Thursday 23rd March 2017

Iso Lele: Spotted

Want 70s Italian glamour on a (relative) budget? There's an alternative you may not know of...

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The rapid yet recent appreciation of certain classic cars is now well known across the automotive world. What's less well documented though is just how far the prices of super exotica have brought up everything else.

So while many are aware that the Miuras and Daytonas of this world have long since sky rocketed, the rise of those lower down the respective ranges has largely gone unnoticed. Examples? The £130K Lamborghini Espada, for one. And what of Maserati's alternative, the Khamsin? £150K for this - admittedly lovely - restored car. And a Ferrari 365 GTC/4? Quite a lot more...

But if you are after a 70s Italian 2+2 with all the style, speed and cool that's associated with the genre - who wouldn't be? - then the Iso Lele might be worth investigating.

The what? Well yes, it was a new one on us too. Named after the wife of Pierre Rivolta (son of company founder Renzo), according to the ad it was so called because Pierre promised her that Iso would be a full-line car company... It was sold as part of a three-car range that also included the Grifo and Fidia in the 70s, though only 285 were made in total. A full-line company in very small numbers then.

But that rarity is key to the Lele's appeal. At classic car events now there are typically few surprises, yet here is a car that's genuinely super rare for half the price of a left-hand drive E-Type. More than that the Iso has its steering wheel on the correct side too, of which 45 were produced and only half are believed to still exist. This is presumably one of the last ever made too, with production having ceased at the end of 1974 and this car registered in January '75.

It's hardly like this is a basket case barn find either. Said to have been recently recomissioned by its previous owner (which might be overselling it a bit), the fluids were refreshed, the suspension overhauled and a few parts replaced. The interior looks unrestored but the better for it, a few signs of wear proving it has been enjoyed over the past 40 years.

Alright, so maybe it's not the prettiest Italian GT ever made. The front end looks a rather solemn and the rear overhang is a bit long. But this is still a Bertone design, and certainly there are uglier cars out there. As the advert suggests, 'striking' may be the best word.

Still, as every motoring writer is required to say at this point, you can't see that when you're sat inside hammering down to the coastal resort of your choice. Like other Isos the Lele made use of an American V8 for propulsion duties, here a Ford lump that once made around 300hp or so. Enough for ample if not scintillating performance, particularly with that automatic 'box, though entirely in keeping with this car's more relaxed remit.

The Lele won't appeal to all tastes, of course. For some the rarity will mean not enough people know what it is, and the engine will look rather blue collar in the face of thoroughbred rivals. That being said, for being different to the norm and looking extremely good value at the moment, the Iso Lele certainly deserves at least 15 minutes of PH fame.

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ISO LELE
Engine: 5,736cc, V8
Transmission: 4-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): c.300@N/A rpm
Torque (lb ft): N/A
MPG: It was the 70s
CO2: See above
Recorded mileage: Er...
Year registered: 1975
Price new: £N/A
Price now: £49,950

See the original ad here.

Source: Wikipedia

[Twoshoe]

I really like that - had forgotten that they exist. Love the fact that some of the instruments (hopefully the less important ones!) sit in front of the passenger.

The wheels are beautiful - Campagnolo possibly?