Tag Archives: Iso Rivolta

Wife’s New Clothes – Iso Rivolta Lele IR6

Before designing the body for the 2+2 Lamborghini Jarama which I looked at a couple of weeks ago, Bertone’s Marchello Gandini was commissioned to design what was intended to be a one off 2+2 body for an ISO Rivolta IR300.

ISO Rivolta Lele IR6 Sport, Silverstone Classic

Piero Rivolta was so impressed with Gandini’s new design that he had the one off put into production lending his wife’s name to the new ISO Rivolta Lele which was launched in 1969 powered by a Chevrolet V8 tuned to either give 300hp or 350 hp.

ISO Rivolta Lele IR6 Sport, Silverstone Classic

In 1972 after General Motors demanded payment for it’s motors prior to shipping ISO Rivolta switched to using Ford Cleveland motors in it’s Grifo, Fidia and Lele models with the Ford powered Lele becoming the Lele IR6 with 325hp of which 130 were built from 1972 until ISO Rivolta went bankrupt in 1974. Around 20 Lele IR6 models with manual transmissions were built with their Cleveland motors tuned to give 360 hp and these were known as IR6 Sports.

ISO Rivolta Lele IR6 Sport, Silverstone Classic

In all 285 ISO Lele’s, of all types, are thought to have been built including 3 or possibly 4 cars commissioned by Philip Morris for ISO Marlboro F1 drivers Howden Ganley and Nanni Galli along with associated promotions.

Thanks for joining me on this “Wife’s New Clothes” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Brighton Speed Trials Under Threat of Permanent Cancellation !

In their infinite wisdom, Brighton & Hove City Council are seeking to ban the Brighton Speed Trials from 2014.

If you care about speed and or motorsport history, please sign this linked petition to save Brighton Speed Trials in 2014 and beyond.

It’s a faf to Register before signing, but relatively painless compared to loosing the event which has been run with few interruptions since 1905.

You do not need to be resident in Brighton or even the UK to sign.

Thanks and please spread the word through whatever social media you have at your disposal.

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Fastest Four Seats – ISO Rivolta Fidia

The ISO Rivolta Fidia was designed with a body by Giorgetto Giugiaro then still working for Ghia, to compete with the Maserati Quattroporte first seen in 1963, and was first shown to the public at in 1967 at the Frankfurt Motor Show where it carried the S4 name.

ISO Rivolta Fidia, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

By the time of the 1969 press launch in Athens the S4 had been renamed Fidia after the artist “Phidias” who was responsible for the friezes that decorated the Parthenon that Lord Elgin controversially sent to England in 1802.

ISO Rivolta Fidia, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

The choice of Athens for the press launch was not the wisest as the local petrol was not of sufficiently high octane to prevent “pinking” which where the peak of the combustion process no longer occurs at the optimum moment for the four-stroke cycle.

ISO Rivolta Fidia, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

At the time of the press launch, with the strap line “The Fastest Four Seats In The World” today’s featured car the second built and first with right hand drive, had already been built and delivered to it’s owner John Lennon for a price in excess of a comparable Rolls Royce.

ISO Rivolta Fidia, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Until General Motors demanded payment in advance of shipping the Fidia was powered by the 5.4 litre / 327 cui small block Chevrolet motor which gave the car an impressive rest to 60 mph time of 7 seconds.

ISO Rivolta Fidia, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

From 1973 on the Fidia was powered by Fords 5.8 litre / 352 cui V8 with either a 5 speed manual ZF transmission or Fords Cruise-o-matic automatic transmission.

ISO Rivolta Fidia, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Despite John Lennon buying three Fidia’s, with 192 built between 1967 and 1975 the Fidia never reached the production levels of the Quattroporte of which 776 had been built when production came to a stop in 1969.

Thanks for joining me on this “Fastest Four Seats” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at an Australian built Land Crab. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Bow Tie Or Oval – ISO Grifo Series 2

Today’s featured car, seen at Silverstone Classic a couple of years ago, is a 1972 ISO Grifo Series 2 with the half hooded head lights that were first seen in 1970.

