Iso Rivolta History One of the most beautiful sports cars of the 1960s, the A3C Iso Rivolta Grifo and its eventual racing variant, the Bizzarrini 5300, were about more than just outstanding looks. The competition version won the large-displacement GT class at 24 hours of Le Mans in 1964 and 1965, a testament to the mechanical sophistication, aerodynamic efficiency and durability of the car. When architecting his beautiful and impressively fast Iso Grifo, Renzo Rivolta relied on one of Italy’s greatest automotive engineers, Giotto Bizzarrini, and designer Giorgetto Giugiaro— whose design credits included the Ferrari 250 GTO and Testa Rossa. They both played an ongoing development role to produce the A3/C, dubbed the 5300 GT Strada. This included all necessary elements for success: an uncompromising, reliable Corvette V-8, sophisticated suspension and a lightweight and aerodynamic body. Compared to the Corvette, it was significantly lighter and featured technical innovations that even the most exotic cars of the era could not better. Their looks, performance and pedigree secured them a place as one of the most desirable and valuable cars ever made. IsoRivolta Today With an ongoing Renzo Rivolta family history with the Zagato, the legendary Milan-based design house and coachbuilder Zagato has broken the mold to re-announce this new bespoke sports car, the IsoRivolta GT Zagato (GTZ), without forgetting its historical roots and provenance. This IsoRivolta GT Zagato is the first contract and first and only imported to and registered in the United States. A class winner at The Quail Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week in 2021, it is the product of a two-year development process and more than 2,500 hours of labor at Zagato’s facilities in Milan, Italy. As with the 1960s originals, this new IsoRivolta GT Zagato features Corvette V-8 power—the Z06’s LT4. Designed and fabricated in-house at Zagato in Milan, Italy, this GT Zagato is clothed in total carbon fiber bodywork. That bodywork not only honors the stunning Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed original cars but also immensely boosts the IsoRivolta GT Zagato’s performance and tuned handling characteristics. This boost comes courtesy of its high rigidity and lighter overall weight, with the carbon fiber reducing the total weight by more than 20% to only 2,645 pounds. It’s also bespoke in that it shares no body panels, exterior components or most interior components with the Z06. The glass, lights, door handles and wheels are all unique to this car, which also provides more luggage space than a Corvette Z06, in keeping with its grand touring design in the great European tradition. Performance and handling are awesome with the 6.2L Corvette Z06-spec LT4 supercharged V-8 engine delivering 660 HP in concert with a superb paddle-shifted automatic transmission. Finished in Italian Zagato flare with special-ordered Le Mans Red tri-coat metallic paint, the GT Zagato is handsomely complemented by Charcoal Italian leather upholstery with optional contrasting red hand stitching and brushed aluminum interior accents. Comfort and convenience are exceptional with ventilated and heated, power-operated seats with memory settings. A fighter jet-inspired head-up display (HUD) provides instant access to vital information, plus a tachometer and 220 MPH speedometer. Power windows, locks and mirrors, dual climate control and a premium Bose audio system ensure a great long-range drive. Race-derived, factory Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes deliver stopping power, and 10-spoke alloy wheels mounting Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires provide road contact. While only 19 are already committed to be produced worldwide, the lead time required and backlog for these cars dictates this bespoke IsoRivolta GT Zagato will surely be the only example in the Americas for at least a year— guaranteeing undeniable exclusivity and value that other makes can only wish for in comparison.
