Iso Parad

The Iso Parad is a unique prototype unveiled in 1957 by the Carrozzeria Fratelli Corna, a small Turin-based coachbuilder active in the 1950s and 1960s. Based on the Iso Isetta microcar platform, the Parad was an innovative attempt to reinterpret the compact vehicle as a more practical and family-oriented car. The Parad featured a two-door “giardinetta” (estate) body style with a ponton design, crafted from aluminum. The design is attributed to Giovanni Michelotti, the prominent Italian automotive designer known for his work with various manufacturers. The vehicle was showcased at the 1957 Turin Motor Show, where it garnered attention for its distinctive styling and functional reinterpretation of the Isetta. Despite the interest it attracted, the Iso Parad remained a one-off prototype and never entered production. The decision not to proceed with mass production was influenced by Renzo Rivolta, head of Iso Autoveicoli, who chose to shift the company’s focus from microcars to higher-end vehicles, such as the Iso Rivolta IR 300 introduced in 1962. The Carrozzeria Fratelli Corna was known for its craftsmanship in aluminum bodywork and collaborations with brands like Abarth, Moretti, and Intermeccanica. The Parad stands out as one of the few projects presented under Corna’s own name, highlighting the workshop’s ability to create complete and innovative vehicles.