Iso Rivolta was an Italian manufacturer of sports cars, small cars, and motorcycles. The company was based in Bresso, Italy, and is best known for producing two iconic vehicles - the two-seat scootermobile, Iso Isetta, and the high-performance sports car, Iso Grifo.
History
Isothermos, which would later become Iso Rivolta, was founded in Italy in 1939 as a manufacturer of cooling systems. After the Second World War, the company produced motorcycles and scooters, including the Isomoto 125 and Isoscooter 125. Renzo Rivolta developed the Isetta microcar, which was manufactured under license by various companies in several states. The most successful was the German BMW Isetta, which sold over 130,000 units by 1962. Rivolta then collaborated with Giotto Bizzarrini, Giorgetto Giugiaro, and Bertone to create the Iso Rivolta 300, an elegant Gran Turismo with a 5.4-liter V8 engine from Chevrolet. From 1964, the sports car was created using similar technology, the Iso Grifo, which offered better driving performance.
Piero Rivolta became head of the company in 1966 after the sudden death of his father, Renzo. Under him, the Iso Fidia limousine, the Iso Grifo with a 7 or 7.4-liter Corvette engine, and the 2+2 coupé Iso Lele were created. In 1972, the company faced economic troubles due to a thin capital base, a broad model range for a small series manufacturer, and the effects of the oil crisis. Piero Rivolta was unable to free the company from these issues, and in June 1973, Iso was sold to Italian businessman Ivo Pera, who renamed it "Iso Industries Corporation." However, just a year later, in the summer of 1974, Iso became insolvent and liquidated.
