The Iso Rivolta GT – A Big, Bold Step

by Mike Gulett –

My friend, Bruce Caron, suggested I profile the Iso Rivolta GT here and since I am a former owner and he is a long time owner I agreed it was a good idea.

The Iso Rivolta GT, introduced in 1962 by Italian manufacturer Iso Automotoveicoli S.p.A., represents one of the most important examples of Italian design plus American muscle in automotive history. Its creation marked a bold step for a company better known at the time for refrigerators and bubble cars (the Isetta), and its legacy is tied to three legendary names: Renzo Rivolta, the industrialist founder, Giotto Bizzarrini, the genius engineer behind some of Italy’s most iconic performance cars and Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone (probably the greatest car stylists of all time).

I owned an Iso Rivolta GT a few years ago and was very impressed with the engineering, styling and quality. They are sought after collector cars, unfortunately many were not cared for properly over the years and so they may need some refurbishment by a new owner.

From Refrigerators to Grand Touring

Founded in the 1930s, Iso started as a manufacturer of refrigerators and scooters, but gained notice in the 1950s with the Iso Isetta, a microcar that was licensed to BMW and a few other manufacturers, helping to revive BMW. However, Renzo Rivolta had grander ambitions—he wanted to move beyond economy transportation and into the realm of performance and luxury.

To realize this vision, Rivolta hired Giotto Bizzarrini, a former Ferrari engineer who had been instrumental in the development of the Ferrari 250 GTO. Alongside designers like Giorgetto Giugiaro (then at Bertone), they set out to create a grand touring car that could challenge the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, and Aston Martin—offering comparable style and speed with greater reliability and ease of ownership (meaning lower cost).

The Iso Rivolta GT (1962–1970)

Unveiled at the 1962 Turin Auto Show, the Iso Rivolta GT was a revelation. It featured:

Italian design by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone: a crisp, elegant 2+2 coupe body with restrained yet athletic proportions.

A robust American powerplant: the 327-cubic inch Chevrolet Corvette V8, offering between 300–340 horsepower.

Chassis engineering by Bizzarrini and Iso engineers: a steel platform with independent front suspension, De Dion rear axle, and disc brakes on all four corners (inboard at the rear) – rare for the time.

The combination was brilliant. The car could reach speeds of 140+ mph while delivering smooth, effortless performance, and its Detroit-sourced engine made it far easier and cheaper to maintain than a Ferrari or Maserati. Inside, it featured a luxurious interior tailored for high-speed touring across Europe.

Gordon-Keeble

The Iso Rivolta developers were clearly influenced by the Gordon-Keeble, also styled by Giugiaro.

The Gordon-Keeble—a short-lived British GT car produced between 1964 and 1967—occupies a small but meaningful place in automotive history, particularly as a kindred spirit to the Iso Rivolta GT. Though only about 100 cars were built, the Gordon-Keeble embodied a transnational design philosophy similar to Iso’s and even shared key mechanical DNA (like the Corvette engine). Its influence lies not in volume or motorsport success, but in how it exemplified a bold and emerging formula of the 1960s: European style and engineering paired with reliable American V8 power.

Impact and Evolution

Though production numbers were modest (about 799 examples built), the Iso Rivolta GT established the template for future Iso vehicles. It led directly to the Iso Grifo. The Grifo used the same formula but with more aggressive bodywork and even more power.

The Rivolta GT also helped define a niche genre that would gain popularity in the 1960s and ’70s: Italian-American hybrids, combining exotic design and handling with powerful, affordable American engines. Other cars in this vein would include the De Tomaso Mangusta and Pantera, the Intermeccanica Italia, and Bizzarrini’s own GT 5300 Strada.

Legacy

Today, the Iso Rivolta GT is seen as a connoisseur’s classic—not as flashy or widely known as its Italian rivals, but admired by enthusiasts who understand its blend of engineering pedigree, styling, and practical performance. Its historical significance includes:

Launching Iso into the GT world, laying the foundation for the Grifo, Lele and Fidia.

Helping share the idea that combining Italian chassis and American V8s could yield world-class results.

Being part of Giotto Bizzarrini’s engineering legacy, a crucial stepping stone between Ferrari and his own Bizzarrini brand.

Though Iso ceased production in the 1970s, its spirit has endured. In recent years, the Iso Rivolta name has seen attempts at revival, including a modern Iso Rivolta GTZ introduced by Zagato in 2020—paying homage to the original’s proportions and performance philosophy.

In sum, the Iso Rivolta GT was not merely a car but a statement: that Italy could challenge the best of the GT world with a daring formula that fused elegance, speed, and practicality.

The Iso Rivolta GT may be one of the most under appreciated icons of the golden age of grand touring.

Let us know what you think in the Comments.

 

Research and some text by ChatGPT 40. Images compliments of Iso and Bertone.