by Mike Gulett –
Writing about the Iso Grifo Spider recently got me to thinking about my two former Grifos. One was red (serial no. 157) and one was blue (serial no. 101). They both were terrific cars in different ways. The red one had a 383 cid stroker engine that probably produced over 400 hp because it also had Edelbrock speed equipment added on. It sounded like, and ran like, an American muscle car.
The blue one had been restored to stock (or close to it) in Clusone, Italy by Roberto Negri and was a pristine show car. It won a class award at the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance in 2015.
The Iso Grifo is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed, it ranks up there with any post-war car design. It was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone at the time. He also styled the Iso Rivolta GT, the Bizzarrini GT 5300 and many other cars and is probably the most prolific car stylist in automotive history. He formed his own company, Italdesign Giugiaro, in the late 1960’s, which he sold to Volkswagen in 2010.
1968 Iso Grifo
1966 Iso Grifo
In the early 1960s Iso produced many great car models; they introduced the Rivolta GT, the Grifo A3/L, which is close to the Grifo GL shown here in style, and the Grifo A3/C, which eventually became the Bizzarrini GT 5300, all within the span of just a few years. All were powered by Chevrolet Corvette engines and are fast, fun to drive and reliable.
The demand for Grifos has been known to lead the supply because car lovers are realizing what a great car the Iso Grifo really is, with a timeless design and plenty of power that is easy to maintain. It is a comfortable car to drive and to ride in – my wife loved the red Grifo. Do not discount this as an important factor!
After so many miles of driving my two Grifos, I know why so many car lovers are after these classics. I have fielded many questions over the years about Iso Grifos from car collectors who are either thinking about getting one or who are actively engaged in a search.
In this short video below I go for a drive. Turn up the sound or put on headphones and put it on full screen.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Iso Grifo No. 157 and Mike Gulett at the San Francisco Presidio – Summer of 2011
Iso Grifo No. 101 on the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance podium – July 2015
Mike
Both your Grifos look lovely. I have followed #101 remotely from the UK, and it was part of the inspiration for the restoration of my Grifo #49/D. I think Mrs Gulett has impeccable taste.
Minnie
Could not agree more. Spot on Mike.
Buddy Pepp
Having written an article on the design of the Grifo for this website and having loved them for most of my adult life, I finally had the pleasure to make a 1:24 scale model of this fantastic car, which is available in ltd production release here –
https://www.automodello.com/1969-Iso-Grifo-Encomium-Edition-Orange-1-24-p/24i014.htm
There are four colors to choose from. It took years to scale and detail it accurately but I think we did it justice.
Raffi,
The photos of the model look great. Here is one for all to see.