Oct 21, 2024  •  For Sale  •  7 Comments

The Junkyard Collection: 1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype

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I covered this Iso prototype briefly in an article on the cars of the Rudi Klein “Junkyard” collection, but Araknid78 isolated this tip for us, and I’m a sucker for these weird exotics, so here we go again. This spyder is an Iso Grifo A3/L prototype developed by Giugiaro at Bertone for Renzo Rivolta, Iso’s founder. Designed, produced, and shown at Turin in 1963, it pre-dates the introduction of the A3/L by at least a year. Two prototypes were built – the spyder and a coupe; due to chassis flex, only the coupes entered production, leaving this example the lone drop-top. At some point, this car was in an accident, and the front clip was replaced by one from a coupe – a mild tragedy since the spyder’s bodywork differed substantially from the coupe. The “Junkyard” collection is represented by RM Sotheby’s here, with the auction scheduled for October 26. The estimate on this car is $700k to $1 million, no reserve.

Iso used a variety of American V8 engines in its cars. The earliest A3/L would have had a 300 hp Chevrolet (Corvette) 327 cu. in. mill, backed by a four-speed Borg Warner manual. Before installation of the motor, Iso ran through a disassembly/ inspection/reassembly/test cycle to look for faults. Documentation provided with this car indicates that at some point it may have received a transplant – the car was advertised for sale with a “powerful yet docile 425-hp Corvette engine specially tuned by Bizzarrini”. Of course, it doesn’t run now, though it was certainly in working order when delivered to Rudi Klein.

No bare-bones prototype was this: it features a full leather interior, lovely Veglia gauges branded with “Iso A/3L”, and a veneer-trimmed dash. Armrests, a sporty wood-rimmed steering wheel, and a Blaupunkt radio round out the interior features. The new owner will presumably be signing up for a full restoration, renewing all these components to their former glory.

Giorgetto Giugiaro’s design is a masterful blend of masculinity haunted by delicacy – his particular genius. The car’s haunches are softened by lengthening the lines; the side vents both fore and aft are functional art; the nippy tail draws to a fine point. Virtually no view of the car is disappointing. Yet for all of this, the car was scorned upon arrival and for decades after as lacking “pedigree” thanks to its amalgamation of American mechanicals and Italian bodywork. Today, the tune has shifted, and collectors appreciate all sorts of foreign coachbuilt cars with American drivetrains. In just a few days, we’ll find out how much respect this particular “mutt” can generate.

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember
    Oct 21, 2024 at 4:19pm

    The rare convertible could turn into a high dollar piece. Doesn’t lose any of the good looks of the coupe and is a piece of art in itself. Sure makes me think of the coupe in the used car lot in Reno for $5,000 I didn’t buy.

    Like 5
    • Michelle RandAuthor
      Oct 21, 2024 at 7:30pm

      Ouch. Woulda coulda. But we’ve all been there!

      Like 7
  2. RichardinMaine
    Oct 22, 2024 at 8:46am

    Would that I had a spare million or so laying around.

    Like 2
  3. peter havriluk
    Oct 22, 2024 at 9:38am

    Anybody know how bad a case of shakes and shivers did this thing demonstrate so that it didn’t make it to series production?

    Like 0
  4. Laurence
    Oct 22, 2024 at 1:13pm

    I prefer the non-split coupe grille; it gives the car a cleaner look. Having to pay close to a million for something to totally restore… Hm…one needs deep pockets to become a player in such a game…especially since any attempt to figure out what it will be worth once fully restored, would be but a guess!

    Like 0
  5. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember
    Oct 28, 2024 at 11:03am

    Sold for 1.7 million.

    This “junkyard” really paid off.
    Here are the biggest results:
    A 1956 Mercedes SL Gullwing Alloy, with a lightweight aluminum body, a car that originally belonged to Luigi Chinetti, sold for $9,355,000 including commission.

    The 1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype, the only one ever made, sold for $1,700,000.

    A Mercedes SL Roadster with what RM said were “sought-after Rudge racing wheels” went for $1,075,000.

    A beat-up-looking green 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 sold for $1,325,000.
    The 1935 Mercedes 500K made specially for Grand Prix racer Rudolf Caracciola sold at $3,750,000, “a crowning jewel of the junkyard,” the RM Sotheby’s host said.

    And a 1962 Porsche 356 B 1600 Twin Grille Cabriolet moved for $1,050,000.

    Like 0
  6. Araknid78
    Nov 7, 2024 at 2:33pm

    1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype by Bertone
    $1,875,000 USD | Sold

    Like 0

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