VIN: the John Mecom Jr. Iso Grifo A3/C Strada chassis B-0203
Iso - Iso Grifo - Iso A3/C - Iso / Bizzarrini VINs - A3/C VINs - John Mecom
History of chassis B-0203
Chassis B-0203 was a Grifo A3/C Strada built in early March of 1964. It is believed to have been configured in metallic green with beige upholstery.
A few days after completion, B-0203 was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show. The car was then dispatched to Iso’s French distributor: MOA of 16 Avenue de la Grande Armee, Paris.
A couple of months later, MOA also took delivery of chassis B-0204 which had a number of cosmetic details in common with B-0203 such as the unusual fender vent treatment and elaborate sill trims.
Upon arrival in Paris, B-0203 was registered 3153 W 75.
During its time in MOA’s possession, the car was lent to British journalist, John Bolster, for a road test that appeared in the August 14th edition of Autosport magazine. Bolster wrote of B-0203:
“To drive the Grifo is a splendid experience. The engine of the test car was ideally tuned, being hot enough to need driving while retaining enormous torque in the middle ranges. In spite of the high gearing, tremendous wheelspin could be provoked on starting. The gear changes went through beautifully, and the very low drag of the body allowed the high speed acceleration to continue without the usual obvious labouring above 100mph. Indeed, many sports cars cannot reach 60mph as fast as the Grifo passes the three figure mark.
There is a wonderful feeling of sheer power as one unleashes the Grifo. The clutch takes hold, the gears can be changed easily and rapidly, and the big machine always seems to have speed, and yet more speed, instantly available at the touch of the toe. It is a well-made car and beautifully finished, having a thoroughbred look and feel about it.”
Bolster also drove B-0203 at the Montlhery circuit on the outskirts of Paris where he achieved a top speed of 171mph and 0-60-mph time of 6 seconds.
MOA reputedly sold the Iso to millionaire Texan industrialist, John Mecom Jr. of Houston.
The son of John Mecom Sr. (one of America’s top independent oilmen), John Mecom Jr. owned an enviable stable of racing machinery and employed a fine roster of drivers.
Perhaps most famously, Mecom’s Lola T90 won the Indianapolis 500 with Graham Hill behind the wheel in 1966.
Precisely how long Mecom Jr. retained B-0203 is unclear.
The car has not been seen in public in many years.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
