This car is a time capsule from 1966 and is the definition of the term “Barn Find”. Never modified or molested in any way this car still has it’s original interior, engine, transmission, and running gear. The all aluminum body is in remarkably good condition. The car appears to have never been in an accident and the chassis is absolutely rust free. The body was painted once in the 1980’s. All the original factory undercoating and finishes are still on the chassis taking away all the guesswork for a future restoration.
The car offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience an Iso Daytona as it really was in 1966.
It is believed that Iso built no more than five Daytonas and only two open top cars. Both open top cars exist today, the sister car to this one has been restored for historic car racing in England. It is believed that this car is the only Iso Daytona left in original “as built” condition. 420587 is a Rivolta chassis number built on November 30, 1966 and delivered to it's first owner Mr. Treviso.
About the Iso Daytona
Italian industrial manufacturer Iso entered car production during the 1950’s with a series of “Bubble-cars” and motorcycles. In 1962 the company introduced the Rivolta. The company described the car as a “new concept of high-performance motoring” that combined Italian engineering and Bertone styling with a cheap and reliable American V8. While the original concept was a large four-seat, road-going tourer, several early chassis were converted into lightweight sports cars. One of these was the Rivolta Daytona, which was offered in both coupe and “Targa” versions. It is believed that only 2 were completed in the open top “Targa” configuration.
The Daytona was similar in concept to the Giotto Bizzarrini designed Iso Grifo and was conceived as a dual purpose race car that could also be used on the street. It was designed with racing as it’s primary function. The sophisticate chassis, lightweight aluminum body and powerful American V8 made for stunning performance.
Giotto Bizzarrini was involved with the initial design of the Daytona but left the company in late 1965. Renzo Rivolta continued with the project further developing the chassis and contracted Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini of the famous Modena carrozzeria Neri e Bonaccini (Nembo) to design and built the bodies. Bizzarrini continued to offer technical assistance to the project. The Daytona made its public debut at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1966 were it was greeted with great excitement.
Combining a lightweight aluminum body and sophisticated chassis with American power the Iso Daytona had incredible performance for the day. Front suspension is by double unequal length wishbones and coil spring/damper units. At the rear a de Dion axle is located by four-bar trailing arms and a Watts link with inboard disc brakes. Wheels are Campagnolo alloy knockoffs.
