In 1962, the bubblecar manufacturer Iso made a significant leap into the realm of supercar production when they unveiled the Rivolta coupé, designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, at the Turin Motor Show. The design of this inaugural supercar was orchestrated by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Carrozzeria Bertone, and it set the blueprint for Iso’s subsequent supercar offerings: Bizzarrini-engineered chassis, Bertone-crafted bodywork, and Chevrolet engines. However, when Iso decided to create the long-wheelbase Fidia four-door saloon, they turned to Carrozzeria Ghia, where the design was entrusted to the newly recruited Giugiaro.
The Fidia, boasting a 150mm longer wheelbase than its two-door counterpart, the Rivolta, offered a more practical and spacious alternative. Initially, it was equipped with Chevrolet engines ranging from 5.4 to 5.7 liters. The final iteration of the Fidia featured a robust 5.8-liter Ford V8 engine under the hood. Despite its luxurious specifications and the high costs associated with its development, the hand-crafted Fidia carried a price tag surpassing that of a Rolls-Royce.
Between 1968 and 1974, when Iso ceased production of all its models, only 192 Fidia vehicles were manufactured. Notably, the second Fidia produced, and the first with right-hand drive, was acquired by the famous musician John Lennon, adding to the car’s cachet among high-profile celebrities.
Source: Bonhams Cars
