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1970 Iso Rivolta

We've all drooled over cars like the Ferrari Daytona, Lamborghini Miura and Maserati Ghibli, but some of the most beautiful designs in Italian automotive history come from manufacturers you may have never heard of. Iso was a company that, before World War II, produced refrigeration units and then moved into motorcycles and scooters after the war. In the 1950s, they were responsible for the Isetta bubble car that was licensed to several manufacturers, including BMW. Then, at the Torino Motor Show in 1962, they dropped the curtain on the Rivolta, an sleek 2+2 coupe with the heart of a Chevrolet, in this case, a 5.4 liter V8. Designed with help by famed engineer Giotto Bizzarini, these cars were impossibly fast for their day, being able to cruise comfortably at speeds over 120 mph on the motorway.

From 1963 through 1970, approximately 800 of these coupes were produced. This example for sale in St. Louis, Missouri is a very late production model that is in original condition, save for an older respray.

1970 Iso Rivolta

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1970 Iso Rivolta. For those of you not familiar with the Iso story, in the early 1960s, Renzo Rivolta, an Italian engineer and successful appliance manufacturer, put together some of the best minds in the Italian auto industry, including Ferrari 250GTO designer Giotto Bizzarrini, and a young Giorgetto Giugiaro, then with Bertone. This car was a part of the Sports Car market magazine and was a personal driver of Publisher Keith Martin two or three years ago. This particular car was delivered new in Belgium, but quickly found its way to Southern California where it lived the majority of its life. As a result, the car escaped the fate of most of the 799 Rivoltas built. Most ISOs suffer from terminal rust and this car has very minimal rust (have many pictures upon request).

Very rare and hard to find car with original floor panels that are in good shape. The exterior of the car has a older re-spray (deep metallic maroon) that has still a great shine and is very presentable. The sides are straight and the panel gaps quite good. There are a few minor dings and some minor scratches. The rear bumper is a bit tweaked. The “horseshoe emblem" that was on the grill is missing. But overall the car is all there. The leather seats (brown), headliner, dash, and wood is in very good, original condition. A few of the seams on the drivers seat that have separated. The floor mats are in the trunk. and the power windows also work very well.

Under the hood, everything appears to be original with numbers matching per the chassis plate, and the original Iso air cleaner with its Iso numbers stamped on it. The motor is the original 327/300 hp Chevrolet V8. It runs extremely well and cool with excellent power, no smoke or funny noises, includes smog pump and hoses connected to the engine. The ISO goes down the road and stops straight. Recently rebuilt steering box and feels very tight. The car comes with four new gas shocks. The De Dion rear axle was rebuilt and bearings replaced Also the Hurst shift linkage comes with the car so is the jack and the spare. Also has chrome hub caps. The car is a great highway cruiser. With its 2.99 rear end, it is incredibly long-legged. These cars were built to go 140mph and this one is capable of 60mph in first gear. Showing 38,420 km turned over once = 138,420 (86,010 miles) on the odometer and believed to be original.

The car comes with reams of documents, receipts, club literature, and rare factory brochures and manuals. All irreplaceable stuff. This Iso is a VERY SOLID and is in above average drivers quality condition. I would not hesitate to drive this Iso on a 2,000 mile road trip!

Given the relative obscurity of the Iso name amongst collectors, one can imagine values on this grand touring coupe are cheaper than the comparable Ferraris, Lancias and Lamborghinis of the day. Solid runners can command anywhere between $30,000 to $50,000 these days. Given this car's originality and documentation, I'd suspect the reserve is set at least in the mid $40,000 range, with the seller hoping to gain an extra $10,000 to $20,000 over that.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1970 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Super

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The Alfa Romeo Giulia was the quintessential sports sedan of its time and is revered by Alfisti today, as it packs a lot of character into a small package. This particular Giulia is a 1600 Super, a model which was never sold in the US. Shipped over to the US in 2006, this is believed to be the only example of its kind on these shores. Quite simply, this is one of the most original examples of a Giulia that I have ever seen.

1970 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Super

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Alfa people always recomend that you should get the best example that you can find. If you are thinking about getting a Giulia Sedan, then this would be it! A genuine 'survivor' car with 58,317 kms that has been lovingly kept by 2 owners. Alfa only made the 1600 S model for the home market and produced just 2212 units. I believe that this is the only example in the US.

Its first owner lived in Florence, Italy. He kept the car out of the elements and preserved it for 36 years. In 2006 I bought it thru a German broker and had it shipped to California. Still had her first set of tires - Michelin 165-14. After a quick clean up, I took her to the Concourso Italiano in Monterey where the car took the "Best Alfa" award out of 125 Alfas present. They had never seen such an untouched survivor. Original documents are in hand.

Since then I have kept her in great shape. New clutch, main seals, muffler, brakes, fuel pump and lines, ball joints and tires (165-14 Vredestein). She has been to many club events and shows usually winning first in class or best of show awards. She drives beautifully and easily makes a 90 mile trip to an event at freeway speeds.

The paint is factory Verde Muschio (moss green) and is 90% original. There has been a repaint on the front right fender and some touch up on the right rocker from her time in Italy. Also a minor dent in the right rear door from that time. There is no sign of chassis damage or rust.

Interior is all stock and original including the optional wool cloth seats and the dealer installed Mitsubishi AM cassette radio and electric antenna. It came with dealer floor matts in red which I saved and now wears NOS tan wintermatts from Italy. All of the rubber seals are original and in great condition. The doors open and close like new. Dealer provided key fob and spare bulb/fuse kit. Plates are repros of the original ones.

