by Mike Gulett –
It has been known for many years in the Iso community where the one and only Iso Grifo A3/L Spider was hiding. It had been hoarded away by a Mr. Rudi Klein, who also hoarded many other classic and rare cars. He stored the Grifo Spider in a warehouse in Southern California for a very long time.
Mr. Klein was reclusive and secretive and refused to sell this one-off prototype. He did, however, allow two Iso experts (Gerd Eckstein and Winston Goodfellow) to visit this special Iso and take some photos many years ago. Below is one photo taken that day.
Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Rotting In A Warehouse Somewhere in Southern California – photo by Winston Goodfellow
I have seen the Iso Grifo A3/L prototype coupe several times in person but I have never seen this Grifo Spider prototype in person. The coupe has been restored at least two times over the years and still looks like an amazing show car. The spider prototype has been neglected for decades, not restored, not even cared for properly and certainly not shared with the world of car lovers.
The Original Iso Grifo A3/L Spider – photo from the book ISORIVOLTA The Men, The Machines by Winston Goodfellow
The spider was crashed resulting in front end damage before Mr. Klein acquired it as evidenced by the photos below and the front end repair was not done correctly back to the original design. The prototype front end design is also different than the production Iso Grifo GL.
The original possibly in the showroom in Culver City wearing a luggage rack – photo from Wallace Wyss
When it was displayed in Culver City it lacked the center nose grille divider so looked Camaro-ish – photo from Wallace Wyss
I hope that the new owner appreciates the body design change (understanding the subtle difference between the prototypes and production Grifo GL), and restores the Grifo Spider to its original style, gets rid of that ugly luggage rack and paints it the original color.
It is sad to think that such a treasure was hidden away for so many years and allowed to deteriorate to the level we see in the recent auction photos.
This special one-off car is coming up for auction on Saturday, 26 October 2024 by RM Sotheby’s.
RM Sotheby’s writes,
* The only original Grifo convertible built; a one-off example
* A partner to the original Grifo A3/L prototype coupe, with subtly unique styling
* Exhibited when new on the European auto show circuit
* Acquired by Rudi Klein in 1980 from legendary enthusiast Greg Garrison
* Largely unseen within the collection for over four decades
* Ideal basis for restoration, with great concours potential
* Estimate – $700,000 – $1,000,000 USD – Offered Without Reserve
Auction photos by Patrick Ernzen ©2024 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Mike, hHile being an Iso, itwas a speculative build of a fabulous car by Bertone, and I believe needs to be returned to the state it was in when presented to the world at the Geneva Car show in March 1964. It is worth noting that it was red at the time of the Geneva show, as is documented in Style Auto issue 3 (spring, I think) 1964, and only later changed color.
What was the original color?
Red, like most show cars the color changed several times – but as I said above, in the publication Style Auto of spring ’64 the car was red.
And here is a period press photo
Peter,
Thank you for this information about the color. I could not tell the color from the b&w photos in the Goodfellow book.
This will be the ultimate Grifo and can’t wait to see it restored on the show circuit! Wish I had the $$$.
Guess they’ll leave the dust and dirt on it for the auction to add value to the barn find?
Here’s a nice detail from the 1964 Style Auto article.
I think this must be at the 1965 Geneva Show.
Rudy Klein.