Iso Grifo, Silverstone Classic

1972 saw the Grifo offered with a 7.4 litre / 454 cui Chevrolet V8 known as the CAN Am, newly introduced 5.8 litre / 351 cui Ford Boss V8 known as the IR8, or the 5.4 litre / 327 cui small block Chevrolet V8. The records lodged with the licensing authorities for this car and the absence of a large pagoda intake on the bonnet show that this car has a Bow Tie (Chevrolet) under the bonnet.

Iso Grifo, Silverstone Classic

I don’t recall seeing any other car with a vented fuel cap cover before. By 1972 the oil crisis was beginning to emerge with the price of fuel rocketing tough trading conditions for manufacturers of large motorcars began to set in.

Iso Grifo, Silverstone Classic

But as we shall see in the coming weeks that did not stop ISO Rivolta introducing two updated models during the course of the year in which the production of the ISO Grifo CAN Am was halted.

Iso Grifo, Silverstone Classic

I am reasonably certain the rear lights of all Grifo models were sourced from the ALFA Romeo Junior / GTV parts bin, if you know this for a fact please do not hesitate to chip in below.

Iso Grifo, Silverstone Classic

By all accounts the French sourced electric windows could be a little temperamental and the factory being aware of this thoughtfully provided a little crank which when inserted into small hole in the door panel would allow one to crank open or close the window as required. If only manufacturers were so thoughtful today !

Iso Grifo, Silverstone Classic

The with a Giotto Bizzarrini designed chassis and Marcello Gandini, working for Bertone, body the Series I Grifos are considered classics, the 78 Series II cars with the half hidden headlights are considered timeless.

Thanks for joining me on this “Bow Tie or Oval” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Morris Pickup. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Series 2 Pagoda – ISO Rivolta ISO Grifo CAN Am

In 1970 ISO Rivolta carried out a face lift of it’s ISO Grifo model, the most noticeable external difference between the Series II, seen in these photographs by Geoffrey Horton taken at last years Carmel by the Sea Concours on the Avenue, and the Series I being the pop up half cover over the headlights.

ISO Rivolta, Iso Grifo Can Am, Carmel Concours by the Sea

The face lift also saw the end of the 435 hp Super 7 Litri / 427 cui model which was replaced by the new CAN Am model powered by the 395 hp 7.4 litre / 454 cui Chevrolet big block.

ISO Rivolta, Iso Grifo Can Am, Carmel Concours by the Sea

Despite the increased aerodynamic efficiency the increased weight of the less powerful, yet larger, motor meant that the CAN Am’s top speed was ‘only’ 168 mph as against the 186 mph claimed for the Series 1 Super 7 Litri.

ISO Rivolta, Iso Grifo Can Am, Carmel Concours by the Sea

I believe today’s featured 1971 CAN Am is one of just 24 ISO Rivolta Iso Grifo CAN Am’s built between 1970 and 1972. Their beauty and connection with Bizzarini, designer of the fabled Ferrari 250 GTO, means that these cars are not going to leave a new owner with much by way of change from $400,000 dollars, indeed last year a partially restored example of a CAN Am was offered on e-bay for an eye watering buy it now price of $322,000 ! It is not known at the time of writing if the item sold.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing today’s photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “Series 2 Pagoda” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a 1953 Standard Pickup. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Bertone With A Hint Of Michelotti – ISO Rivolta IR

Welcome to the first December 2013 edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”. This months Sunday posts will feature five ISO Rivolta’s to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the first ISO Rivolta cars the first of which was the Isetta perhaps the best known examples of which were manufactured under licence by BMW.

ISO Rivolta IR, Auto Italia, Brooklands,

By the 1960’s Renzo Rivolta set his ambitions a little higher and decided to build a vehicle which would compete against the FIAT 2300 Coupé> Rivolta commissioned Bertone to design a body which would enclose independent front suspension, a de Dion rear axle and a Chevrolet Corvette V8 motor which over the years of production from 1962 to 1970 would produce between 300 – 350 hp.

ISO Rivolta IR, Auto Italia, Brooklands,

The recirculating ball steering required five turns lock to lock on the car which had a, large, turning circle of 12.5 m / 41ft. The car was fitted with a leather interior which included a standard floor mounted 4 speed manual gear stick.

