Iso Rivolta Lele

The Iso Rivolta Lele was a sleek and elegant coupé produced by the Italian automaker Iso Rivolta between 1969 and 1974. Designed to rival prestigious models from Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati, it represented a bold step forward for the company under the leadership of Piero Rivolta, son of the founder Renzo. In the late 1960s, Iso needed a replacement for the aging IR 300/340, but the high costs of developing a new model posed significant challenges. The opportunity came in 1968, when a wealthy American client offered to finance much of the project in exchange for an exclusive, four-seat grand tourer with an Italian chassis and bodywork. The car was based on an updated IR 340 platform, and its design was entrusted to Marcello Gandini, the chief designer at Bertone. He delivered a striking fastback coupé, characterized by sharp lines and a sporty yet refined profile. The name “Lele” was chosen as a tribute to Piero Rivolta’s wife. The Lele debuted at the New York Auto Show in April 1969, where it drew attention from the press and secured enough orders to justify production. Its price was competitive, starting at 6,650,000 lire—lower than its rivals like the Lamborghini Islero and Maserati Mexico. This affordability was achieved by reusing the IR 300’s mechanical setup and equipping the car with a Chevrolet V8 engine, which was cost-effective yet powerful. Technically, the Lele featured a steel chassis, independent front suspension with double wishbones, a De Dion rear axle, and disc brakes on all four wheels. The Chevrolet V8 was offered in two configurations: a 5.4-liter engine with either 300 or 350 horsepower. By 1970, the engine capacity was increased to 5.7 liters, improving torque and overall drivability. In 1972, Iso switched to the Ford 351 Cleveland engine due to supply issues with General Motors. The Ford engine required modifications to the chassis but provided similar performance. Iso also introduced updates like new seats and minor styling changes. The sporty IR6 Sport and lightweight Marlboro editions followed, the latter developed to support Iso’s Formula 1 partnership. Production ended in December 1974 when Iso ceased operations, leaving the Lele as a symbol of innovation and Italian craftsmanship in the grand tourer segment.