42 replies to this topic

[GlenWatkins]

I went into town today to get my weekly shopping done, and saw this car.  Does anybody know the history of the company or car?

 

 

 

 

 

[PlatenGlass]

It seems that Iso is the make:
https://en.wikipedia...so_(automobile) https://en.wikipedia..._Rivolta_IR_300

[Risil]

This thread might have better luck in TNF...

[Tim Murray]

Chuck Schwager has quite a car collection, or did in 2015 when this article was written:

https://theautoblond...n-wolfeboro-nh/

Here’s the Iso, captioned as a 1970 Grifo Series 1:

[Zoe]

I once owned one!

 

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...unfortunately only as Matchbox version when I was a kid

[E1pix]

I very much remember this car, particularly its lovely nose.

[D-Type]

There's quite a bit of information in Wikipedia under Iso Rivolta, Iso Grifo, etc
https://en.wikipedia.../wiki/Iso_Grifo

[sabrejet]

Had one as a Dinky toy and have had a soft spot since (back when we didn't know any better and it was an "Isso Griffo"). Would still like a Fidia or an IR 300. Both as rare as hen's teeth in the UK sadly.

[ATM]

Pardon me while I drool a little bit over the photos.



There, I’m back. If the wiki page is correct, the production numbers were quite low - the series 1, such as this one, was made in 322 units. Lucky thing spotting one of these.

[Allan Lupton]

. . . and don't forget the Isetta

[TennisUK]

One was recently given a bare metal restoration about 2 miles from my houses. There is plenty on Google - a very interesting brand.

[arttidesco]

 

Ex Ferrari man Giotto Bizzarini designed the original 1964 Grifo in Lusso and Drogo bodied Competition form, but he parted ways with ISO Rivolta and built the almost identical, to the Grifo A3C, Bizzarini 5300GT, Tim Harvey is seen above in Roger Wills 5300GT above.

 

 

The company history included becoming the second Italian sports car manufacturer to get involved with Williams, albeit only as a sponsor, for the 1973 and 1974 seasons when his cars were known as ISO Malboro's. ISO Marlboro IR03 / FW03 above.

Edited by arttidesco, 04 July 2020 - 06:33.

[Ian G]

I very much remember this car, particularly its lovely nose.

 

Surprisingly there were several running around Australia,well Sydney at least,in the 1970's,the 3 or 4 i saw were RHD so not sure if it was Factory or privately converted.

Nice reliable car with the Chev. Engine so long as you did not hit anything.

[E1pix]

Nice reliable car with the Chev. Engine so long as you did not hit anything.

Therein lies the challenge.   

[Terry Walker]

I owned an ISO when I was 18, as a university student. I didn't get a photo of it unfortunately, but here's a magazine pic of the same model:

 

 

Sad, i know. An Iso 150cc scooter. Same company, but not as powerful. I did my motorcycle test on it, and because the then rules said a 150 was a "big" bike, I got a full licence, good for anything up to and including the Munch Mammoth (remember that?"

Edited by Terry Walker, 04 July 2020 - 03:40.

[Lee Nicolle]

There was various Iso's around, Made in Italy and Chev  power and transmission.

This one is the Sports Car, there was also a more sedan based one.

There was  a mid 60s one racing in GpN historics here in Oz 20 odd years ago. It was never very succesfull though it should have been. Driver was probably the issue.

[john aston]

I never saw  a Grifo until recently, at the Silverstone Classic but it didn't disappoint. I did see a Rivolta IR 300 at Rufforth though, in about 1973 . I can't recall whether it was competing , or being used as course car . But I bet Chris Meek owned it   

Edited by john aston, 04 July 2020 - 06:26.

[arttidesco]

Some more ISO Rivolta's from my photo library ..

 

 

ISO Rivolta IR 300 1964 - 1970

 

 

 

 there was also a more sedan based one.

 

 

John Lennon liked the ISO Rivolta Fidia so much he had three, including the one above the second built, each more expensive than a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.

 

Variations on the GT Coupe included but were not limited to :-

 

 

67 435hp ISO Grifo Super 7 Litri Series 1

 

 

SB Chevy V8 powered Grifo Series II

 

 

BB Chevy V8 powered Grifo Can Am, photo courtesy Geoffrey Horton

 

 

Last new model was the Lele originally IR5 Chevy powered with the last IR6 variants like the one above being Ford Cleveland powered.

[Librules]

I can't speak for the Group N Rivolta mentioned by Lee,  but Chris Stephen was quite competitive in one in Group S in the late 90's,  against such drivers as Don Thallon and Mike Byrne.    He also won his class in the car in '97 at Targa Tasmania.  I think he eventually sold or retired the car due to its ever-increasing value and moved down-market to an XT Falcon.   Here's an Autopics shot of another (or the same car?) Rivolta at Amaroo in Barry Batagol's hands.    http://autopics.com....ta-amaroo-1986/

[ChrisJson]

 

 I did my motorcycle test on it, and because the then rules said a 150 was a "big" bike, I got a full licence, good for anything up to and including the Munch Mammoth (remember that?"

