1968 Iso Grifo – American Muscle in an Italian Suit

We spotted Don Murray’s gorgeous Iso Grifo coupe at his private collection in Irvine California, and wondered what it was. It was obviously Italian, based on its styling, and obviously a high-end touring car. In fact, it looked like a Bertone-designed Ferrrari, except for its unusual rectangular hood scoop called a pagoda, the like of which I had never seen before. Photographer Dave Gooley and I were there to do a Profile on another car, but this beauty stopped us in our tracks and demanded scrutiny, if not adoration.

I found out from Murray’s chief restorer Derrick Boycks that we were looking at a 1968 Iso Grifo. I had seen photos of Iso Grifos, but had never beheld one in person that I could remember. Dave and I got to work on our assignment to do a report on Don’s Sebring Sprite, but vowed to come back and drive the Grifo as soon as we could arrange it. We returned some weeks later and were handed the keys to this automotive masterpiece.