This is grifo 001 the Bertone prototype Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just curious, my Bertone book says this about the Grifo: "The first prototypes were equipped with mechanisms for headlight raising, but the mass produced version has fixed headlights..." Is this statement correct? The Grifo that is pictured at the Torino Show in 1963 looks just like the car in your pictures - no pop-up headlights.
The book is incorrect, later versions called the series two had pop up body work. This system is a bit diffrent than most pop up head lights in that the headlight remained fixed and the bodywork moved. This design is shared with the Montreal Alfa and uses the same pneumatic actuators. The prototype has many feature that are different than the production models. The overall dimensions were changed and the front nose was modified due to high speed lift. A second car with these dimensions was made by Bertone in a convertible version, it was not ordered by the Iso factory and was a surprise. Bertone has commented many times that Grifo 001 was his personal favorite and company's best overall design. The convertible was built out of enthusiasm for the design and is currently in Los Angles, unrestored and not driven. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
There was a red Grifo full convertible as well as a targa in the same showroom in the later seventies. I think the shworoom was on Sunset or Wilshire Blvrd? The car was then in stunning condition, sad to see it unloved now.
Yes the car was owned by famous "wrecks of the stars" collector Rudy Kline. Rudy had acres of crashed exotics. The Grifo spyder was never wrecked though and kept in a barn on his property. Rudy has since passed away and I believe his son has the car. He wanted one million for it! A bit high since the Grifo pictured above 001 was for sale last year for 1.4 million, and it had won Pebble beach.