 ISO Rivolta IR, Auto Italia, Brooklands,

The stylish IR touring car appears to owe a nod of inspiration to the three Vignale built Ferrari Coupes; 212 Inter, 375 America and 250 Europa who’s design was credited to Giovanni Michelotti.

Dependent on the engine tuning option the rest to 60 mph time for an IR, like the one seen here at Auto Italia Brooklands, was in the 8 second range with a top speed of over 140mph quoted for the most powerful models.

Thanks for joining me on this “Bertone With A Hint Of Michelotti” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a cute li’l pick up from France. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Christmas Came Early – Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Last weekend I joined my friends from the Bristol Pegasus Motor Club in the back of a Ford Transit and headed for the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham where the Classic Motor Show was in full swing.

Oldsmobile Curved Dash, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Amongst my favourites in the seven halls packed with cars was this 5hp single cylinder 1903 Oldsmobile Curved Dash a regular runner despite spending 50 years in the USA from 1950 to 2002 virtually unused.

Austin 1800 UTE, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Austin was a well known British manufacturer which got swallowed up in the British Motor Corporation empire, to meet demand for a pick up in the Antipodes the Australian BMC plant devised the Austin 1800 UTE (Australian for Pickup) based on the front wheel drive ‘Landcrab’ ADO 17 platform. This was the first time I had seen such a vehicle.

Aston Martin DBS V8 Ogle, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Bristol

The Aston Martin DBS V8 Ogle was a concept car commissioned by WD & HO Wills to promote the then new brand of Sotherby cancer sticks, it was first seen at the 1972 Geneva Motor Show. Among the many interesting features were an array of no less than 22 rear lights which included sequential lights for indicating, the number of brake lights showing varied according to the brake pressure applied. So far as I can discern this is one of three Wills ordered a second car in Red and White to promote it’s Embassy brand and a middle aged lady is reputed to have paid £30,000 for a third.

ISO Rivolta Fidia, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

John Lennon is known to have been a somewhat reluctant driver, but he knew what he liked in a car and that was summed up in the Iso Rivolta Fidia, the one above is the second of three that he purchased. This one is unusual because it has a Chevrolet V8 motor in place of the standard Ford V8.

Vauxhall Cavalier Sportshatch, Classic Motor Show, NEC,  Birmingham

In the late 1970’s and 1980’s Vauxhalls and Opels became increasingly similar above is a Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch which had much in common with the second generation Opel Manta. This particular one has body kit which makes it look even more like the Chevrolet Monza that inspired the design and a non standard turbocharged motor to improve it’s performance.

Anadol A8, Classic Motor Show, NEC,  Birmingham

News to me at the motor show was that Turkey had an indigenous motor industry not only building vehicles from knock down kits but having a manufacturer Anadol who made cars initially to a design by the same Ogle who designed The Sotherby Special. For 1981 Anadol felt confident enough with it’s own design capabilities to launch the Ford Kent powered A8 model. Only 1013 were built when the plug was pulled in 1984. This one was driven over 5000 reliable miles to the UK from Turkey.

Daimler DS420, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Bristol

Sadly the Daimler DS420 limousine launched in 1968 was mostly made up of parts from the Jaguar parts bin including the XK engine. In fact the model was the last to be manufactured powered by the XK engine when production closed in 1992. The example seen here is from 1986/87.

Lamborghini 25th Anniversary Countach , Classic Motor Show,

Celebrating 50 years of Lamborghini production was Lamborghini Club UK who’s display included this 1988 Lamborghini 25th Anniversary Countach.

Ginetta G33, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

The Ginetta G33 continues to grow on me, ever since I saw one competing at Gurston Down earlier this year I have had a real yearning to try the model.

Bristol Fighter, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

The undisputed high light of the day for me however came when Bristol Owners Club member Mr Gibbs owner of this 210 mph Bristol Fighter, the last Bristol to be completed to date, invited me to try the drivers seat for size, wow !, what an experience at 6′ tall I do not fit comfortably in many cars, especially those with any kind of performance credibility but the Bristol fitted like a glove. After posting this blog next on my to do list is write a nice letter to a big chap with a white beared and a red and white outfit, Dear Santa …..

Thanks for joining me on this “Christmas Came Early” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at a Falcon Station Wagon. Don’t forget to come back now !

