Devin C GT Special Coupe: The Forgotten Fiberglass Beauty of the 1950s

Sculpted Motion - There’s something magical about sports cars from the 1950s — a time when engineers and dreamers built machines guided by instinct rather than data. Among the rare creations of that golden era, the Devin C GT Special Coupe stands out as a beautiful mix of passion, innovation, and speed. It wasn’t born in a giant factory but in the workshop of Bill Devin, an American racer with a bold vision: to create world-class sports cars that were light, fast, and affordable. 

The 1955 Devin C GT Special Coupe displays its long, graceful front hood and smooth fiberglass curves that capture the pure essence of 1950s sports car design. (Picture from: Fahrzeuge.Rezbach.de)

Bill Devin’s company, Devin Enterprises, became famous for its lightweight fiberglass bodies. In an age when most cars were made of steel, Devin’s use of fiberglass was revolutionary. The material allowed him to sculpt smooth, aerodynamic forms that rivaled European exotics while keeping costs low. The Devin C GT Special, introduced in the late 1950s, was one of his most distinctive builds — a sleek coupe designed around the Chevrolet Corvair’s rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-six engine, giving it both agility and unique engineering character.

The 1955 Devin C GT Special Coupe stands poised under the light, its compact cabin and sweeping lines highlighting the craftsmanship and artistry of Bill Devin’s creation. (Picture from: Motorhead 101 in Facebook)

From the outside, the car looks like a piece of motion frozen in time. Its long, elegant hood stretches forward in a way that suggests front-engine power, even though the engine sits behind the driver. The front fascia is clean and minimalist — rounded fenders, subtle oval headlights, and a slim air intake that keeps the design graceful and aerodynamic. The roofline flows gently into a fastback tail, while the low stance and tight curves make the car appear ready to leap forward at any moment. 

The 1955 Devin C GT Special Coupe reveals a low, flowing side profile with perfectly balanced proportions that emphasize its racing-inspired stance. (Picture from: Motorhead 101 in Facebook)

Viewed from the rear, the Devin C GT Special is even more striking. The twin fins rise gracefully from the tail, framing a curved rear window that gives the car a jet-age flair. Beneath them lies the Corvair powerplant, cleverly hidden but ready to deliver its rear-wheel punch. The surface of the fiberglass body catches light beautifully, emphasizing every sculpted curve and making the car look alive under the sun. It’s the kind of design that feels both elegant and daring — unmistakably 1950s, yet timeless. 

The 1955 Devin C GT Special Coupe showcases its sculpted rear end with twin fins and rounded taillights, a signature look that blends elegance with aerodynamic intent. (Picture from: TraumAutoArchiv.de)

Although most Devin models were open-top racers, the C GT Special’s closed-roof coupe design gave it a distinct identity. It was rarer, sleeker, and perhaps a bit more mysterious. Every detail, from its proportions to its aerodynamic form, showed Devin’s deep understanding of what made a sports car not only perform but also captivate. Even without the roar of an engine, the car tells a story of craftsmanship and imagination that few vehicles of its era could match. Unfortunately, the video of this particular car is unavailable, but as an alternative, here’s a feature on another stunning Devin model. | mTNtty0zoYA |

Today, the Devin C GT Special Coupe remains one of the most fascinating independent sports cars ever built — not just because of its rarity, but because it represents something pure. It’s a reminder of an age when cars were born from dreams, not algorithms, and when beauty and speed shared the same heartbeat. More than six decades later, this handcrafted fiberglass coupe still turns heads, proving that true passion in design never goes out of style. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DEVINSPORTSCARSLLC | DEVINSPECIAL | FAHRZEUGE.REZBACH.DE | TRAUMAUTOARCHIV.DE | MOTORHEAD 101 IN FACEBOOK | WOAH! MUNGUS ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The One-Off Pagani Huayra by Hermès Is a True Work of Art on Wheels

Artisanal Velocity - When luxury meets art, something magical happens—especially when that meeting takes place between Italy’s finest automotive minds and one of France’s most iconic fashion houses. In a world where supercars often fight for attention with sheer horsepower and flashy designs, one masterpiece stands quietly apart: a one-off Pagani Huayra Codalunga Hermès Version, designed in collaboration with Hermès. It’s not just a car; it’s a rolling sculpture that embodies craftsmanship, rarity, and style at a level few creations ever reach. 

