1966 Iso

A wonderful example of this most charismatic Sixties sports coupe that was delivered new to the legendary Mike Hailwood. A hugely talented racer on both two wheels and four ‘Mike the Bike’ was described by Murray Walker as ‘the greatest motorcycle rider who ever lived’. He won nine motorcycle World Championships between 1961 and 1967 then was enticed to four wheels by friend and mentor the late John Surtees where he became European Formula 2 Champion, he was on his way to Formula One success before a career ending accident at the Nurburgring in 1974. Finding retirement rather boring he returned to the Isle of Man in 1978 and amazingly won the TT race of that year.Finished in Bianca Polo Park with a red leather interior this is an early example of only 25 Grifo Series One’s built in right hand drive. Featuring the small block 327 V8 with the Borg-Warner four speed manual gearbox, the car was completed in December 1966 as noted in the certificate on file in the very comprehensive history files.The car was delivered when new to Mike Hailwood, (the reigning 250cc motorcycle Champion at the time) in South Africa. He clearly enjoyed the Grifo as noted in a number of photographs on file both in South Africa and in the UK, the car returning to these shores in 1970. Mike was clearly impressed with the Grifo as he went on to buy a second example, a Series Two model finished in Canary Yellow. However, an accident near Durban involving a cow in the road left the car in a rather mangled state, although Mike and his passenger got away with superficial injuries from flying glass.Since its return to the UK this Grifo has been enjoyed by a number of marque enthusiasts who have each devoted much time to the upkeep and restoration of the car. Comprehensive documentation on file details the life of the car in correspondence and invoicing. It is well known to the Iso Register and is documented within.This rare example with great provenance is in superb order in all respects and drives as only a well sorted example can.