Unquestionably a car that you don’t often come across is this very representation shown here, a 1973 Iso Rivolta Lele Serie II. Just recently, Italian car and motorbike manufacturer, Iso Automotoveicoli S.p.A. (Now known as Iso Rivolta) announced their latest model at the 2021 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, known as the GTZ. The GTZ is their first model since the Iso Grifo 96 of 1996. Before that, the company built the Lele IR6 from 1972-1974, the Lele 300/350 from 1969-1972, the Fidia IR10 from 1972-1974, the Fidia S4 300/350 from 1968-1972, the Grifo 7 Litri from 1968-1970, the Grifo IR8 from 1972-1974, the Grifo Lusso GL 300/340/350 from 1966-1972, the Grifo A3 L in 1964, the Rivolta IR 300/340/350 from 1963-1970, and their very first model, the Isetta, from 1953-1955, amongst other one-offs and concepts cars. The Lele model, which was first introduced during the 1969 New York International Auto Show as a way to compete with Lamborghini’s Espada model at the time, is named after Pietro Rivolta’s (son of Iso company founder and Italian engineer Renzo Rivolta) wife, Lele Rivolta. The 2+2 four seater sat between the ISO Grifo and the ISO Fidia in the model range, and the entire project was created as a Christmas gift to Rachelle ‘Lele’ Rivolta. The styling for the Lele model was done by famous Italian car designer, Marcello Gandini for the Italian coach building and design company, Carrozzeria Bertone. When the model first became available, it was equipped with a 350 hp (261 kW) General Motors V8, however, in 1972, after a dispute between Iso and GM, the decision was made to replace the Chevrolet engine with Ford's Cleveland V8 engine. The Lele features a double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs, and a de Dion layout with a Salisbury axle unit for the rear. The interior of the Lele offers leather upholstery, and comfort features such as air conditioning, power windows, and plush carpeting.
How many made? Around 135
Engine: 5,736 cc (5.7 L) Ford 351 V8
Debut: 1969 New York International Auto Show
Top speed: around 132mph
0-60mph: around 7.6 seconds
Photo Credit: german_oldtimer_spotter
Research: @rarecarsonly