Following WWII, the Italian refrigeration company Isotherm was reestablished by Renzo Rivolta as Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. In the 1950s, the company was best known for its motor scooters and the Isetta microcar. In the early 1960s, Mr. Rivolta set out to build an upscale grand touring car. The Iso Rivolta was introduced at the Torino Auto Show in 1962 to massive critical acclaim. Building on the Rivolta’s success, Iso embarked upon the development of a second grand touring coupe, the Grifo.

Aimed directly at the Ferrari and Maserati market, the Grifo was engineered by former Ferrari mastermind Giotto Bizzarrini and was based on a shortened Rivolta chassis. As with the Rivolta, Bizzarrini incorporated Chevrolet engines and other mechanical components to ensure brilliant power and bulletproof reliability. Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone was entrusted to style the Grifo’s graceful fastback coachwork. The prototype Iso Grifo debuted at the Torino Auto Show in 1963 fitted with Corvette’s 327 V-8 engine and a Borg Warner four-speed gearbox.

This exceedingly rare 1970 Iso Grifo Series I Targa is one of just 14 built, featuring removable roof panels to convert the car from all-weather coupe to open-air adventurer in a matter of moments. It features the Chevrolet 350 V-8 and a highly desirable ZF five-speed gearbox. Upon the Targa’s unveiling at the November 1966 Torino Auto Show, Auto Italiana said, “Undoubtedly…one of the most beautiful and luxurious cars in an absolute sense, of our time.”

As documented by a copy of the build sheet on file, this striking Grifo was completed on March 21, 1970, and delivered to Auto Becker in Germany. After passing through just three previous owners, it was acquired by its current caretaker in 1978. Originally finished in Argento Auteuil Metallizzato (Metallic Silver), the Targa was repainted in the 1980s in its present deep blue metallic to better complement its gray leather interior. In the early 2000s, the luxurious interior was restored by former Iso employee Roberto Negri in Clusone, Italy. The Grifo arrived in the US in 2005, where it was invited to the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®. It has since been shown at Concorso Italiano, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and the 2022 Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance.

To prepare the Grifo for sale, Maurice Mentens meticulously documented, then rebuilt the original V-8 engine and serviced all other mechanical systems as needed. Having traveled only break-in miles since, the car has been detailed, and stands ready for a new owner.

This Iso Grifo Series I Targa is one of the most significant examples in Iso’s history. Not offered for sale for more than 42 years, this car presents an extraordinarily rare opportunity that should not be missed.