![]() 11/24/2015 at 11:27 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
As a car guy, one of the most irritating and hardest questions you can get asked is something along the lines of, “what’s your dream car?” or “if you could only have one car, what would it be?”. I’ve always had a really hard time answering that question. I might throw around cars like the C6 Corvette ZR1 or a 2nd-gen Chevelle, a GT (the old one) or an F40, even maybe an E60 M5 touring (sans SMG, obviously). I think I’ve finally figured it out though.
Quite recently, I’ve fallen in love with the Iso Grifo. Sort of an Italian Jensen Interceptor, but with Chevrolet (or Ford) power, the Grifo topped out at the Grifo 7 Litri model, which had the legendary Chevy L71 427 ci big block in it. With a factory (under)rated 435 horsepower, it could reach 186 mph. In 1968. The sheetmetal, which was Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone, is stunningly beautiful, and, hey, the Series II has pop-up headlights!
Iso Rivolta also made a racing version of the car, the A3/C, with the help of Giotto Bizzarini. It’s pretty badass. It raced Le Mans in 1964 and finished 14th because of brake issues. Just 22 examples of the Corsa model were made.
I’ll take my 7 litri in blue, please. If anyone’s got a spare 500 g’s, give me a call.
![]() 12/01/2015 at 11:42 |
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That’s a little creepy of a coincidence.
The Iso Grifo is the one supercar that I would legitimately want to own. It’s so different, yet it’s so normal. You can explain parts of it to anyone - old dudes at the parts store, young dudes at the drift meet, Italians waiting in line to pay their traffic tickets...
Plus, it looks a lot like an Alfa Romeo Montreal, and who can say a bad thing about that car? Nobody can say a bad thing about that car.
![]() 12/01/2015 at 11:47 |
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I’m not sure if this applies to all year models but at some point Grifo’s 7 litre model had this really weird and awesome hood scoop.
![]() 12/01/2015 at 15:22 |
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Ah, yes. The “Penthouse.” The 427’s three two-barrel carbs couldn’t clear the hood without it.
![]() 12/01/2015 at 15:28 |
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Well, it could’ve had a bit more power (only 200 hp? Really?), but it’s an Alfa V8, and it’s kinda like the one in the glorious 33 Stradale, which I would also legitimately like to own, so it can get a pass on the power. If someone doesn’t think so, I’m sure that V8 purr could convince them otherwise.
![]() 12/01/2015 at 15:47 |
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Well, if we’re going to nitpick I guess I could also say that SPICA isn’t the world’s best fuel injection system.
But it’s got that passion.
![]() 12/01/2015 at 15:58 |
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That’s a pound in the Italian car review swear jar.
![]() 12/01/2015 at 19:42 |
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I too am in love with the Grifo