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Some of the greatest Italian GT cars have come from the most unusual beginnings, but it is difficult to beat the origins of Iso, born from a company that first manufactured household appliances—namely refrigerators—and later the Isetta microcar. Yet against all odds Iso built a truly marvelous driver’s machine, combining sleek Italian design by Nuccio Bertone with the unrestrained American power of a Corvette V-8. The Grifo was one of the world’s fastest production cars of its time, with a top speed upwards of 225 km/h.
This Grifo GL Series 1 is approximately the 140th example produced and was completed at the Iso factory on 14 April 1967 for delivery to Spain. It was originally specified with a 300-horsepower, 327-cubic-inch Chevrolet V-8 engine which drove the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and 2.88 ratio rear axle.
Accompanying registration documents (on file) show that Grifo number 140 was first registered for road use in Barcelona during February 1968 under the registration “B609607”, which it retains to the present. In December 1969, it was entered into the sixth edition of the Almeria Coast Rally by its original owner, Jorge Armandans, with navigator Victor Sabater. The pair finished a respectable 22nd in their class over the event’s three-day schedule.
In 1986, the noted coachbuilder Pedro Serra Vidal converted Grifo number 140 to the more desirable Series II nose configuration; historic photos show that the car was then refinished with White exterior paint.
Under the previous long-term ownership of a Barcelona-based collector of significant Italian sports cars, Grifo number 140 was comprehensively restored and modified to its current specifications, widened wing flares, a custom sports suspension setup with widened track, and centre-lock alloy wheels housing modern Wilwood brakes. Additionally, this handsome Grifo has been updated with a seriously improved 5.7-litre Chevrolet V-8 engine surmounted by a polished Moon intake fed by four twin-barrel Weber carburettors and a unique fuel distribution system, which also includes high-performance piping and an aluminium fuel tank.
With only 330 Series I examples produced, the Grifo was a sought-after gran turismo when new, and it remains so today thanks to its stellar pedigree which combines full-throated American performance and Italian panache.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mc24.
ISO GRIFO GL SERIES I 'CUSTOM' - €Auction
11th May 2024 - RM Sotheby's - Monaco
Estimate From: €260,000
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Monaco event, 10 - 11 May 2024.
€260,000 - €340,000 EUR
- The 140th of approximately 330 Series I examples produced
- Spanish-market car since new; driven in the 1969 Almeria Coast Rally VI
- Powered by a highly-modified, 5.7-litre Chevrolet “Hi-Po” V-8 engine and four-speed manual transmission
- Converted to Series II nose configuration in 1986 by noted Spanish coachbuilder, Pedro Serra Vidal; subsequently modified with widened wings, centre-lock wheels, and upgraded mechanicals
- Generously equipped with power brakes, power windows, air conditioning, OMP fire suppression system, custom exhaust, and Nardi steering wheel
Some of the greatest Italian GT cars have come from the most unusual beginnings, but it is difficult to beat the origins of Iso, born from a company that first manufactured household appliances—namely refrigerators—and later the Isetta microcar. Yet against all odds Iso built a truly marvelous driver’s machine, combining sleek Italian design by Nuccio Bertone with the unrestrained American power of a Corvette V-8. The Grifo was one of the world’s fastest production cars of its time, with a top speed upwards of 225 km/h.
This Grifo GL Series 1 is approximately the 140th example produced and was completed at the Iso factory on 14 April 1967 for delivery to Spain. It was originally specified with a 300-horsepower, 327-cubic-inch Chevrolet V-8 engine which drove the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and 2.88 ratio rear axle.
Accompanying registration documents (on file) show that Grifo number 140 was first registered for road use in Barcelona during February 1968 under the registration “B609607”, which it retains to the present. In December 1969, it was entered into the sixth edition of the Almeria Coast Rally by its original owner, Jorge Armandans, with navigator Victor Sabater. The pair finished a respectable 22nd in their class over the event’s three-day schedule.
In 1986, the noted coachbuilder Pedro Serra Vidal converted Grifo number 140 to the more desirable Series II nose configuration; historic photos show that the car was then refinished with White exterior paint.
Under the previous long-term ownership of a Barcelona-based collector of significant Italian sports cars, Grifo number 140 was comprehensively restored and modified to its current specifications, widened wing flares, a custom sports suspension setup with widened track, and centre-lock alloy wheels housing modern Wilwood brakes. Additionally, this handsome Grifo has been updated with a seriously improved 5.7-litre Chevrolet V-8 engine surmounted by a polished Moon intake fed by four twin-barrel Weber carburettors and a unique fuel distribution system, which also includes high-performance piping and an aluminium fuel tank.
With only 330 Series I examples produced, the Grifo was a sought-after gran turismo when new, and it remains so today thanks to its stellar pedigree which combines full-throated American performance and Italian panache.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mc24.
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RHD- RefCode: CC698D4C-E939-6F58-8243-3B4724A5A5C2