As a somewhat older swede I can ride the Münch Mammut without even ever sat on a motor cycle. Got what's called an AB licence automatically!

 

 

Christer

[D-Type]

. . . and don't forget the Isetta

To be fair, they did compete in the Mille Miglia - and finish.  

[BRG]

I did my motorcycle test on it, and because the then rules said a 150 was a "big" bike, I got a full licence

 

Likewise, although I did my test on a mere 125cc scooter (Lambretta Li125 Series 1).  Then I could immediately ride an Ariel Square Four apparently (not that I did or could have afforded one). 

 

The 'bike test back then was laughable.  As long as you rode round the block three or four times without falling off, and didn't knock the examiner over when he jumped out in front of you for the emergency stop and you knew what the studs in front of a zebra crossing meant, you passed.

 

But as always, it was only after passing your test that you really learnt how to ride , or to drive.

[68targa]

The engine was set so far back that the rear most plugs were pretty much under the dashboard - (that's in the Iso Grifo Bizzarini NOT  the Isseta !)

 

[Catalina Park]

I can't speak for the Group N Rivolta mentioned by Lee,  but Chris Stephen was quite competitive in one in Group S in the late 90's,  against such drivers as Don Thallon and Mike Byrne.    He also won his class in the car in '97 at Targa Tasmania.  I think he eventually sold or retired the car due to its ever-increasing value and moved down-market to an XT Falcon.   Here's an Autopics shot of another (or the same car?) Rivolta at Amaroo in Barry Batagol's hands.    http://autopics.com....ta-amaroo-1986/

That was the car that was raced in Group N for a while, it was driven by Barry Batagol and then by Laurie Donaher. 
The car was then relegated to Group S where it should have been from the begining.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Lee Nicolle
.....There was  a mid 60s one racing in GpN historics here in Oz 20 odd years ago. It was never very succesfull though it should have been. Driver was probably the issue.

The first driver, yes, he was a problem...

He had previously raced, if I have my memory cells all aligned properly, in a Holden sedan, an HK or similar, with a V8 engine. He wondered why it was kangaroo-hopping down the straight, the story goes.

Then he looked and saw that his leg was moving up and down with his nervousness.

He did better with the Iso, but still wasn't fast.

[Lola5000]

The first driver, yes, he was a problem...

He had previously raced, if I have my memory cells all aligned properly, in a Holden sedan, an HK or similar, with a V8 engine. He wondered why it was kangaroo-hopping down the straight, the story goes.

Then he looked and saw that his leg was moving up and down with his nervousness.

He did better with the Iso, but still wasn't fast.

Must a be a different driver/car Ray, Barry was quick but never up to speed with Mann,Leo,Jupp at the State series racing before the Iso he raced a BRG Jaguar Mark ll 3.8 .

 

There was a Iso Grifo that raced in VIC in group S with a cheat motor , Nascar block and the wrong period heads .Always crashing into others .One year at the Sandown historic I had pole position in the historic group S the Iso next to me,We both agreed to take it easy into turn one ....turn one and I'm hit in the door and turned around (shakes head) Following year twice it took the Porsche out including turn two forcing the Porsche down the grass to the old pits tunnel ....pure poor /dangerous driving .

[Lee Nicolle]

The first driver, yes, he was a problem...

He had previously raced, if I have my memory cells all aligned properly, in a Holden sedan, an HK or similar, with a V8 engine. He wondered why it was kangaroo-hopping down the straight, the story goes.

Then he looked and saw that his leg was moving up and down with his nervousness.

He did better with the Iso, but still wasn't fast.

I thought it was Barry Batagol, unsure of my memory. From memory quad sidedraft Webers. Looked fast but was slow. Ran poorly.

At least at Mallala in the 80s. 

[Lola5000]

I thought it was Barry Batagol, unsure of my memory. From memory quad sidedraft Webers. Looked fast but was slow. Ran poorly.

At least at Mallala in the 80s. 

Tony would be able to confirm if it was Barry .

[Ray Bell]

I'm talking about someone in Sydney...

 

And not Laurie Donaher. Like I said, he'd previously raced a Holden Kingswood V8.

[Lola5000]

I'm talking about someone in Sydney...

 

And not Laurie Donaher. Like I said, he'd previously raced a Holden Kingswood V8.

That would be the guy after Laurie ,who crashed it?

 

Tony wouldn't know him.

[Ray Bell]

After?

 

Or before all of them?

 

Or a different car. Mark Cortese was his name. A best of 2:25s at Warwick Farm one meeting, 2:11s the next. He came 27th in that race, the car was a 253-engined Kingswood.

[Lola5000]

After?

 

Or before all of them?

 

Or a different car. Mark Cortese was his name. A best of 2:25s at Warwick Farm one meeting, 2:11s the next. He came 27th in that race, the car was a 253-engined Kingswood.

Tony would be able to confirm Barry built the Iso and was its 1st driver ,racing mainly in Victoria.

[Ray Bell]

I have no idea, I've never seen it to my knowledge...

