‘You’ve got Giugiaro’s design, Bizzarrini’s engineering, and a Chevy V8 under the bonnet. That’s like putting a Stradivarius in the hands of Slash.’
Some cars are fast. Some are beautiful. And then there’s the Iso Grifo – a car that makes Ferraris look common and Maserati’s feel slow.
The brainchild of Giotto Bizzarrini and Renzo Rivolta, this Italian-American hybrid was as powerful as a muscle car and as elegant as a Milanese tailor’s finest suit.
Only 35 were ever built. Each has a story to tell… Here’s one.
• The Birth of an Icon (1963-1965)
Giotto Bizzarrini, an ex-Ferrari engineer, partnered with Renzo Rivolta, a former fridge manufacturer.
Their Iso Rivolta GT was successful, but they wanted something faster and rarer.
Giorgetto Giugiaro designs the Iso Grifo GL, debuting in 1965 with a Chevrolet V8.
• A Rare Breed (1965-1974)
Just 35 cars were built, including a few A3/C race cars.
Later models boast a 7-litre V8, 186mph top speed, and pop-up headlights.
• A Modern Classic (2000s-Present)
A once-silver Grifo, now deep metallic blue, gets an Italian restoration.
Modern upgrades—air conditioning, power steering—enhance its usability.
It dazzles at Pebble Beach and Concorso Italiano.
• A Legacy on Show
The Iso Grifo remains a mythic rarity.
It’s a Ferrari beater, a Maserati slayer—an automotive legend.
This blend of beauty, power, and exclusivity makes the Iso Grifo a masterpiece.
What a machine.
‘A Ferrari will get you admiration. A Maserati will get you nods of approval. An Iso Grifo will get you approached by rich men in loafers asking if you’d like to swap it for a villa in Lake Como.’
