Iso Rivolta

Iso Rivolta History

The motor company Iso Rivolta was initially named Isothermos and used to manufacture refrigeration units. The company was originally founded in Genoa in 1939 by Renzo Rivolta, an engineer.

Together with the engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, the designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and the body-experts of Bertone, Renzo Rivolta began developing the classic Iso Rivolta IR 300 an elegant 2 + 2 Coupé with well-balanced technical components and outstanding driving performance the 5.4L V8 Chevrolet Small Block engine came from General Motors in Detroit America and the braking system 4 disc brakes (just in case you wanted to stop) came from the large Jaguars of the time. This concept was maintained for almost all production cars of Iso.

The picture below shows the 205VR15 CN72 CINTURATO ™ HS tyre that PIRELLI put into production in 1964, which was original equipment for the Iso Rivolta. On either side of this tyre are more modern 70% profile tyre sizes that are often fitted by mistake. On the left is a 205/70VR15, which is far too small in diameter, and on the right is a 215/70VR15 which is closer in dimensions and would also be a good tyre for the Iso Rivolta. Some cars that fitted the 205VR15 CINTURATO ™ changed to the 215/70VR15 tyre when the low profile tyre was developed at the beginning of the 1970's

Starting in 1971, Ford 351 Cleveland engines replaced the General Motors small block.

After the sudden death of Renzo Rivolta, his son Piero became the director of Iso Rivolta in 1966. Under his leadership, Iso built the limousine Fidia, "the fastest four seats on wheels" so the adverts said, with bodywork by Ghia. Iso Rivolta went bankrupt in 1974, only 1700 Iso Gran Turismos had been built in those ten years.