by Mike Gulett –
It is not often you see an Iso Grifo up for auction and this year we have two coming up during Monterey Car Week, 2021.
One is a beautiful fully restored 1966 Iso Grifo GL Series I and the other is a 1969 Iso Grifo 7 Litri.
The pinnacle of the Iso GT car is the beautiful Grifo. More and more car lovers have recognized the Iso Grifo in recent years as a great GT that compares very favorably to period GTs from Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and all other GT manufacturers.
The combination of the vision of Renzo Rivolta, the engineering expertise of several key Iso employees like Pierluigi Raggi, the technical contributions of Giotto Bizzarrini (the engineer in charge of the development of the Ferrari 250 GTO) and the brilliant styling of Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone resulted in one of the most admired sports cars of the past fifty years. Nuccio Bertone also played a critical role in the creation of the Iso Grifo.
I am planning to preview in person both of these beauties.
1966 Iso Grifo GL Series I by Bertone
This Iso Grifo is at RM Sotheby’s.
RM Sotheby’s writes,
Chassis No. – GL 640067
Engine No. – 13936FO52ISG
One of only 413 [1] Iso Grifos built
Single-family ownership for the last 42 years
Beneficiary of a stunning restoration completed in 2021
327 cu. in. V-8 engine; four-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter
Beautiful Italian styling and muscular American performance
Estimate: $375,000 – $475,000 USD
1969 Iso Grifo 7 Litri
This Iso Grifo is at Gooding.
Gooding writes,
Chassis – 7L930.260
Engine – 1362
Car Highlights
Rare 427 CID with Four-Speed Gearbox and Air-Conditioning
Finished in Stunning Sera Blu with Cognac Leather Interior
Highly Desirable First-Series Example
Offered with Books, Tool Kit, and Jack
Documented by Factory Build Sheet
Technical Specs
427 CID OHV Chevrolet V-8 Engine
Single Rochester Carburetor
400 BHP at 5,200 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes, Rear Inboard
Front Independent Suspension with Coil Springs
Rear De Dion Axle with Coil Springs
Estimate: $550,000 – $650,000
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
[1] The number of Iso Grifos made has been a question for a long time and is complicated but 413 is certainly not the correct number. The last Grifo to leave the Iso factory was in 1974 and it carried chassis number 412. Chassis no. 413 was given to the one Grifo assembled after Iso shut down.
The best estimate is there were 402 Grifos made (or 403 if you count no. 413) with 10 being re-stamped by the factory with a later chassis number after they were refurbished by the factory. No. 413 has also been given a different number and is now stamped no. 223. And no. 412 was one of the factory re-stamped Grifos and originally had a different number. As I said it is a complicated story.
Photos compliments of RM Sotheby’s and Gooding.
Both very nice looking restorations. I look forward to seeing these cars in Monterey.
I suspect they both will sell above the minimum estimate as well.
Ive noticed that a lot of the estimates are much lower than previous years. I suspect the Auction houses see the writing on the wall (Bring a Trailer) and want to make sure everything sells.
Have you looked at the cars in person? The red one did not sell…..what do you guys think is the reason for it ?
The red GL was a no sale and the blue 7-Liter sold for $544,000.