One to Buy: ex-Mike Hailwood 1968 Iso Grifo GL300
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Alongside John Lennon who was a big fan of the four-door Fidia, one of Iso’s best known customers was four-time 500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix world champion and noted F1 / sports car driver, Mike Hailwood.
At various stages of his career, Hailwood is understood to have owned at least three examples of the iconic Bertone-styled Iso Grifo, one of which (a yellow car) he famously crashed into a cow at high speed while travelling back to Johannesburg from the Cape Town 3 Hour race in November 1969.
The Grifo was of course Iso boss Renzo Rivolta’s answer to similar front-engined two-seat Grand Tourers from Ferrari and Maserati. Initially, a racing version dubbed the A3/C had been designed and produced on Iso’s behalf by Giotto Bizzarrini. However, after the two men fell out in mid 1965, the A3/C became the Bizzarrini 5300 GT while the more luxurious A3/L styled by Bertone (and also designed by Bizzarrini) gained exclusive use of the Grifo moniker.
Currently on offer at the DD Classics showroom in London is one of Mike Hailwood’s Iso Grifos: a 1968 example which was reputedly the fifth right-hand drive Grifo supplied to the UK.
Originally built for Sir Gordon O’Neil with a classic red on black colour scheme, this Grifo was also configured in GL300 as opposed to the more commonly seen GL365 trim which meant a single Carter AFB double-barrel carburettor and 10.5:1 compression ratio. Peak output was 295bhp at 5000rpm and 360lb-ft at 3200rpm.
Today, this sensational matching numbers Grifo, which was owned by one of motor racing’s most revered characters, is being offered in excellent condition with extensive documentation.
