1971 Iso Grifo 7-Litre Series II
- Engine
- 7.0L (427 cu in) Chevrolet V8
The 1971 Iso Grifo, chassis 335, is among the rarest variants of an already limited model: the third of just four examples fitted with the 7.0-litre Chevrolet V-8, and one of only two such cars completed in 1971. Bodied by Bertone to a design attributed to Giorgio Giugiaro and distinguished by the Series II pop-up headlamp treatment, it was ordered directly at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show and has remained in continuous single-family ownership since delivery, accumulating fewer than 47,000 km.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £500,000 (≈ $625K)
- —Auction saleSold US$610,000
- 1971-02-01 →Factory deliveryOriginal Swiss family patriarchfull documentation
Ordered at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show directly from the Iso stand; collected in person from the Zurich dealer on 1 February 1971. Car remained in continuous family ownership for roughly 47 years, driven only on special occasions and accumulating fewer than 47,000 km.
- 1971-02-01 → 2018Factory deliverySwiss family patriarch (original purchaser)full documentation
Ordered directly at the Geneva Motor Show in 1970, collected from the Zurich Iso dealer in February 1971. The car was used sparingly and meticulously maintained throughout; original seats were removed in 1991 for preservation purposes.
- 1991 →Acquisition unknownOriginal owner's sonpartial documentation
The car accompanied the son during a decade-long stay in the United States while he was employed by Vector Aeromotive Corporation; US-specification lighting was fitted during this period. The car is understood to have returned to the family thereafter.
- 1991 →Acquisition unknownOriginal owner's son (Swiss family, US-based period)partial documentation
During the 1990s the car was taken to the United States while the son was employed at Vector Aeromotive; it was subsequently returned to Switzerland with no deterioration noted.
- 2018 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Acquired the car in well-preserved original condition; continued the established routine of regular use and upkeep, including a carburetor overhaul.
- Date unknownInheritanceOriginal owner's wife and sonspartial documentation
Following the patriarch's death, custody of the car passed to his widow and children, who are the consigning parties.
Competition
- 19641964 Le Mans 24 Hours1st in class
The Iso Grifo A3/C achieved a class victory at Le Mans; this refers to the model type, not the specific chassis offered.
- 19651965 Le Mans 24 Hours1st in class
A second consecutive class win at Le Mans for the A3/C variant; again a model-level reference, not specific to chassis 335.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1991Modification
US-specification lighting was added to the car during a period of approximately ten years when it was kept in the United States; European-specification lights were retained, leaving the car fitted with both.
The car accompanied a family member to the US for around a decade starting in 1991 while he worked for Vector Aeromotive Corporation.
- —Maintenance
Original interior seats were removed from the car roughly 27 years prior to the catalogue date to prevent wear; they have been stored separately and are offered with the vehicle.
Removal was a precautionary measure, not a restoration intervention; the seats remain available and in original condition.
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