One to Buy: Spectacular Pre-Production 1965 Iso Grifo A3/L GL365
Following the launch of his Iso motor company with the elegant four-seat IR 300 / 340 in 1962, Renzo Rivolta expanded the range to include a pair of Grifo-badged models in late 1963.
The resultant Grifo A3/C was conceived as a hardcore GT that Iso would take racing while the more luxuriously appointed Grifo A3/L was an elegant 2+2 expected to have a broader market appeal. Both variants were among the most handsome machines of their day with the A3/C styled by Giotto Bizzarrini (who had designed the underpinnings for every Iso thus far) while the A3/L’s body came from Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone.
As per the IR 300 / 340, both Grifo variants featured Chevrolet Corvette engines sourced from General Motors which were uprated upon delivery to Italy.
Both the A3/C and A3/L made their debuts at the Turin Motor Show in October 1963, but while production of the A3/C got underway almost immediately in order to hit the track in 1964, a more rigorous development programme was undertaken with the A3/L to ensure those demanding customers in the luxury GT sectot would be satisfied. Accordingly, the first A3/L deliveries did not begin until mid-way through 1965.
Pre-production examples of the A3/L from this early period are hardly ever seen for sale, but currently on offer at the Movendi showroom in Dusseldorf is just such a machine and one also configured with the range-topping GL365 engine and manual gearbox.
Originally delivered to a German customer via Auto Becker in Dusseldorf, the car features an array of unusual features and has covered a little under 80,000km from new. It is presented in immaculate condition throughout having recently been displayed at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance.
Reprinted below is Movendi’s description:
Pre-series Iso Grifo
Sample vehicle for the series
Villa d' Este participant, Masterpieces participant
Perfectly restored
Color combination as at delivery
German first delivery via Auto Becker Düsseldorf
79.910 km
€418,500
Engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, a former Ferrari employee who had left the Commendatore Ferrari factory in a dispute and opened his own design office in Livorno in 1963, played a key role in the development of the Iso Grifo.
Bizzarrini designed a platform frame with box beams that was similar to that of the Iso Rivolta IR 300 (apart from a wheelbase shortened by 20 centimeters). American V8 engines were planned for the drive, initially a 5.4-liter V8 engine from the Chevrolet Corvette.
As with the Iso Rivolta IR 300, Bertone was responsible for the design of the coupé; specifically, it was the work of the young Giorgetto Giugiaro, whom Bertone had appointed head of design shortly beforehand.
This Grifo is a pre-production model that was used as a dimensional sample for the series.
Differences include the missing second fuel filler cap without the typical slots, the full-length parcel shelf without the indicated rear seat bench, or the missing lettering on the boot lid.
This Grifo has been completely restored and is in as-delivered condition. It is ready for immediate use.
