---
title: "This Near-Perfect 1973 Iso Grifo Is Bargain Priced at $475,000"
description: "A mighty Ford V-8 powers this beguiling Italian-American supercar."
date: "2019-02-24"
modified: "2019-02-24"
authors:
  - name: "Joe D'Allegro"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joe-dallegro"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/26616/this-near-perfect-1973-iso-grifo-is-bargain-priced-at-475000"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "For Sale"
  - "News"
---

# This Near-Perfect 1973 Iso Grifo Is Bargain Priced at $475,000

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/02/Iso-Grifo-Collage.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

A restored 1973 Iso Grifo, one of the finest supercars of its day, is on sale in New York City for a cool $475,000.

Iso was created by industrialist [Renzo Rivolta](<https://mycarquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/RivoltaObit.221.jpg>), who made his fortune manufacturing refrigerators. Based in a suburb of Milan, Italy, the company manufactured scooters and the iconic Isetta three-wheeled bubble car that provided cash-strapped Europeans with transportation in the aftermath of World War II. [BMW](<https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1958-bmw-isetta-300>) purchased the rights and tooling to the Isetta in 1954 and sold more than 160,000 of them through 1962.

The Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Grifo is decidedly rarer than that; only [412 (some say 413) were produced between 1965 and 1974](<https://auto.howstuffworks.com/iso-sports-cars.htm>). The Grifo featured open headlights and Corvette engines for most of its run, but later models, like the one featured here, had semi-covered lights and Ford powerplants. The [351-cubic-inch Cleveland V8](<https://www.offroaders.com/tech/Ford-351-Cleveland-V8-Engines.htm>) puts out 350 horsepower in this Grifo, allowing for an impressive 160-mile-per-hour top speed. Some earlier Isos featuring giant 7.0-liter Chevy engines could approach 186 mph, which was almost unheard of at the time.

Decades-old Italian supercars aren't known for ease of maintenance, but basic upkeep on the Iso shouldn't be too bad, thanks to its stout muscle car heart. These were well-built and well-finished cars with strong steel frames, four-wheel disc brakes, and all-independent suspensions. Dependability, paired with a luxurious interior and large trunk made them reasonably practical for daily use. The Grifo even featured a vestigial back seat over its rear storage area suitable for the fancy pedigreed dogs of the upper class, or two of their lesser-loved children.

Finished in red with a light brown interior done in rich leather, this particular Grifo appears as-new. Its pronounced hood scoop features fine metal slats along the front and sides to let in air. The car is from the [collection](<https://stuartparrcollection.com/car/1973-iso-grifo-series-ii-coupe-2/>) of designer and film producer Stuart Parr and is listed at $475,000 on the [Classic Driver](<https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/iso/grifo/1973/613207>) auction site. The seller notes the car has a new interior with Wilton carpeting, factory air conditioning, and power steering. The odometer shows 43,500 kilometers (27,029 miles).

Now, $475,000 may seem like a lot to ask, but not when you consider the stratospheric pricing achieved by contemporary competitors such as the Ferrari Daytona, of which more than 1,400 were sold. At press time, [Hemmings](<https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/ferrari/daytona>) had two Ferrari Daytonas listed for $675,000 each—a 42 percent price premium for a more "common" car.

See? The Grifo is practically a bargain.

![message-editor%2F1551026291773-isogrifo.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1551026291773-isogrifo.jpg>)
**The Stuart Parr Collection**

![message-editor%2F1551026344231-isogrifoengine.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1551026344231-isogrifoengine.jpg>)
**The Stuart Parr Collection**

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