1972 Iso Rivolta Lele
Vendor supplied images
Highlights
- Restored bodywork and interior
- Early Ford Cleveland V8 car
- Popular colour scheme
- Delightful cream Corduroy interior
- Rare manual gearbox car
- One of only 285 Lele ever built
The Appeal
If you can’t beat them, join them. That was clearly Iso’s thinking when it saw the new Lamborghini Espada. Deciding it needed to compete, the firm commissioned Gandini, the Espada’s designer, to create an Iso version.
The resulting Lele channels the aura of the Espada but is very much its own car. Cleverly detailed and equipped with Chevrolet and then, latterly Ford V8 engines, there are few more stylish ways to transport four people quickly across country.
Which is something only a very few got the chance to experience because just 285 Leles left the factory. Of those, only 165 were Ford-engined models like this one. Believed to be the 9th Cleveland-engined Lele built, it has recently been comprehensively restored across bodywork and interior.
It is naturally in superb condition, the corduroy interior being a particular delight. This car’s rarity is further enhanced by its five speed manual gearbox. It would enhance any collection.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in Italy on 14th July 1972 according to Iso Registry records
- Believed to be the 9th Ford-engined car built according to the same records
- The final Lele chassis was number 299
- Of the 299 several were uncompleted cars and some missed, giving 285 cars
- Factory fitted with air conditioning
- Four-page magazine feature on this car
- Bodywork restored and resprayed and interior retrimmed and documented in photographs
- Believed original corduroy-trimmed car which we understand was a rare factory option
- Car has Czech documents
- ASI certification
- Various history documents shown in photographs
The Condition
- Very smart mid-blue metallic paintwork recently resprayed to a high standard
- Cream retrimmed corduroy interior in very good condition
- Factory standard car including attractive Campagnolo alloys on Michelin XWX rubber
- Well presented interior with good switchgear and unmarked veneers
- Chromework in very good order with bright finish and good fit
- Jaeger dials and V Funk radio cassette
- Blue carpets retrimmed during restoration to a high standard
- Three-spoke wood-rimmed wheel
Penned by Gandini as an airy four-seater, the Lele is widely acknowledged as one of the prettiest GTs of the late 1960s. This car looks particularly compelling in light metallic blue, which was recently applied as part of a high-end restoration, which is documented in the photographs.
But it is this car’s retrimmed cream corduroy interior that is surely its coup de grace. It is exquisite, a wonderful alternative to the more common leather finishes that left the Iso factory. It adds an extra layer of style to an already attractive interior, mixing with wood veneers in a glassy, airy cabin to create a wonderful space in which to relax and travel.
Inside and out this car is in exceptionally good condition, reflecting the quality and recency of the work.
The Mechanics
- 5,736cc Ford Cleveland V8 engine
- 5spd manual gearbox
- One of only 165 Ford-engined cars and believed to be the 9th built
- Specification independently verified by the Iso Registry of chassis records
- We have no reports of any mechanical issues
The appeal of Isos when new was that the superb Bizzarini-engineered chassis was combined with reliable, crated Detroit iron. Not for Iso customers the histrionics of hand-built Italian engines.
These engines were allegedly fully rebuilt by Iso before being installed. The first 120 Lele had Chevrolet power before supply issues resulted in a switch to Ford. The Cleveland V8 was slowly introduced alongside the Chevy motor before a wholesale shift in mid-1972. This car appears to have been the 9th Ford-powered car built and one of the earliest assembled once Chevrolet power had been switched off. It also has the desirable 5spd manual gearbox.
Only 165 Ford-engined cars were built, which makes this car special on many levels. We have no reports of any mechanical issues and it appears to be well maintained with a particularly well-kept engine bay.
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1972
- Make Iso
- Model Lele
- Colour Blue
- Odometer 52,828 Kilometres
- Engine size 5736
Listing Details
- Seller type Trade
- Town Pisek
- Location International
- Country Czechia
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