1968 Iso Rivolta IR 300 Project

Iso was a short-lived Italian automaker. They were kind of like DeTomaso, except on steroids. They do have one utterly timeless vehicle under the belts: the 1953 Isetta microcar. But in the 1960s, they turned to making cars that rivaled Fiat and Maserati more than anything else.

The IR 300 was produced from 1962-1970. The seller of this example says it was built in 1963, but titled in 1968, and is the 51st example built.

Styling is classic 1960s gran turismo, with a forward leaning front, round headlights, hood scoop, large greenhouse glass, and squared off rear with subtle taillights. The chrome, wheels and Michelin tires all look good.

The seller says this example has been in Dallas and owned by the same person for the last 30 years.

Cosmetically, there are quite a few flaws, most noticeably the edge of the front hood. Inside, the carpeting is stripped and the front floors seem to have some repair done. The seller says the rear floors are "a little weak".

Mechanically, they have swapped in a 350 Chevrolet engine in place of the 327, but say the original is included in the sale. They do say the new engine was rebuilt and is running and driving. They also added rack and pinion steering.

This IR 300 was intended to be a sleek, comfortable and powerful long-distance cruiser. It really only works if it's in showroom shape. The cosmetic flaws will need to be addressed, along with some mechanical sorting. But it seems like a lot of the work is done, and it's not too far from completion. The seller adds it has a clear Texas title ready to go.

Available here on ebay in Dallas, Texas with 5 bids at $14,300 but reserve not met.

1960 BMW Isetta 600

BMW actually did not create the Isetta. It was originally created in 1953 by an Italian firm called Iso. Isetta meant "little Iso". Iso made refrigerators and scooters, and the Isetta is, in some ways, a combination of the two, being a tiny box with a tiny engine. In fact, Iso used their scooter engine in early models.

The original Isetta was just a small three-seat vehicle with three wheels, and a rear-mounted engine that powered the rear wheels. The car had just one door: the entire front of the car opened up for easy access in and out. It was a hit at the 1953 Turin Motor Show, and is an uplifting example of the good ways Europeans can use their technological prowess in the post-war years.

Since post-war Western Europe was still re-building together under the Marshall Plan, a greater sense of community emerged, and the Isetta was licensed for production beyond Italy in several other nations. Which brings us to BMW.

In typical German fashion, BMW thoroughly re-worked the Isetta inside and out. The most significant changes were a new four-stroke, 1-cylinder engine from their motorcycles, some cosmetic touches and new suspension. Sales took off, becoming the the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world.

In 1957, they launched an all-new bigger body style, the 600. This featured a stretched chassis, four wheels, a second row of seating and an additional door on the side to access the rear seats.

Power came from a 582cc flat twin engine that produced 19.5 horsepower. Rear suspension was a sophisticated semi-trailing arm and was used on almost every production BMW until 1984, when it was replaced by the Z-axle multi-link suspension.

Only 34,813 were built until 1959.

This immaculate and immensely charming example is finished in two-tone white roof and pale yellow body. The seller says the only cosmetic flaws are a dash lip seal that does not align to the windshield and a small crack on the door wing. The seller doesn't say if this is all-original or a restoration, but it's amazing either way.

Mechanically, they say it starts, idles smoothly, shifts well and accelerates fine.

This is a unique piece of European automaking history. Not many were made, none were sold in North America, and very few are in this kind of pristine condition. It was an innovative car then, and it still impresses today as a feat of engineering and aesthetics.

Available here on ebay in Laramie, Wyoming with bidding at $17,600 and a Buy-It-Now of $45,750.

1 of 192: 1969 Iso Rivolta Fidia

Feast your eyes on this!

In the late 1960s, Italian automakers were trying to catch up with the Germans in the race for the perfect upscale executive sedan. Mercedes-Benz had already mastered this segment, but their cars still wore a conservative, upright styling that, while now timeless and classic, was to be outdone at the time. The Italians already had an edge in the supercar segment, practically inventing the wedge with Gandini's iconic Alfa Romeo Carabo in 1968.

For the Iso Fidia, they asked up and coming designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, then of Ghia, to design their flagship sedan. Iso was an edgy post-war manufacturer who created the legendary Isetta bubble car. In the 60s and 70s, they turned to performance oriented sports cars, before launching the Fidia.

Giugiaro delivered. The Fidia wears a long and low shape that is well-proportioned and balanced, especially from the side. The front is a little less graceful and more muscular with quad square sealed-beam headlights (complete with French yellow driving lamps). The greenhouse is large and inviting, and the window profile swoopy. The whole thing is very sexy and somewhat ahead of it's time, as this shape is currently being revived to a degree in the Fisker Karma.

Inside, occupants are treated to polished wood and hand-stitched leather. This is the pre-'71 update interior, so the dashboard is clearer and less cluttered. The white-on-black guages and wood-and-aluminum steering wheel are pitch-perfect here.

Like the DeTomaso Pantera the Fidia engine was sourced elsewhere and had either Chevrolet or Ford V8 engines under the hood. Pre-'73 cars such as this one feature a 5358cc Chevrolet V8 that propelled the 3,483 lb. car to 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds, which is remarkable for the time and still really impressive today. Italy didn't have any Autobahn, but a day trip away and this could be seen ripping along speed-limitless highway.

Iso only made 192 Fidia before the firm went bankrupt in 1974.

This ultra-rare survivor is found in California where the seller says it has been for the past 30 years. Cosmetically, they say it was repainted once but does have rust, cracks, and fading. Mechanically, they say 350 HO engine has been rebuilt. It's mated to a 4-speed Borg Warner transmission.

The classic car elite see sedans as less collectible, but with a Giugiaro-carved body, big V8 power and super-low production numbers, this Iso Fidia definitely bucks that trend.

Available here on ebay with 12 bids at $8,400 and reserve not met.