 

But I knew of that link between the Kingswood V8 and the Iso.

[Lola5000]

I have no idea, I've never seen it to my knowledge...

 

But I knew of that link between the Kingswood V8 and the Iso.

Same car 3rd owner .

 

Barry was unlucky in that at the time the Mustangs were in most cases stroked ,well put together and raced by some serious punters in Victoria .

[Pullman99]

There's a pretty good series on Iso Rivolta on You Tube.   It's called "The Iso Rivolta Chronicles" and was produced / uploaded there by "The Italian Garage"  Link below:

 

https://www.youtube....RjY0wjxm9mdK2Xs

[Lee Nicolle]

Same car 3rd owner .

 

Barry was unlucky in that at the time the Mustangs were in most cases stroked ,well put together and raced by some serious punters in Victoria .

As they were here in SA as well. Clems red Mustang was just under 3 1/4 stroke. That was as big as the Ford Motorsport crank would go.

Out walking one night and saw his [workshop] light on. He was working with a file to get the counterweights too fit in the block as well as  the custom Fraser rods. I left after midnight. Clems engines were midnight specials as it was the only time he could work without interruption.

These days you would just buy a 347 [3.4" stroke] crank.

That was a very strong engine until it was banned.

[Sterzo]

Exotic though these are, can't help classing the Revolter with cars whose names don't work in all languages, such as the Vauxhall No Va and the VW Toe Rag. (And Alfa plans to launch a Tonale, even though ARUK has warned HQ that in English...)

[sabrejet]

In my experience these cars were usually just 'Iso' ("eezo"), so the 'revolter' bit never cropped up. But the Alfa Toenail name will haunt that car-buncle as long as they are left on the road. People will still buy them because for some reason folks like big, very ugly Chelsea Tractors.

 

Meanwhile how about some more Iso/Bizzarrini photos ?

[D-Type]

Exotic though these are, can't help classing the Revolter with cars whose names don't work in all languages, such as the Vauxhall No Va and the VW Toe Rag. (And Alfa plans to launch a Tonale, even though ARUK has warned HQ that in English...)

Rolls Royce Silver Mist and Jack Brabham's MRD come to mind.  In a different category is the Colt Starion / Stallion, 

[Lola5000]

As they were here in SA as well. Clems red Mustang was just under 3 1/4 stroke. That was as big as the Ford Motorsport crank would go.

Out walking one night and saw his [workshop] light on. He was working with a file to get the counterweights too fit in the block as well as  the custom Fraser rods. I left after midnight. Clems engines were midnight specials as it was the only time he could work without interruption.

These days you would just buy a 347 [3.4" stroke] crank.

That was a very strong engine until it was banned.

They must have put out plenty of hp till the heads cried enough .They loved those Mexican blocks.

 

Ian Tate built up for me in 1997 on a SVO block with 2V 302 GT40 heads on Webers we got 500bhp and 400 pounds of torque ,I 'd say these early motors (stroked ones) would have had similar ?

[Bob Riebe]

I have the book on Iso and it is a good read.

The little econo box and the Rivolta put money in the bank but the Grifo is the best known , at least for gearheads born before 1970.

They also produced snowmobiles.

Edited by Bob Riebe, 11 July 2020 - 21:46.

[Lee Nicolle]

They must have put out plenty of hp till the heads cried enough .They loved those Mexican blocks.

 

Ian Tate built up for me in 1997 on a SVO block with 2V 302 GT40 heads on Webers we got 500bhp and 400 pounds of torque ,I 'd say these early motors (stroked ones) would have had similar ?

I doubt Clem ever dynoed those GpN engines. At one stage he had the two cars, the red one he drove himself that was factory RHD [which was an abortion of a set up] and the blue one driven by ex son in law John Cook. There was at least 3 engines between them. Big Sat night crowd at the workshop one meeting when the blue car broke a crank and took out the front of the engine.

His engines were as good as anybodies, and he built all his own for the Mustangs, And on a single Holley. The Charger and in the dim dark ages slant 6, grey motors and Hudson Terraplane race engines. I was a little boy for them!

 

The late blocks were ALL illegal, a Nb Mustang is supposed to use the 5 bolt bellhousing block used up to around mid 65.

I doubt any Ford Mustang, Compact Fairlane or Falcon Sprint has ever used one of those!! Clems were all late blocks.

Yet until recently EHs had to run HP blocks.  One rule for one make and another for the rest!

Edited by Lee Nicolle, 13 July 2020 - 08:35.

[Ray Bell]

Typical crazy logic put to the CAMS and accepted by them...

 

"Oh dear, Mr CAMS, we have hunted and hunted everywhere, even gone to dozens of wrecking yards in the US, there just doesn't seem to be a 260/289 block anywhere that hasn't been bored 30 thou oversize and then been worn out again. And these are all thin-wall blocks, Mr CAMS, and they can't be machined again to build a reliable race engine, sir."

 

And so the NASCAR blocks became legal.

 

But everyone knows that there's plenty of Holden blocks around and they're not so thin in the walls...