Description
The ISO Grifo GL 350 was the natural evolution of one of Italy’s most refined grand tourers—a car that embodied the effortless marriage of beauty, power, and craftsmanship that defined ISO Rivolta’s golden era. Introduced in 1966 as a more powerful development of the earlier GL 300, the Grifo GL 350 elevated performance and presence without disturbing the exquisite balance that had made its predecessor a legend. With its timeless Giugiaro design, Bizzarrini-engineered chassis, and uprated Chevrolet small-block V8, the GL 350 represented the pinnacle of understated sophistication in an age of flamboyant exotics. It was a car for connoisseurs who valued subtle mastery over ostentatious display—capable of crossing continents at high speed with the grace of a private jet.
Renzo Rivolta’s vision for ISO had always been to combine the best of two worlds: the elegance and handling finesse of an Italian GT with the reliability and effortless power of an American engine. The success of the Grifo GL 300 proved that formula beyond doubt, but some of Rivolta’s clientele wanted more—more performance, more refinement, more exclusivity. The GL 350 was ISO’s answer: a car that retained the same platform and design purity but delivered sharper performance and greater flexibility, thanks to a more potent version of the Chevrolet 327 cubic inch (5.4-litre) small-block V8.
The GL 350’s engine was tuned to deliver approximately 350 horsepower—hence the model designation—thanks to higher compression, improved carburation, and revised camshaft timing. It was paired with a close-ratio four-speed Borg-Warner gearbox as standard, with a five-speed ZF unit or automatic transmission available as options. The result was remarkable performance for a luxury GT: 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in under 6.5 seconds and a top speed approaching 250 km/h (155 mph). Yet, like all Grifos, the GL 350 achieved its speed not through frantic high-revving but through immense torque and mechanical serenity. The American V8 delivered a deep, effortless surge of power in any gear, accompanied by a subdued, velvety growl that seemed to underscore the car’s refined character rather than overwhelm it.
Beneath the surface, the GL 350 shared the same Bizzarrini-designed chassis that had made the Grifo one of the finest-handling GTs of its era. The pressed-steel monocoque body was strengthened by box-section reinforcements, giving the car outstanding rigidity and stability. Suspension was fully independent at the front with unequal-length wishbones and coil springs, while the rear featured the sophisticated de Dion axle layout with twin trailing arms, a Watts linkage, and inboard disc brakes. This configuration provided an ideal compromise between comfort and precision, delivering a supple ride on long journeys yet allowing the car to corner with astonishing balance and control. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes completed the package, making the Grifo as docile in city traffic as it was thrilling on mountain roads or the autostrada.
Externally, the ISO Grifo GL 350 remained almost identical to the GL 300—an acknowledgment that Giorgetto Giugiaro’s original design for Bertone was virtually perfect. The long, flowing bonnet, compact greenhouse, and short, muscular tail created proportions that were both athletic and harmonious. Every curve seemed to serve a purpose, and the car’s low, wide stance conveyed restrained power. The front end, with its twin headlights and narrow horizontal grille, retained the purposeful elegance that had become the Grifo’s signature. Chrome accents were used sparingly, emphasizing line and form rather than decoration. The car’s hand-built bodywork, executed by Bertone’s craftsmen, gave it a solidity and precision unmatched by mass-produced rivals. Even parked, the Grifo looked poised to surge forward, a sculpture of restrained motion.
Inside, the GL 350 offered the same refined and sumptuous cabin that defined ISO’s grand tourers. The interior was a masterclass in understated luxury: hand-stitched Connolly leather, polished walnut fascia, and finely detailed chrome switchgear. The large Veglia instruments were beautifully arranged across the dashboard, complemented by a three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel and a slim metal gear lever emerging from a leather gaiter. The driving position was near perfect, with excellent visibility and generous space. Unlike many sports cars of its era, the Grifo was genuinely comfortable on long journeys, its deep seats and excellent insulation making it as suitable for crossing Europe as for a spirited Sunday drive through the Dolomites. Optional extras included air conditioning, a Becker stereo, and power windows—features that underscored the car’s dual nature as both grand tourer and luxury automobile.
Behind the wheel, the ISO Grifo GL 350 was a revelation in balance and refinement. The car’s immense torque meant it could glide through traffic in third gear without effort, yet deliver fierce acceleration with a flick of the throttle. The steering was light but communicative, the chassis beautifully neutral, and the brakes powerful and progressive. Even at high speeds, the car felt unflappable—a credit to both its aerodynamic shape and its engineering integrity. The ride quality was supple, absorbing rough surfaces with composure while maintaining absolute control through fast corners. It was, in essence, a car that combined the civility of a luxury saloon with the performance of a race-bred GT.
Contemporary road tests praised the GL 350 for its remarkable poise and refinement. Autocar described it as “a car of great power and greater serenity,” while Road & Track admired its “blend of the exotic and the practical,” noting that it could “outrun most Ferraris while idling like a Cadillac.” These observations captured the Grifo’s unique character: a car that offered immense performance without demanding constant attention or sacrifice from its driver.
Production of the ISO Grifo GL 350 was limited, as each car was hand-built at ISO’s Bresso works near Milan. Between 1966 and 1970, only a few hundred examples were produced before the introduction of the even more powerful Grifo 7 Litri and the later Series II models. The GL 350 thus occupies a special place in the Grifo lineage—representing the peak of the original small-block cars, with the perfect balance of power, weight, and elegance before the shift toward larger, heavier engines.
Today, the ISO Grifo GL 350 is celebrated as one of the most refined and desirable of all the Grifos. Collectors admire its combination of purity and performance—the sweet spot where Giugiaro’s design, Bizzarrini’s engineering, and Rivolta’s philosophy aligned in perfect harmony. It remains one of the finest-driving GTs of its generation, equally at home on a concours lawn or the open road.
The ISO Grifo GL 350 was, and remains, a masterpiece of composure and proportion. It was a car that did not need to shout about its performance—it simply was performance, distilled into a form of timeless beauty. With its graceful lines, thunderous yet cultured V8, and unshakable poise, the Grifo GL 350 stands as one of the greatest expressions of the grand touring ideal—an Italian thoroughbred with an American heart, built for those who understood that true power speaks softly.