1972 ISO Grifo Can Am (Series II)

Country of Manufacture: Italy
Year:              1972
Vin #:             7L210368
Model Type:  2 Door Coupe
Body Designer: Bertone (Giugiaro)
Engine:           Corvette 454 V8  (6998 cc)
Horsepower:  390 bhp at 4800 rpm
Torque:          500 lb. at 3400 rpm
Transmission: ZF 5 speed garbox
Suspension:  
Front- Independent, wishbones, coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Rear- de Dion tube, coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers, longitudinal struts, cross bar
Brakes:          
Front- 11.5 inch Girling discs, servo booster
Rear- 11 inch Girling discs mounted inboard, servo booster
Top Speed:    165 mph

History:  The ISO company was founded by Renzo Rivolta, an industrialist best known for making refrigerators, motor scooters and the Isetta bubble car, which he later licensed to BMW.  The first high performance car made by ISO was the very successful 2 door Rivolta. This was followed by the fastback Grifo which grew out of the earlier Rivolta that was engineered by Giotto Bizzarrini, designed by Bertone (Giugiaro) and powered by Corvette 327 V8.  Using the same Bizzarrini designed unit-body/monocoque underpinnings, Bertone designed a sleek 2 seat berlinetta.  With the prototype Grifo A3L receiving critical acclaim, a production version appeared 18 months later in 1965. This production GL model was available with the option of a Corvette 300 hp (1965-66), 350 hp (1966-70) or 365 hp (1965-66).  A higher powered, limited production version known as the Grifo “7 Litre” using a Corvette 427, 400 bhp engine (usually in combination with 4-speed gearboxes or 3 speed automatics, although a few were fitted with a ZF 5-speed), became an option in late 1968.  The 5-speed big block version was the fastest of all Grifo’s and in the late sixties was recognized as the fastest production car in the world.  A covered headlight Series II Grifo appeared in 1970.  Most Series II cars were Ford Cleveland 351 powered, although the big block cars stayed with Corvette power, albeit the 454, which provided more low-end torque, but lower speed at the top end.

Production:   412 (incl. 3 “one offs”) Grifo’s of all types were built before ISO closed down in 1974. Series 1 open headlight cars comprise: 242 GL small block (Corvette 327) coupes, 13 Targa’s & 65 big block (Corvette 427) coupes badged “7 Litre’s”. Series 11 covered headlight cars comprise: 17 small block (Corvette 327) coupes badged IR8’s, 4 Targa’s, and 34 coupes with Ford (Cleveland 351) motors. There were 4 big block (Corvette 427) coupes & 20 big block (Corvette 454) coupes badged “Can Am’s”

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