Cars like this Giulia have me contemplating selling my current ride for a practical classic such as this. I live in an urban area and drive but a few thousand miles per year, so it would be more practical for me than most individuals. Average examples of these Giulias usually run anywhere from $7,000 to $15,000, but I reckon if the reserve is met, this one will probably wind up somewhere in the $20,000 range. This example is a textbook example of a survivor.

-Paul

Maserati

1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder 4.7

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While we featured a Maserati Ghibli a few days ago on CICFS, it was the more common hardtop variant. Out of the 1,274 Ghiblis ever produced, only 125 had their roofs chopped off beginning with the 1969 model year. This example for sale in The Netherlands is one of the original 125 produced and has had three owners. It has benefitted from a restoration but retains its original interior.

1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder 4.7

This is a rare and original Maserati Ghibli Spyder, chassis number 1161st (an example of only 125 cars produced). This car has had three owners and has been driven 41,000 original miles. A few years ago, the car was completely restored and technically gone over. The car has the original engine (matching numbers) and Borrani chrome wire wheels. The bodywork is immaculate, mechanically it is 100% and drives fabulous. The interior is completely original and in beautiful condition. In summary, a unique and rare vehicle in beautiful condition.

Hardtop Ghiblis in good nick usually hover around the $100,000 mark, but the Spyder is an altogether different proposition. This is one of the nicest Ghiblis I’ve seen on the market as of late, and its price reflects that. I’m not certain how fast this car will move at over $400,000 USD, as recent auctions have set the bar for the Ghibli Spyder around $275,000 to $350,000. Even though some hardtops were converted to Spyders over the years, as in most cases, the originals will always command more money than the copies. In this stunning shade of blue, this Ghibli is a triumph of Italian design and engineering in one arrested package.

-Paul

Fiat

1970 Fiat 500L

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With the reintroduction of Fiat to the United States market in the form of the 500, let's take a look at the car's spiritual predecessor, the (original) Fiat 500, or Cinquecento. Designed by Dante Giacosa and introduced in July 1957, the 500 was Italy's answer to the Volkswagen Beetle. It was designed as a car for the masses and to be simple to maintain and repair. With a 479 cc air cooled two cylinder engine, it produced a paltry 13 horsepower.

By the time the L, or Lusso, version arrived, the engine was pumping out 17 horsepower. This doesn't sound like much, but keep in mind these vehicles weighed slightly over 1,000 lbs. The L included a redesigned dashboard and other interior upgrades. In 1975, the original 500 was eclipsed by the Fiat 126, but this diminutive little car was emblazoned in the hearts and minds of the Italian car buying public. It's a testament to their staying power that you still see Italians driving them around city streets and collectors the world over clamoring for well preserved examples.

This 1970 500L is for sale from a specialist in Boston and is in quite good shape and looks sharp in cream white.

1970 Fiat 500L

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This is a very clean, classic Fiat 500 L. This car was hand-picked in Parma, Italy and vetted by mechanics in both Italy and Boston. It comes with a new interior and a clear Massachusetts title. We have been importing vintage Fiat 500s for over 15 years. We take the necessary time and expense to go through each of the cars we import to not only make sure that they run properly when they are purchased but for the long term. Our cars are not the least expensive.

What most people don't realize is that these cars are 40+ old. Even though Fiat manufactured 4 million of them and built them to be driven "into the ground" just because they seem fine and look nice and shiny when you drive them away, doesn't mean that they will remain that way for long. There are several components of the engine, transmission, suspension and brake system that have to be checked and there are almost always worn or cracked parts (most commonly rubber components) that must be replaced for both the safety and long term enjoyment of the car.

Certain areas of these cars are also prone to rust. Rust that can be easily hidden by new "under carriage coating" or painted over. We make sure that all of our Fiats are safe for their new owners and if properly maintained will remain that way for the foreseeable future.

The asking price of $16,000 is a bit dear for what was originally intended as a people's car. These aren't the most ideal cars for long haul travel, so use would be rather limited to around town trips and short jaunts on the highway. The recent service and restored interior certainly makes this an attractive piece, but this car is approaching new Fiat 500 money. What price nostalgia, then?

-Paul

Ferrari, Fiat

1970 Fiat Dino Bertone Coupe 2.4L

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Another great offering from Sports Car Shop in Eugene, Oregon. With my very brief time behind the wheel, this car drove very nicely for a car of it's age. This particular example has had a respray and also had the bumpers and moldings shaved, making for a very clean look. Considering it's pedigree, it represents a pretty damn good value I think! Bidding has been brisk, so don't delay.

quote from seller's listing:

According to some publications only 387 of these understated but attractive 4 cam 2.4 liter Dino coupes were produced for the entire world. A spectacular Ferrari drivetrain in a sheep’s body. Unlike the 2 liters, all of the 2.4 liter cars were made in house at Ferrari and supplied the exact same and more robust 2.4 180 hp engine that was fitted to the 246 Dino. This V6 power is transmitted thru a ZF 5 speed gearbox . The four wheel Girling brakes for the 2.4s were shared with the De Tomaso Pantera and the Lamborghini Miura. This is the most desirable Dino coupe model as it has incorporated many improvements and the cast iron block 4 cam engine makes more power and torque than the earlier 2 liter. Rear suspension was also upgraded on the 2.4 cars. This is universally agreed to be the best and most durable version of the Dino Coupes.

As I've mentioned previously, I take most of the pictures for Sports Car Shop and I maintain their website. However, I do not represent their inventory or business with this blog post.

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