by Mike –
This 1972 Iso Grifo 7-Liter is for sale at the upcoming RM auction at Amelia Island in March 2014. RM lists it as chassis no. 250223 – other details have yet to be published.
This car is well known in the Iso world and is one of the most beautiful Iso Grifos I have ever seen. The photos here are my photos from The Quail, A Motor Sport Gathering in Carmel, California in August 2012.
However, as beautiful as it is, it is not an original 7-Liter, not an original series 1 Grifo and is not really chassis no. 250223.
Iso expert Gerd Eckstein explains the history on the Varedo chat site,
This Grifo was originally #413, a closed headlight version (series 2), Ford engine, ZF 5-speed, Campagnolo series 2 wheels. This Grifo was not finished by Iso but was in the factory when the company shut down.
It was built and finished by Ennezeta in 1977-78 in Italy with black painted metal bumpers, unique dash, interior and trunk.
In 1987 Roberto Negri (Ennezeta) sold this car to Salvatore Diomante in Turin, Italy.
Diomante removed the entire front end and gave it back to Roberto Negri. He then changed the appearance of the car to an open headlight Grifo version (series 1). Backwards from the windshield the car remained the #413 version.
It is easy to recognize by the chrome frames around the side windows and the fixed side wing windows, exactly like the ones in the very late Grifo versions. Diomante also changed the chassis into a Chevy version and exchanged the Ford engine for a 7-Liter Chevrolet.
The car was restored and now has a Rivolta GT like hood scoop and Miura-type sill-cover scoops and a Diomante designed but non-original interior.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Hi Iso guys,
I was there at the auction and I think in comparison with the ( fiat)Dino which was sold to the guy next to me for $570 000,- + auction fee ?! The Grifo is a bargain .
That is, compared to the Dino, buying a Grifo with roughly a difference of 180 k $ in the glove compartment :-))
The car looks really fantastic , with the 6 spd 7 liter will drive great for sure !
Hopefully a happy new owner who can enjoy his fully restored car , and we all know what that costs …..
I bought my Grifo chassis 411 when I was 19 years old for roughly 15 thousand dollar , that was the time that those cars including other exotics were still chopped op for parts.
Most of the people around me then said beautiful car but American engine …bwehh …
And that general idea is only started to change a couple of years ago .
I traded by ennezeta that time an original 351 Cleveland I had to put in this ( auction) car for an new old stock 7 litri bonnet which is now used on one of my other Grifos …
And that was because there (we) were enthusiastic people with not much money to spend.
But that was more as 30 years ago and times finally changed !
I love the sills which Diamante made for this auctioned car ( which were used on the original prototype) and I will definitely ask him to make a pair for me as well !
The hood is also looking very good with the air intake and easy to convert back .
Lets all be happy that those cars finally get the recognition ,and so do we now !
Trough the years a Lot of those cars did not made it until now and where butchered or scrapped ..
So lets treasure the ones still around including the personalized ones !
Greetings to you all
A happy car collector