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On The Green – Niello Concours Serrano

Last week I had a look at some of the Ferraris and Porsche 911s marking the 50th Anniversary of the model at Niello Concours at Serano this week Karl Krause’s photographs show some of the other Marques that were represented.

Duesenberg Model A Coupé, Niello Concours Serrano

The Duesenberg Brothers were not the greatest businessmen, they had intended to manufacture 100 Model A Coupé’s, like the 1921 example above, a week instead of the 650 manufactured over six years from 1921 to 1927, but they were great engineers. The 100 hp Model A featured a straight 8 motor with over head cam shaft and four valves per cylinder, the Model A also featured hydraulic brakes on all four wheels while rivals like Rolls Royce were still selling customers vehicles of similar weight and performance with two wheel cable operated brakes.

Kurtis, Niello Concours Serrano

In 1948 Frank Kurtis showed up at the 1948 Indy 500 with a two seat customised 1941 Buick which ran not only an extreme streamlined body but also independent suspension on all four wheels. Public reaction to the vehicle was so encouraging Frank put the car, like the one above, into production, using many Ford components including a Ford V8 with Edelbrock heads, in 1949 one of which, was timed at over 142 mph at Bonneville.

Volkswagen Beetle, Niello Concours Serrano

Meanwhile crime fighting authorities in Germany were using stripped down Volkswagen Beetles like the one above in 1949.

Mercedes Benz W187 Cabriolet B, Niello Concours Serrano

In 1951 Mercedes Benz introduced it’s first post war six cylinder models including the W187 220, which was modeled on the W153 dating back to 1938. The curved windscreen on the example seen above indicates that this is a two door two seat 220 Cabriolet A manufactured between 1953 and 1955 when the W187 series cars were replaced by the ponton bodied W105/W180 series cars.

Chrysler 300 H, Niello Concours Serrano

By 1962 the Chrysler letter series were becoming a tough sell, only 435 Chrysler 300H coupés, like the one above, were built as the rest of the Chrysler 300 range could be ordered with many of the features that had been previously exclusive to the letter range.

Lotus 23B, Niello Concours Serrano

In 1962 over 130 Lotus 23’s, like the one above, were built that are known to have been entered in over 600 national and international events and recorded over 110 outright victories and a more than a further 130 class victories up to the Kyalami 9 hours in 1981. The history of this particular car is not known to me at the time of writing, if you know anything about it, please do not hesitate to chime in below.

Dual Ghia L.6.4, Niello Concours Serrano

Production of the original Dual Ghia ceased production in 1958 after each of the cars built lost money, in 1961 Eugene Casaroll started building an updated Dual Ghia L.6.4 model like the one above, with a 335 hp 6.4 litre / 383 cui Mopar sourced V8, however production came to halt for the same financial reasons in 1963.

Iso Griffo, Niello Concours Serrano

Like the Dual Ghia the Giotto Bizzarrini designed Iso Griffo, like the example seen above, first seen in 1963 used many proprietary parts though these were sourced from GM including the 400 hp blueprinted Chevrolet small block V8 of the type more commonly found in the Corvette.

Mosler MT 900

Exact numbers of Mosler MT900’s are hard to pin down but it seems safe to say the 2010 example above is one of less than 100 road & race versions built between 2001 and 2011.

Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster, Niello Concours Serrano

2013 marks the 50th Anniversary of the diversification of Lamborghini from agricultural machinery manufacture into road car manufacture, above is a Murciélago Roadsters at the time of writing I’m not sure of it’s age or exactly which of the Murciélago Roadster variants this is, I suspect the exhaust is a giveaway if you know the model please chip in below.

Jaguar XK 140 FHC SE MC, Niello Concours Serrano

Finally despite finishing first in class Geoffrey Horton missed out on getting a coveted SCCA ring with his Jaguar XK140 FHC SE MC which was restored from a rats nest 28 years ago. He will be sitting SCCA events next year but will continue attending non SCCA sanctioned events next year.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for this seasons many photographs he has shared from the California Concours d’Elegance scene and to Karl Krause for sharing today’s photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “On The Green” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at the first of a series of four US station wagons. Don’t forget to come back now !

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