1972 Iso Varedo by Zagato

Piero Rivolta took over the Iso Company after his father passed away in 1966. One of the first things he did was introduce a new version of the Grifo and 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 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 a glimpse of it.

In the late sixties and early seventies, mid-engined sports cars were hype, and Piero Rivolta decided that Iso should build one too. It would be called the Iso Varedo after its place of birth.

It was a good light car with a fiberglass body (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.

It was designed by Ercole Spada (Zagato) and Piero Rivolta, and even today, it looks up to date.

Power came from Ford, the 5.7 ltr. Ford 351 Cleveland engine with 325 hp combined with a 5-speed from ZF. With a weight of around 1000kg, it is a spectacular car to drive, let down only by the heavy clutch and impossible gear change:

First: up-left, Second: right-down, and 3/4/5 are where they should not be and where you don’t expect them to be.

Iso only completed one Varedo, and that is a real shame. In 1973 Piero Rivolta sold the company to Dr. Ivo Pera, which was the end for Varedo. He didn’t want a new model and left the car in the corner of the factory where Piero Rivolta found it later, damaged and in pieces after Iso had to close its doors in December 1974 due to the oil crisis. He bought the car and had it restored to its present perfect condition. It can be seen at the Iso Museum in Sarasota, FL, USA.

Source: Caesar Alvarez - www.topspeed.com

Images: www.lotusespritturbo.com; Zwischengas Archiv