One to Buy: ex-Paris Motor Show 1965 Iso A3/C Grifo Strada
Although perhaps best known for the beautiful Bertone-bodied Grifo A3/L, arguably the pièce de résistance of Renzo Rivolta’s car building operation was the spectacular A3/C version which Iso conceived as the ultimate GT racing car of its day.
In addition to having been available in Corsa trim, Iso offered the A3/C as a slightly more refined Stradale variant for those customers that wanted an example of this Giotto Bizzarrini-designed and built masterpiece purely for road use.
Unfortunately though, a falling out between Rivolta and Bizzarrini around 18 months after the first A3/C was completed meant only a handful emerged during the Iso era. The net result of this parting ways was that the A3/C subsequently became a Bizzarrini-owned project dubbed the 5300 GT.
Currently on offer at the Fiskens showroom in London is an A3/C Grifo configured in an almost certainly unique specification and with a particularly interesting story: chassis B-0212.
One of just 22 cars completed by Carrozzeria Drogo with riveted aluminium bodywork, B-0212 was originally configured in a spectacular champagne gold livery and upon completion is believed to have starred at the 1964 Paris Motor Show which opened on October 7th.
During 1965 it was purchased new by engineer Marc Gregoire of Val-D’Oise in northern France who in 1968 went on to establish the Tefal cookware concern.
Strasbourg artist and sculptor Freddy Zimmer then acquired the Iso in 1966 and retained it until 1979. More recently, B-0212 has undergone a sympathetic restoration which has seen as many of the original components retained as possible.
Reprinted below is Fiskens’ description:
One of 22 riveted alloy cars by Drogo, desirable flat rear window
New to TEFAL founder Marc Grégoire, later with collector Marcel Petitjean
Freshly returned to elegant as-delivered Champagne livery
Understood to have been displayed at 1964 Paris Motor Show
Understood to be the Paris Motor Show car of 1964, this Iso Grifo A3/C is the final example built to Stradale specification with the desirable flat rear window, and is offered newly restored to its elegant and sophisticated original livery.
Creation of legendary engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, the Grifo A3/C or “Corsa” unites a race-inspired Italian chassis, unforgettable styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone, and V-8 Corvette power – crossing the flags of Italy and America to ultimate effect.
Expelled from Ferrari in the infamous “palace revolt,” Bizzarrini found refuge at ATS, designed the Lamborghini V-12, and then joined Iso at the behest of founder Renzo Rivolta – first developing the luxury 2+2 Rivolta with Pierluigi Raggi, then the high-performance two-seat Grifo, an extreme concept more truly in his own image.
The “front mid-engine” design for the Grifo A3/C and its “Lusso” sister placed the engine very far aft to ensure perfect weight distribution, evolving principles Bizzarrini first applied developing the Ferrari 250 TR, 250 SWB, 250 GTO and even the “Breadvan” for Count Volpi. Viewed in sequence, the Grifo (and its continuation the Bizzarrini 5300 GT) becomes the ultimate iteration of this definitive GT bloodline – notably with a competition Bizzarrini famously securing a 5L class win at Le Mans in 1965.
Constructed with a riveted alloy body and completed at Piero Drogo’s Carrozzeria Sports Cars, chassis B0212 is likely the last Stradale delivered with the desirable flat rear screen, and is believed to have been presented at the October 1964 Paris Motor Show, in her original Champagne livery.
Delivered new to France she was purchased in 1965 by first owner Marc Grégoire, residing in the Val-D’Oise region in the north. An engineer at ONERA (France’s leading research centre in aerospace and defence), Grégoire made his fortune pioneering Teflon-coated pans as founder of the TEFAL brand – apparently his wife’s suggestion!
In 1966, the A3/C was acquired by the artist and sculptor Freddy J. Zimmer from a Paris dealership, then used around Strasbourg for 14 years through 1979. Clearly remembered with an artist’s appreciation, Zimmer recalls the Grifo as “car sculpture” and “the love of my life,” only parting with it reluctantly due to a move abroad.
Briefly with Jean-Jacques Fritsch in 1979, she then joined the large collection of businessman racer Marcel Petitjean. In a very long-term ownership, Petitjean kept the Iso for nearly forty years – the noteworthy development being a debatable (and it turns out temporary) colour change to red.
From 2022, B0212 returned to Italy for sympathetic restoration works in Milan, whereby great care was taken to preserve as much of the original interior and parts as possible. This included a commendable and entirely appropriate return to the original Champagne livery, complimenting the more unrestrained styling of Bizzarrini’s creation.
Offered freshly completed, this alloy A3/C has a highly appealing specification and Paris Motor Show history. With elegant livery and V-8 power, this A3/C is an iron fist in a velvet glove, certain to attract huge attention at the world’s best motoring events.
