Iso Grifo

The Iso Grifo was produced in limited numbers by Italian company Iso Autoveicoli between 1965 and 1974. Iso's lead engineer Giotto Bizarrini was famous for conceiving the Ferrari 250 GTO and Lamborghini's first V12. Grifo bodywork was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro whilst at the famous Bertone styling studio. Intended to compete with other Italian GTs by the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, the Grifo used a series of American engine-transmission combinations. initially powered by Chevrolet and and later Ford, the big, reliable American V8s ensured both performance and reliability. The first production GL model was introduced in 1965 and powered by a stock Chevrolet 327 small block V8 as offered in the Corvette Stingray.

In 1968 the Grifo 7 Litri was introduced, featuring a Chevrolet L71 big-block engine - a Tri-Power version of the 427 with 3 dual throat Holley carbs. The massive power plant required a strengthened chassis and enlarged engine compartment with reinforced mounts. A larger hood was added to clear the engine's deck height. The L71 427 produced an officially advertised minimum of 435 hp (324 kW) at 5800 rpm, which was a somewhat conservative rating given the engine's well-known and proven performance potential. The factory claimed it could reach a top speed of 186 mph (300kph)

Iso moved to Ford power by 1973 due to new GM regulations making it more difficult to purchase running gear. With a high performance 351 V8 the Iso suffered little in the way of performance but could not escape the fuel crisis of 1973. Big, fuel guzzling GT cars were no longer such a saleable proposition. Sadly, Iso closed it’s doors in 1974 after some 400 Grifos had been manufactured.