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The Iso Grifo is a limited production grand tourer automobile manufactured by Italian Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. between 1965 and 1974.〔Buckley; Rees. p155〕 Intended to compete with Ferrari and Maserati GTs, it utilized a series of American power trains and components from Corvette and Ford to improve upon effectiveness of the production process and cost structure, maximize reliability of the critical power train components and ensure the necessary quality and performance expected from the top-tier exclusive and expensive high-performance automobiles. Styling was done by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone, while the mechanicals were the work of Giotto Bizzarrini. The first production GL models appeared in 1965 and were powered by American Chevrolet Corvette small-block 327 (5.4 L) V8s fitted to Borg-Warner 4-speed manual transmissions. With over and a vehicle weight of less than , the Grifo was able to reach speeds over . In 1970 the Grifo Series II appeared, with sleeker styling and hide-away headlights and motivated by big-block Chevrolet 454 V8 power. It was replaced in 1972 with the Grifo IR-8, which utilized a small-block Ford Boss 351 engine as its power train. This was the last Iso of any type, as the manufacturer went bankrupt and eventually shut down and ceased all operations permanently in 1974.〔 ==Origin== Iso S.p.A. in Bresso was already well known for producing the high performance Iso Rivolta IR 300; a sleek looking 2+2 Coupe based on a Chevrolet Corvette power and drive train. After leaving Ferrari, in 1961 Giotto Bizzarrini set up “Prototipi Bizzarrini” in Livorno, Tuscany where he designed and consulted for marques like ATS, Lamborghini and Iso. In 1963, he designed the Iso Grifo A3/L (L for Lusso ) for Renzo Rivolta, who was looking for a follow-up to his Iso Rivolta IR 300. The body was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone, while Bizzarrini put his expertise in the mechanicals.〔 Bizzarrini figured there would also be a demand for a race version of the Grifo and came up with the A3/C (C for Corsa) with a dramatic modified alloy body. He later dubbed it his “Improved GTO", as he had been the designer for the 250 GTO when he had worked for Ferrari. The engine was moved back about , making the A3/C a front-mid-engined car. To adjust the timing a piece of the dash was removed. Both cars were being built simultaneously. When leaving the factory both the 250 GTO and Iso Grifo originally fitted Pirelli Cinturato 205VR15 tyres (CN72). That same year Bertone showed the Grifo A3/L prototype at the Turin Auto Show, while Iso showed off the (partly unfinished) competition version; the Iso Grifo A3/C. Both were overwhelmingly successful. Although design changes had to be made to the prototype, Iso concentrated on getting the Grifo A3/L ready for production. The car got a light facelift that made it less aggressive but turned it into possibly the most elegant-looking Gran Turismo (GT) supercar ever produced. This “street” Iso Grifo GL received the fast, modified but reliable Chevrolet small-block 327 Corvette engine V8 (5.4 L) engine—either in 300 or 350 hp—coupled to a Borg-Warner 4-speed toploader. The engines were completely ordered and manufactured in the United States, then taken apart and blueprinted before they were eventually installed in the cars, much like it was done with the Iso Rivolta IR 300 before. With over and a weight of less than , the vehicle was able to reach speeds over . While Renzo Rivolta focused on the A3/L; Giotto tried to promote the A3/C—making for some tension between the two. This meant that the Grifo GL was being produced at Bresso and the A3/C at Piero Drogo’s Sports Cars of Modena under Giotto’s strict supervision. In 1964, the prototype Grifo A3/C raced at Le Mans (Edgar Berney/Pierre Noblet), running well until brake problems required a two-hour pit stop. The car then resumed the race, finally finishing in 14th place; an encouraging result for a brand-new car. Only 22 examples of the Bizzarrini Grifo A3/C were constructed before a disagreement between Renzo and Bizzarrini ended the cooperation. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Iso Grifo」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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