One to Buy: ex-Mike Hailwood 1966 Iso Grifo GL350
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It’s difficult to disagree that, with its Giotto Bizzarrini-designed underpinnings and spectacular Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed body, the Iso Grifo has the best of everything. When you factor in relatively inexpensive maintenance costs owing to largely off-the-shelf running gear, its easy to see why these cars were and remain so highly sought after.
This GL350, finished in Bianca Polo Park with Rosso upholstery, is an early example of the 25 first series Grifos built in right hand drive. Completed in December 1966 with the desirable manual gearbox, it was supplied to arguably the greatest motorcycle racer of his era: Mike Hailwood.
Hailwood won nine motorcycle World Championships between 1961 and ‘67. He also raced on four wheels, winning the ‘72 European F2 Championship and driving in F1 for Reg Parnell, John Surtees and McLaren. Hailwood later came out of retirement to win the Isle of Man TT on a Ducati in 1978.
It seems Mike Hailwood liked a Grifo as we think he owned three.
According to The Hairpin Company, at whose Wiltshire showroom the Iso currently resides: “The car was delivered when new to Mike Hailwood, (the reigning 250cc motorcycle Champion at the time) in South Africa. He clearly enjoyed the Grifo as noted in a number of photographs on file both in South Africa and in the UK, the car returning to these shores in 1970.”
“Mike was clearly impressed with the Grifo as he went on to buy a second example, a Series Two model finished in Canary Yellow. However, an accident near Durban involving a cow in the road left the car in a rather mangled state, although Mike and his passenger got away with superficial injuries from flying glass.
Since its return to the UK this Grifo has been enjoyed by a number of marque enthusiasts who have each devoted much time to the upkeep and restoration of the car. Comprehensive documentation on file details the life of the car in correspondence and invoicing. It is well known to the Iso Register and is documented within. This rare example with great provenance is in superb order in all respects and drives as only a well sorted example can.”