The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Hermès edition, designed in collaboration with Hermès, stands as a rolling sculpture that embodies unparalleled craftsmanship, rarity, and style. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Recently spotted gliding through the elegant streets of Paris in October 2024, this bespoke Pagani instantly drew attention with its mesmerizing teal-green hue. The color alone speaks volumes—serene yet powerful, deep yet luminous under the city’s light. Subtle white circular accents along the sides and the white rims give the car a modern, couture-like contrast, while the delicate white brake calipers add a finishing touch that feels almost poetic. It’s the kind of car that doesn’t just turn heads—it stops time for a moment. 

The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Hermès edition captivates with its mesmerizing teal-green hue that glows under city lights, enhanced by subtle white circular accents, matching rims, and delicate brake calipers that together create a modern, almost poetic contrast. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Pagani’s signature devotion to lightweight engineering is fully on display here. The Huayra Codalunga’s body is crafted almost entirely from carbon fiber, a material that gives the car its sleek form and unmatched strength. Beneath the hood, carbon fiber is beautifully exposed, revealing the precision of its structure like the bones of a masterpiece. Paired with titanium components, the car weighs a mere 2,822 pounds (about 1,200 kilograms). Even the exhaust system—made from titanium—tips the scales at just 9.7 pounds (4.3 kilograms). This is engineering obsession turned into an art form. 

The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Hermès edition features subtle white circular accents, matching rims, and delicate brake calipers that create a modern, couture-like contrast, giving it a presence so striking it seems to stop time itself. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Inside, Hermès’ unmistakable touch transforms the cockpit into something more akin to a designer’s atelier. The rich green theme from the exterior flows seamlessly into the cabin, wrapping the seats in supple Hermès leather that feels as luxurious as it looks. The center console and rear bulkhead feature elegant satin white fabric, balancing the bold green with refined contrast. Every stitch, every curve, every material seems chosen to evoke emotion rather than simply impress. 

The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Hermès edition envelopes its cabin in a designer’s atelier ambiance, where rich green Hermès leather flows from exterior to interior, complemented by satin white fabric that adds a refined touch of contrast. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

But beneath its artistic soul lies raw power. The car is propelled by the same monstrous 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine found in the regular Huayra, capable of unleashing up to 840 horsepower. This means that even though it’s dressed like haute couture, it moves like a bullet—marrying elegance and aggression in one seamless experience. 

The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Hermès edition showcases its engineering artistry with a titanium exhaust system weighing just 9.7 pounds (4.3 kilograms), turning mechanical precision into pure art. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

This particular Codalunga is not Pagani and Hermès’ first dance together. Years ago, they crafted a brown Hermès edition Huayra, which famously joined the collection of American car enthusiast Manny Khoshbin. Yet, this latest creation feels different—more mature, more poetic. It’s a reflection of how both brands have evolved, each continuing to push the limits of beauty and performance. 

The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Hermes Version is propelled by the same monstrous 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine found in the regular Huayra, capable of unleashing up to 840 horsepower. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Introduced in 2022, the Pagani Huayra Codalunga was already a symbol of exclusivity, with only five units ever made, each starting at around €7 million (roughly $7.5 million). But this one-off Hermès edition transcends even that small circle—it’s unique, never to be replicated, and built for a mysterious collector whose identity remains a secret.

@iamacarfanaticc

Green Pagani Huayra Codalunga just delivered in Paris 😳💚

♬ Diet Pepsi - Addison Rae

Seeing this masterpiece roaming Paris lately feels like a reminder that in an age of mass production and digital everything, true craftsmanship still matters. The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Hermès edition isn’t just transportation—it’s a statement. It represents what happens when passion, design, and artistry converge without compromise. And in a world that’s constantly moving faster, this one-off Italian supercar whispers a timeless truth: beauty, when crafted with soul, never goes out of style. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CULTURE GEMS IN X | BLACKXPERIENCE | CARVAGANZA ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

El Kineno: Harley Earl’s Legendary Custom Roadmaster

Ranch Royalty - There’s something fascinating about how car culture often circles back on itself. Today, people talk endlessly about crossovers and SUVs, praising them for being both practical and comfortable. Yet, long before these vehicles became mainstream, one very special car was already doing the job—an experimental blend of rugged durability and refined style. That car was the Buick Roadmaster Custom El Kineno, a one-off creation designed by Harley Earl, the legendary head of styling at General Motors.

