Italian design, American power. A recipe for success? We think so, and so did Iso. Iso (pronounced ee-so), or Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A., was an Italian car manufacturer which wanted to compete with the likes of Ferrari and Maserati. And rather than develop their own engines and transmissions, they went American: First sourcing from Chevrolet and later Ford before going back to Chevrolet and closing their doors for good.
Iso made a few different models, but for most, the Grifo stands out. Average values for Grifos is around $410,000 according to Hagerty, but if that's too rich for you, you're in luck: Matchbox made a 1:64 version back in the '60s that can be had for around $10.
For a sports car, an American engine was a cop out (OK, the Cobra is an exception). For a grand touring car, not so much.
The Iso Grifo is a great looking car and slots into the same niche as my Jensen Interceptor (also Italian styled as well as built, with regard to the earliest cars and American powered), the Monteverdis, Bristols, Facel Vegas, Bizzarinis, and De Tomassos.
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By Jordan Rimpela
