Iso Grifo GL Series 1
Born from the genius of Bizzarrini and shaped by Bertone, the Iso Grifo captured the futuristic optimism of the 1960s in Italy during the industrial boom. With American V8 muscle under its Italian bonnet and lines drawn by Giorgetto Giugiaro himself, the Grifo was the exotic GT that challenged Ferrari and Maserati on their home turf. Few cars better represent the spirit of speed, luxury, and international style.
The Iso Grifo GL emerged in the mid 1960s as a result of a unique collaboration between Italian automotive design and American engineering. Planned as a luxurious and high-performance grand tourer, the Grifo represented the combination of Italian coachbuilding tradition and the power and reliability of a Chevrolet small-block V8. It was a product of an era when Italian manufacturers looked for new ways to challenge the dominance of Ferrari and Maserati by offering alternatives that prioritized comfort, usability, and performance without sacrificing aesthetics or build quality. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro during his tenure at Bertone and engineered by Giotto Bizzarrini, the Iso Grifo was built under the leadership of industrialist Renzo Rivolta, who envisioned a new class of automobiles, and the GL Series I was the first expression of this vision.
Iso Grifo
Paint color Argento Indianapolis
Interiors Black Leather
Originally delivered in Germany
In perfect mechanical order
Factory-correct exterior and interior colors
Extensive documentation of maintenance work
Complete with a copy of its original build sheet
Featured in the German “ClassicCars” magazine
This example of Iso Grifo was delivered new in Germany in 1968. Over the years, it has remained in the hands of knowledgeable and detail-oriented collectors who have shown a consistent commitment to maintaining the car’s mechanical and aesthetic integrity.
The vehicle underwent a comprehensive cosmetic and mechanical overhaul, documented in part by a recent German valuation report dated October 2022, which assigned the car a “Zustandsnote” (condition grade) of 1-, indicating a vehicle in exceptionally good condition.
Mechanically, the Grifo presents in excellent working order. The engine runs smoothly at idle and under load, and the gearbox is sharp across all rpm ranges. The clutch, cooling system, and fuel delivery systems have been overhauled, and the dual exhaust system has been restored and refinished.