The Iso Grifo automobile emerged from the visionary collaboration between engineer Giotto Bizzarrini and entrepreneur Renzo Rivolta. Its inception in 1963 marked the establishment of Iso Automobili S.p.A., laying the foundation for a remarkable automotive legacy. Giotto Bizzarrini, renowned for his work with Ferrari, played a pivotal role in its development. Renzo Rivolta, the mind behind Iso Automobili, sought to diversify his company’s portfolio, transitioning from refrigerators to automobiles. Their partnership bore fruit in the form of the ISO Grifo, a marriage of performance and style.
A creation of the minds
Development of the Grifo began in 1963 via a reprise of the partnership between Iso, Giotto Bizzarrini, and Giorgetto Giugiaro that had produced the Iso Rivolta IR 300 earlier in the decade. Following a split between Iso and Bizzarrini, the Grifo GL fastback coupe entered production in 1965 and was joined in late 1966 by a Targa variant that featured two removable roof panels provided by Carrozzeria Pavesi. Only 14 of 330 Series I Grifos and four of the 83 Series II cars were manufactured in Targa configuration.
No Subscription? You’re missing out
Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content.
