Most underrated Italian car the 7 litre Iso Grifo

Built in 1968 for a special customer, Iso Rivolta shoe horned the 7 liter 427 into the Grifo.
The car was blindingly fast and the factory estimated it's top speed at 300 kph. By 1972 the company was close to BK and the Ford 351C replaced the GM big blocks. Very few were tested by auto magazines, so the cars top speed is still questioned by many. Possibly the fastest production car of the day?
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Who cares about how fast it was? Even the regular ones are one of the coolest looking cars of that era.

 

I believe it was called the "Le Mans". Very cool car but I never did like the hood bulge thing.

 

Hot car.

In the U.S., what is the price spread, for a nice original 7 liter car ?

 

150-200

 

Big block Grifo's had a number of names.

Super 1
7 litre 65
Can Am 24

The hood bulge is called the "pagoda" by club members either you love it or hate it.

The first 7 litre prototype built had a bit different treatment on it's headlights and is still missing today.
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7 Litre
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Underrated at that price range??? I don't think so. I think they are very well appreciated and highly rated or else the price would not be so high.

 

Most people have no knowledge of how powerful and fast this car was. Just as a comparison the Daytona was rated at 280 kph The 7 litre 300kph. This was stock with no modifications, and we all know how much more you can get out of a big block with a few upgrades. This combined with the Bizzarrini designed chassis and you have a potent car.

 

I loved my Matchbox Iso

Reminds me a bit of the AM V8

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOLSXnG2ToM

 

So that would be a 425HP version - I'd assume the "plain vanilla" 427. The ISO was rated at "only" 400HP, but I'd bet it was more likely 425HP.

You could easily surpass 500HP with that engine. That would be about the same as flat-12 F1 engine Ferrari was producing around that time.

That Grifo must have been insanely quick / fast!

 

It is underrated, given the low production #'s, beauty, and speed potential of the car.

In addition, quite a bit of the demand, is from Corvette/Chevy enthusiasts, who most likely have interest in the car, just because of the motor. These enthusiasts will pay similar values, for a superb 1967 L71 Corvette. The 1967 L71, is not a scarce vehicle.

 

this was , rare , desireable , brutally hansome and very purposefull and pure italian sex appeal.
The Zonda of its time

Gary
espada
8394

 

Couldn't have said it better!

This is THE last Grifo built #413 the ford 351C was removed for a 427. It was built by Diamonte in Italy. Diamonte was one of Bizzarrini's manufacturing managers.
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It was not called LE MANS but CAN AM..

24 were made according to the ISO register..

7 litres about 90 cars alltogether..

Nik

 

Here's one I shot at the Euro Auto Fest in Greer, SC back in 2005:
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These cars are now $200k+ , arent they?

 

Any pics of the engine please? Thanks

 

Always admired them myself. Passed on a very nice Targa a few years back, but it took all my strength! I'm not sure I would not call them under appreciated or undervalued - most of the fans of this generation of cars seem to know what it is. Prices appear to have increased at least 2-fold in the past 10 years, which to me indicates a real appreciation of this car.

If prices are returning to earth, I selfishly view that as a good thing, as it only serves to increase the likelihood of me ever owning one.

 

gorgeous car, very similar color to a goose I know well....only thing I don't like are the mirrors

there are better options out there :/

 

My reference was not intended to be about price, more about the hierarchy of the model based on top speed, handling and power in the exotic world. But since you mention it shouldn't these cars be worth more than a Daytona Ferrari ? They are faster and the build quality was better.

Targa is a great car too!

 

Although I agree with you that they are one of the all-time great cars, in order for them to make the 'Daytona grade' they are missing a few things: 4 cylinders and a pedigree that cannot be compared.

Regrettably, I also passed on several Grifo's in the mid- to late 70ies, when they were regarded as piles of rusted junk. Helmut Becker once referred to them as 'Edelschrott'. freely translated noble scrap. He was wrong (didn't happen often!) and so was I.

 

Nothing new the F crowd has been making those claims for many years, they have called our cars all sorts of names like Bizzaro- ini's but interestingly enough most of the club members are ex Ferrari owners and they understand the quality and beauty of Iso and Bizzarrini cars.

Ironically Ferrari owners are just now understanding what a huge influence Giotto Bizzarrini had on the most famous Ferrari's of all time The GTO's. Giotto said in so many words that the Iso A3C was the next evolution of the GTO. And all Iso and Bizzarrini's share the same suspension with the exception of some later IRS Biz cars.

Thats why I posted the 7 Litre as the most underrated Italian car. It should be right there with the Daytona IMO.

 

Facel Vegas should get much more attention than they do too but the history of the automobile is full of great cars no one remembers. Orphan cars often do not get the treatment they deserve in history but it takes more than just building a great car for a half dozen years to establish that place in history.