VIN: the George Abecassis / Derek Wharton Iso Grifo A3/C Strada chassis B-0215/D
History of chassis B-0215/D
Chassis B-0215/D was the only right-hand drive Iso A3/C produced to Strada specification. Its steering configuration was reflected by the ‘D’ suffix VIN which denoted Destra (right in Italian).
B-0215/D was configured to Strada specification in Rosso with a Nero interior. It was supplied to George Abecassis, the proprietor of H.W. Motors in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (HWM).
In addition to having been the world’s oldest Aston Martin main dealer, HWM was also the UK distributor for Facel Vega. During the early 1950s, the company had produced an array of single seat racing cars and employed the likes of Stirling Moss and Peter Collins to drive.
Abecassis was a successful driver in his own right and most notably won his class at the 1950 Le Mans 24 Hours (driving for Aston Martin for whom he was employed as a works driver between 1950 and 1952).
Soon after B-0215/D arrived in the UK it was loaned to renowned motoring journalist Ronald Barker to drive at the British Drag Festival which took place at Blackbushe airfield on September 19th 1964. Barker set a best time of 12.91 seconds over the quarter mile sprint.
During its time as HWM’s demonstrator, Abecassis also loaned the bright red A3/C to Autocar magazine for a road test.
B-0215/D appeared in the January 22nd 1965 edition of the magazine wearing the trade plate 484 PA. Autocar ran the Iso on the street and also at Snetterton circuit: “It roared up to 160mph in both directions, no more, no less. At 150mph the rev counter showed 5600rpm and at 161 5950rpm. In second gear 6000rpm gives 82mph and in third 108. The ratios are excellent for fast road work so that overtaking is done in moments and feels unusually safe.”
HWM sold B-0215/D to Derek Wharton of Derby on March 2nd 1965. It was subsequently issued the Derby registration FCH 999C.
Wharton, who had raced a Lotus Elite in 1963, entered his Iso for a round of the Autosport GT Championship at Oulton Park on June 12th. Unfortunately, the A3/C retired as a result of an overheating engine.
Five weeks later, Wharton ran B-0215/D for the Dunboyne Trophy race at Leinster in Ireland. However, practice was shortened owing to a fatal accident and Wharton only managed one lap. He was then one of many retirements in the race and sold the Iso almost immediately afterwards.
An advert for the car appeared in the July 30th edition of Autosport magazine which read: “One of two such cars in Great Britain. Cost well over £6000 and now offered at £4995 with nominal mileage”. The dealership (Motorway Sales on Station Approach in Friargate, Derby) found a buyer in Gordon Unsworth.
B-0215/D then passed through the hands of John Lowndes and Cider magnate John Bulmer; at some point prior to 1971 the car had been re-registered on the Northampton plate GBD 442C. By 1972, the car had racked up a little over 31,000 miles.
In 1973 B-0215/D was sold to 1973 Steve Worbey who retained it until the year 2000.
Notable History
Rosso / Nero
Right-hand drive
Supplied to George Abecassis (H.W. Motors, Walton-on-Thames)
19/09/1964 IND British Drag Festival, Blackbushe (R. Barker) 12.91 seconds (#122)
22/01/1965 tested by Autocar
Registered FCH 999C
02/03/1965 sold to Derek Wharton
12/06/1965 ASP Oulton Park Autosport GT (D. Wharton) DNF (#146)
17/07/1965 IND Leinster Trophy, Dunboyne (D. Wharton) DNF (#??)
30/07/1965 offered for sale by Motorway Sales, Station Approach, Friargate, Derby
Sold to Gordon Unsworth, then John Lowndes, then John Bulmer.
1973 sold to Steve Worbey and retained until 2000.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
