Description
The ISO Grifo 7 Litri Coupé was the most audacious and powerful expression of the ISO philosophy — a grand tourer that combined Italian design perfection with raw, unfiltered American muscle. Introduced in 1968, the 7 Litri was the evolution of the already formidable Grifo GL series, and it took the model into new territory: this was not just a fast car, but one of the fastest road-going automobiles of its age. Beneath its sculpted Giugiaro bodywork lay a colossal 7.0-litre Chevrolet V8, giving the car performance figures that bordered on the unbelievable for the late 1960s. The result was an Italian masterpiece with the brawn of a Corvette and the elegance of a Bertone sculpture — a car that could outpace Ferraris and Lamborghinis while maintaining the calm refinement of a luxury coupé.
The creation of the 7 Litri was a direct response to customer demand. The earlier Grifo GL 300 and GL 350 had already established ISO Rivolta as a serious player in the high-performance GT market, but for many buyers, power was never enough. Rivolta’s clientele included wealthy enthusiasts from America and Europe who wanted a car that could match or exceed the fastest exotics on the road. Renzo Rivolta and his engineers realised that ISO’s formula — Italian chassis and design mated to a reliable American engine — could be pushed much further. And so the company turned again to Chevrolet, this time selecting its most fearsome power unit: the Corvette’s big-block 427 cubic inch (7.0-litre) V8.
This engine, in its standard configuration, produced around 435 horsepower and a mountainous 460 lb-ft of torque. ISO offered it in both solid-lifter and hydraulic-lifter versions, depending on the buyer’s preference for outright performance or greater refinement. The gearbox options included a close-ratio four-speed manual or a GM Turbo-Hydramatic automatic, and the rear axle used a limited-slip differential to help tame the immense torque. With the manual transmission, the Grifo 7 Litri could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just over five seconds and reach a top speed of around 280 km/h (174 mph) — performance that placed it firmly among the world’s elite supercars, and ahead of many pure sports machines of its time.
The chassis, derived from the proven structure of the earlier Grifo models, was reinforced to cope with the extra power and weight of the big-block engine. The pressed-steel monocoque was immensely strong, with additional bracing in the front subframe. Suspension followed the same sophisticated layout that had earned the Grifo its reputation for impeccable road manners: independent front suspension with unequal-length wishbones and coil springs, and a de Dion rear axle with twin trailing arms, a Watts linkage, and inboard disc brakes. The four-wheel disc braking system was upgraded with larger, ventilated rotors, ensuring that the car could be brought under control from its enormous speeds with authority. Power steering and optional air conditioning completed the package, making the 7 Litri not only devastatingly fast but surprisingly civilised to drive.
Visually, the 7 Litri retained Giugiaro’s breathtaking lines — the long bonnet, low roof, and compact tail that had defined the Grifo from its inception — but it gained subtle details that reflected its increased aggression. A large “penthouse”-style power bulge was added to the bonnet to clear the tall intake manifold of the 7-litre engine, instantly distinguishing it from the smaller-engined versions. Wider wheels and tyres filled the arches, enhancing the car’s stance and grip. Otherwise, the design remained a model of balance and purity, with proportions that many consider among the finest ever achieved in automotive design. The car’s low, wide silhouette and taut surfaces gave it the look of restrained menace — a grand tourer that wore its power with quiet confidence.
Inside, the 7 Litri Coupé preserved the understated elegance that was ISO’s hallmark. The cabin featured luxurious Connolly leather upholstery, a walnut-veneered dashboard filled with Veglia instruments, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. The driving position was low and commanding, with excellent visibility and long-legged comfort. The gear lever fell naturally to hand, and the light clutch and power-assisted steering made the car remarkably usable despite its enormous performance. With its well-padded seats, deep carpeting, and effective ventilation, the Grifo was as comfortable on a thousand-kilometre journey as it was thrilling on a mountain pass. It was a car that could be driven hard all day and still deliver its occupants to dinner in quiet luxury.
On the road, the ISO Grifo 7 Litri was nothing short of exhilarating. The big-block V8 provided immense, turbine-like thrust from idle, its deep, resonant growl building into a ferocious bellow as the revs climbed. Yet the car’s refinement and stability were such that its speed often went unnoticed until the scenery blurred. The chassis remained beautifully balanced, the suspension composed even on rough surfaces, and the steering precise and communicative. Unlike many supercars of the era, the 7 Litri was not temperamental — its American mechanicals were robust and easy to maintain, allowing owners to exploit its performance with confidence. The car’s blend of speed, control, and refinement made it one of the great long-distance express machines of its time.
Contemporary reviewers were astonished by its capabilities. Autocar magazine described the 7 Litri as “a masterpiece of power and grace,” noting its ability to combine brutal acceleration with limousine-like composure. Road & Track called it “a car of contradictions that works in perfect harmony — thunderous yet silent, muscular yet elegant.” It could humble Ferraris and Lamborghinis in straight-line speed, yet it carried itself with far more restraint and sophistication.
Production of the Grifo 7 Litri was limited, as each car was hand-assembled at ISO’s Bresso factory near Milan. Between 1968 and 1970, only about 90 examples were built, making it one of the rarest and most desirable Grifos ever produced. Each was tailored to its owner’s specifications, with unique combinations of paint, trim, and mechanical options. The 7 Litri marked the zenith of the original Grifo series — before the introduction of the later Series II models in 1970, which featured revised styling and, eventually, Ford-sourced engines under the new De Tomaso ownership.
Today, the ISO Grifo 7 Litri Coupé stands among the most revered grand tourers of the 1960s — a car that represents the absolute peak of ISO Rivolta’s engineering and design prowess. Collectors and historians regard it as one of the greatest examples of the Italian–American hybrid philosophy: a machine that captured the beauty and precision of Italian craftsmanship while harnessing the raw, effortless power of the American muscle car.
The ISO Grifo 7 Litri Coupé remains a masterpiece of restrained extravagance — a car that radiates both elegance and danger. Its timeless proportions, thunderous V8, and flawless engineering make it a symbol of an era when performance and grace coexisted in perfect balance. To drive one is to experience the essence of the grand touring dream: infinite power delivered with infinite poise.