1969 Iso Rivolta

Italian industrial manufacturer Iso entered car production during the 1950's with a series of "Bubble-cars" which were becoming increasingly popular at the time. Iso was normally associated with producing domestic appliances and motor-cycles and once the "Bubble-car" craze had finished reverted to its normal products.

Iso re-entered the car business during 1962 with an entirely new and equally diverse range of motorcars, the first of many US/Italian Hybrid muscle cars the Rivolta. Production of these beautiful and expensive grand tourers continued until 1974, models included the Grifo, Fidia and Lele.

Piero Rivolta took over the Iso Company after his father passed away in 1966. One of the first things he did was the introduction of a new version of the Grifo, the Targa, and of a whole new car, the Iso S4. After Iso closed in 1974 he went to America and formed the Rivolta Group. He surprised the automotive press with the introduction of the Grifo 90 in 1992 but it remained a one-off. Today the Rivolta Group is busy in many areas, yachts & boats, design in cooperation with Zagato Italy, architecture & project developing etc. and the Isigo microcar. When will we see the new Iso sportscar? Many are talking about it and some even claim to have seen glimpse of it.

In the late sixties and early seventies midengined sports cars were a hype and Piero Rivolta decided that Iso should built one too. It was going to be called the Iso Varedo after its place of birth.

It was a reasonable light car with a body of fiberglass (75% fiberglass and 25% polyester). They used this material because it was cheaper and lighter than steel or aluminum. It was a car for those who asked for speed, handling and stunning looks. This was not a sporty coupé, this was a beast; an image-builder. Inside it was simple and basic, like a racecar.

The car was not intended to replace the Grifo like some thought but to generate publicity for Iso and their other products.