The Buick Roadmaster Custom El Kineno. (Picture from: Buick Club of America in Facebook)

The story of the El Kineno begins on the wide-open fields of Texas, specifically at the King Ranch, one of the largest and most famous ranches in the United States. Richard Kleberg, who ran the ranch, needed a machine tough enough to handle dirt roads, scorching heat, and unpredictable terrain. At the same time, it had to look polished enough to carry important guests across the sprawling property. Instead of choosing a standard workhorse, he went to Harley Earl, a man already celebrated for reshaping automotive design with bold ideas like the Buick Y-Job and later GM’s iconic concept cars. Earl’s response was to create something that didn’t just fit the request—it reimagined what a car could be.

The Buick Roadmaster Custom El Kineno. (Picture from: Kustomrama)

Even its name carried meaning. The word Kineno comes from Spanish, used to describe the workers of King Ranch, often translated as “the King’s men” or “people of the King Ranch.” By calling the car El Kineno, Earl tied the vehicle directly to the identity and heritage of the ranch itself, making it more than just a mode of transportation—it became a symbol of the land and the lifestyle it served.

The Buick Roadmaster Custom El Kineno. (Picture from: Buick Club of America in Facebook)

The foundation of this unique build was a 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible, chosen as the donor car. Earl had the heavy-duty chassis reinforced and paired it with a modified 320-cubic-inch straight-eight engine, strong enough to power through the ranch’s dusty trails. To handle the Texas climate, a massive radiator and additional water tanks were installed. Special sealed brakes kept dust and sand from causing damage, while a tinted windshield cut down the glare of the relentless sun. Communication wasn’t forgotten either—the El Kineno carried a two-way radio telephone, a luxury feature that made it possible to call back to the ranch house without leaving the field. 

The Buick Roadmaster Custom El Kineno. (Picture from: Kustomrama)

What makes the El Kineno even more intriguing is the way it balanced utility with indulgence. Beyond its tough mechanical upgrades, it included touches that reflected the ranch lifestyle. Gun cases and ammo boxes were built in for hunting trips, dual spare tires were ready for the unexpected, and a fender seat gave extra space for passengers. As if that wasn’t enough, tucked into the back was a whiskey bar, a reminder that even in the rugged outdoors, a bit of comfort and sophistication was always welcome.

The Buick Roadmaster Custom El Kineno. (Picture from: Buick Club of America in Facebook)

Looking back now, it’s easy to see why this one-off Buick is often called a forerunner of the modern crossover or SUV. It was a luxury vehicle designed for rough conditions, offering versatility at a time when most cars were either utilitarian or elegant, but rarely both. In many ways, Harley Earl gave us a glimpse of an automotive category that wouldn’t fully take off until decades later. | ApaSih |

 

The El Kineno may not have rolled off assembly lines or reached showrooms, but that was never its purpose. It was a personal commission, a custom machine born out of a specific need and shaped by one of the greatest car designers in history. Today, as crossovers and SUVs dominate the market, the echoes of that bold experiment are still present. The comfort, durability, and multi-purpose spirit that drivers now expect from modern vehicles can all be traced back to Earl’s vision on that single Buick built for the King Ranch—a reminder that some of the most modern ideas often start in the past. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KUSTOMRAMA | BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA IN FACEBOOK | CLASSY CARS IN FACEBOOK | CONCEPTCARZ ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Stola GTS Concept: Where Italian Craftsmanship Meets Porsche Power

Crafted Power - There’s something almost magical about the world of concept cars — those rare creations that sit somewhere between engineering and art, never meant to blend into traffic but to challenge what a car can be. Every few years, one of these dream machines emerges, reminding us that creativity in the automotive world is far from extinct. Back in 2003, amid the glittering lights of the Geneva Motor Show, one such masterpiece stole the spotlight: the Stola GTS Concept — a car that beautifully bridged the golden age of Italian craftsmanship with the raw precision of German engineering. 

