by Mike –
I was up very early on Sunday morning (yesterday) and awoke to the sound of thunder – which is very unusual for California in mid-July. We need the rain badly but I prefer if it held off until Monday.
Waiting For Sunday
It is 5:00 AM and as I prepare for my drive to Hillsborough I continue to hear loud rolling thunder and see lightening. A storm is definitely on the way but I hope to be on the road ahead of it.
The Iso Grifo in the driveway ready to go
I was not able to get ahead of the monsoon – within minutes after I pulled out I was hit by a deluge that lasted for about 10-15 minutes. The good news is the Grifo is water tight and the windshield wipers work great. As I passed Monterey on Highway 1 the rain stopped and did not bother me again for the rest of the day.
Driving the Iso Grifo in a monsoon
The Hillsborough Concours D’Elegance was an excellent event that was well attended with about 200 cars on display. It was hot and humid but there was no rain. I spent a lot of time talking about the Iso Grifo.
I was parked next to a beautiful De Tomasso Mangusta owned by my friends Bud and Jan Millard. We were at the very beginning of the show field.
Iso Grifo and De Tomasso Mangusta in the morning
I spent a lot of time cleaning the Grifo before judging began – photo by David Word
The Judging
Iso Grifo being judged
The Iso Grifo Is Awarded First in Class
Driving to the stand
The De Tomaso Mangusta from inside the Iso Grifo
Iso Grifo on the podium
Overall it was a good day I was back home in Carmel at 6:00 PM. The round trip drive was about 240 miles (386 km).
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Below is the route I drove with the exception of a stop in Los Gatos to pick up Michael Menetto.
Some photos by Michael Menetto.
Hi Mike
Congratulations for 1st place
Mike: Would it kill you to include photos of non-Iso cars at Hillsborough? Most of us were not able to attend.
Ron,
I will publish more about Hillsborough in another post after I have recovered.
More photos are here: https://mycarquest.com/2015/07/more-photos-from-hillsborough.html
Thank you Manfred.
Mike:
Your gorgeous Grifo is encouraging me to get on with my Rivolta (320-007) restoration.
It appears to be one of the first, if not the first, to be imported into the US in 1993.
If you have, or anyone else, information regarding the history of 007 or parts for sale, let me know.
JW,
You have acquired a special Iso Rivolta (007 – the first delivered to the US) and I am sure there are many Iso owners who will help you with parts and information.
JW, you should join IBOC (Iso & Bizzarrini Owner’s Club, and the facebook Iso Rivolta Group. We can help!
Darren
Mike, congratulations on your first class win! The Grifo looks gorgeous!
Rob,
I hoped you would have been there. I look forward to seeing your AC Cobra again.
Congratulation, Mike!
I love this colour combination.
Special car for special men.
Adam,
Thank you. I know you Iso owners in Europe don’t think twice about a long drive even in the rain but here in California it is not common, especially the rain.
Mike, The drive appears to be well worth the trip in its self, especially in the Grifo. Congrats on your Grifo’s win. Did you receive the larger Strata image you requested? If not I will resend.
Robert,
Thank you, please resend the image.
Mike,
Congratulations not only on your win, which is fabulous and very well-deserved, but also on your drive! There’s nothing more rewarding than owning a gorgeous car such as your Grifo, and actually driving and experiencing it. What a wonderful thing to do!
So sorry about the rain, I know just how that feels. When I was driving home from the Biltmore Concours the heavens opened up and the car got drenched. The was at the very end of my 140 mile drive home!
Congrats again! Well done!
Darren
Darren,
You and Ken Phillips were my inspiration (because I have heard your stories for years) to take the long Grifo drive rather than a trailer and it was great!
Thanks, Mike!
I just drove the Grifo to The Elegance–a 1,000 mile, 16 hour round trip journey. Just fabulous in a Grifo!!!