VIN: the William McLaughlin Iso Grifo A3/C Corsa chassis B-0202
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HISTORY OF CHASSIS B-0202
Chassis B-0202 was the first true A3/C built to Corsa trim. It was ordered by East Coast dealer and racing driver, Ed Hugus, who had placed an option on the car after the Grifo’s debut at Turin in late ‘63. Hugus in turn sold B-0202 to William McLaughlin Jr. of Ohio.
McLaughlin purchased the Iso to replace a Corvette Sting Ray that he had raced a few times during 1963.
B-0202 made the A3/C’s competition debut when it appeared at the Sebring 12 Hours on March 21st 1964. Hugus and McLaughlin were joined in the car by Enus Wilson.
Having arrived in Florida wearing a handsome white colour scheme with a thin blue centre stripe, B-0202 was further accessorised with blue and red stripes to the right-hand front fender during practice.
As Campagnolo’s cast alloy wheels had not been sufficiently tested, B-0202 ran on wire wheels at Sebring. It would contest over three-litre Prototype class alongside a quintet of Ferrari P cars, three Corvette Grand Sports, a works seven-litre Cobra and the Mecom Racing Team’s Lola’s Mk6 GT.
1964 was the first time that grid slots had been decided on practice times at Sebring. B-0202 lined up 29th out of 66 starters.
By the first round of pit stops, the Iso had dropped to 32nd position. Unfortunately, its transmission then blew during the fourth hour which ruled out any chance of a fairytale debut. Nevertheless, a new gearbox was fitted in the pits and B-0202 rejoined the race ten minutes from the end.
Hugus, McLaughlin and Wilson were ultimately classified 39th overall and seventh in the over three-litre Prototype class.
Despite the disappointment of Sebring, William McLaughlin went on to have a good season with his A3/C; thanks most notably to a pair of class wins at Mid-America, he claimed the 1964 SCCA C Modified Midwestern championship.
After McLaughlin’s time with the car, B-0202 passed through several more US owners.
By the early 1970s it was in the hands of Jam Lattin of California who in turn sold it to Gary Ford of Chicago in 1972. In 1975, B-0202 joined the collection of Mark Boen in California who retained it until 1991. At this point the car returned to Europe and was restored.
Notable History
Sold via Ed Hugus to William McLaughlin, Ohio
White with Blue stripes
21/03/1964 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (E. Wilson / W. McLaughlin / E. Hugus) 39th oa, 7th P3.0+ class (#5) 07/06/1964 SCA Regional Mid-America (W. McLaughlin) 2nd oa, 1st CM class (#??)
13/09/1964 SCA Regional Green Valley (W. McLaughlin) DNF spun out (#??)
20/09/1964 SCA Divisional Mid-America (W. McLaughlin) 5th oa, 1st CM class (#??)
Later sold to Jim Lattin, California
1972 sold to Gary Ford, Chicago
1975 sold via Edmund Osborne, Ohio to Mark Boen, California
Retained until 1991
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: The Henry Ford Museum - https://www.thehenryford.org/
