From BMW to Cadillac, Jeep to Devo, everybody’s doing the power dome thing these days -- that subtle bulge is design shorthand for "this baby's got a lot of horses under the hood (or at least we want it to look like it does)."
Frankly, they're all weak stuff compared to the assertive riser on this 1974 Iso Grifo Series II. Featured on Bring a Trailer, this Italo-American hybrid -- the last of its breed to be built -- is offered for sale at Fantasy Junction for the low, low price of $465,000.
Don't be fooled by the custom valve covers -- there's 351 cubic inches of Ford V8 power in there.
Now, some people think the distinctive hood scoop is ugly, like a giant sheet cake dropped onto an otherwise classic, flowing set of Italian lines. And we’d direct those haters to direct their eyes to the Series I cars, which get a conventional hood.
We've learned to love the so-called "penthouse" up front for its form-over-function sensibility. Even people who have no idea what an Iso is can tell that there's probably something important tucked under that hood. Serious muscle.
Indeed, the scoop conceals a Ford 351 Cleveland V8. That's not quite as insane as the 7.0-liter Chevy L71 big-block dropped into some earlier "7 Litri" cars, but it shouldn't have any trouble getting the Grifo up to speed. It's hooked up to a ZF five-speed manual -- one of just 23 Grifos to get this desirable gearbox.
There's factory power steering, too, which should be nice when you have to parallel park. And factory air conditioning! Talk about daily driver potential.
The Iso Grifo is proof that a design can be simultaneously masculine and beautiful.
Grifo experts (Grifisti?) may be interested in this car's complicated history. Though it is referred to as chassis number 412, that's not the whole story: According to the seller's website, "the car was originally serial number 371 and was completed on 17 April 1972. It was returned to the factory where a new engine was fitted and its automatic transmission was replaced with a ZF 5-speed. ZF power steering was also added, making it one of the 7 Grifos factory fitted with power steering."
We're sure you could verify this story before cutting a check if you wished; one of Iso's employees, Roberto Negri, runs an Iso restoration service, and we'd hardly be surprised if he remembers this particular car.
As the last Iso Grifo to be built, this is also one of the very last Isos ever. The small Italian automaker, crippled by the Oil Crisis, shut its doors not long after this car rolled off the assembly line. $465,000 is a lot of cash for a non-Ferrari, but this Grifo's end-of-the-line status, plus a thorough restoration and ample documentation (not to mention the state of the market) are enough to justify the ask.
Check out more photos at Fantasy Junction.
