Iso Grifo

The Iso Grifo was a grand tourer manufactured by Italian automaker Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. between 1965 and 1974. Designed to compete with the likes of Ferrari and Maserati, it utilized a range of American powertrains and components from Chevrolet and Ford. The car's styling was the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone, while the mechanicals were handled by Giotto Bizzarrini. The first production GL models were introduced in 1965, powered by American Chevrolet small-block 327 (5.4-liter) V8 engines mated to Borg-Warner 4-speed manual transmissions. The 5.4-liter engine produced 300 horsepower (220 kW) in its standard form, allowing the car to reach a speed of 110 km/h (68 mph) in first gear. In 1970, the Grifo Series II was introduced, featuring updated styling and hide-away headlights, along with big-block Chevrolet 454 V8 (7.4-liter) engines. This was later replaced by the Grifo IR-8, which used a small-block Ford Boss 351 engine (5.8-liter) as its powertrain. Unfortunately, the manufacturer went bankrupt in 1974, and the Grifo became the last new Iso of any kind. Several factors led to the bankruptcy, including the 1973 oil crisis, which reduced demand for cars with large displacement engines.

The Iso Grifo is a limited production grand tourer manufactured by Italian automobile manufacturer Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. between 1965 and 1974. Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. was founded by Renzo Rivolta in 1939 and primarily produced refrigeration units and motorcycles before transitioning to automobile production in the 1950s. The company's name was inspired by the Isothermos refrigeration units it originally produced. Intended to compete with Grand Touring offerings from Ferrari and Maserati, the Iso Grifo used a series of American power trains and components supplied by Chevrolet and Ford. The styling was done by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone, while the mechanicals were the work of Giotto Bizzarrini. The Iso Grifo was produced in several series with various engines. The first production GL models appeared in 1965 and were powered by American Chevrolet small-block 327 (5.4-litre) V8 engines fitted to American supplied Borg-Warner 4-speed manual transmissions. The 5.4-litre engine was rated at 300 hp (220 kW) in its standard form and allowed the car to attain a speed of 110 km/h (68 mph) in first gear. In 1970, the Grifo Series II was introduced, with sleeker styling and hide-away headlights and powered by big-block Chevrolet 454 V8 (7.4-litre) engines. It was replaced in 1972 with the Grifo IR-8, which used a small-block Ford Boss 351 engine (5.8-litre) as its power-train.Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. went bankrupt in 1974 due to a number of causes, including the 1973 oil crisis, which significantly reduced demand for cars with large displacement engines. The Iso Grifo was the last new Iso of any type, and the company shut down and ceased all operations permanently in 1974. Despite the company's relatively short lifespan, the Iso Grifo has since become a highly sought-after classic car, known for its stylish design and powerful engines.