The Stola GTS Concept — a car that beautifully bridged the golden age of Italian craftsmanship with the raw precision of German engineering, unveiled at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Built by Stola S.p.A., a company with roots stretching all the way back to 1919, the GTS wasn’t just another experimental vehicle; it was a heartfelt tribute to the lost art of coachbuilding — a time when cars were hand-shaped by master craftsmen, not robots. At its core, the GTS started life as a Porsche Boxster, but that’s where the similarity ended. Stola stripped it down, reimagined it, and gave it new life — longer, lower, faster, and infinitely more expressive.

The Stola GTS Concept began as a Porsche Boxster but was completely transformed by Stola into something longer, lower, faster, and far more expressive. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

The design philosophy behind the GTS perfectly captured Stola’s motto: “No design!” That paradoxical phrase actually defined the company’s genius — they didn’t impose their own visual language; instead, they became the medium through which a designer’s vision came alive. The GTS embodied that philosophy with stunning precision. Its body was reshaped to slice through air more efficiently, its silhouette lower by four centimeters, and its profile stretched slightly for better balance. The result was a car that didn’t just look fast — it felt like it was born to move.

The Stola GTS Concept proudly displayed its racing soul with a blue-and-orange livery that paid homage to the endurance legends of the 1970s. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Visually, the Stola GTS wore its racing heart on its sleeve. Painted in blue and orange, it nodded respectfully to the endurance racing legends of the 1970s, when speed was raw, engines roared like wild beasts, and courage defined champions. Every curve and contour seemed to whisper a story from that era — a time when driving was visceral, not virtual. The front and rear spoilers, the sculpted fenders, and the aerodynamic flow were all modern interpretations of a nostalgic dream.

The Stola GTS Concept features a minimalist yet elegant interior with white leather sport seats, aluminum accents, and a driver-focused cockpit design. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Underneath that handcrafted exterior lay a monster of an engine — a 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six, fine-tuned to produce 480 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. For a car weighing just 1260 kilograms, that kind of power meant serious performance: 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed brushing 300 km/h. But Stola didn’t stop there. The suspension was reengineered, the brakes were upgraded with water cooling systems, and the chassis itself was strengthened to handle the surge of energy. This wasn’t a showpiece that only looked good on a turntable — it was fully capable of tearing up a racetrack.

The Stola GTS Concept was meticulously proportioned, measuring 4.47 meters in length, 1.78 meters in width, and standing just 1.25 meters tall. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Every dimension of the GTS was carefully considered. The body stretched 4.47 meters long, 1.78 meters wide, and sat just 1.25 meters tall. That low stance gave it an aggressive, purposeful attitude, while the extended wheelbase ensured stability at high speeds. Every millimeter had intent behind it — beauty, yes, but also balance.

 

Stola didn’t plan to mass-produce this gem. In true bespoke fashion, only three units were ever intended for creation, each handcrafted for clients who valued rarity over recognition. That decision wasn’t about exclusivity for its own sake — it was about preserving the purity of the idea. Each GTS would be a personal statement, a one-of-a-kind blend of past and future, form and function, elegance and edge.

The Stola GTS Concept housed a 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine beneath its handcrafted exterior, fine-tuned to unleash 480 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Today, looking back from 2025, the Stola GTS Concept feels even more special. In an age when cars are becoming smarter, quieter, and increasingly digital, the GTS stands as a defiant reminder of the passion that once fueled automotive dreams. It’s a symbol of what happens when tradition meets innovation — when the soul of Italian artistry embraces the discipline of German engineering. | 4GBcpwuPMgg |

The Stola GTS wasn’t built to fade into obscurity; it was crafted to be admired, studied, and remembered as one of those rare creations that prove cars can be far more than machines. It’s not merely a concept — it’s a story sculpted in metal, colored by history, and driven by imagination. Over the years, Stola has created many other remarkable sports cars, including the striking Stola S86 Diamante , the elegant Stola Phalcon Coupé and the innovative Stola Abarth Monotipo. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | STORY-CARS | ULTIMATECARPAGE ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Mazel Identity i1 Concept: A Spanish Supercar That Dared to Be Different

Fearless Innovation - In a time when most car makers play it safe, there are still those who believe that design should make your heart race before you even start the engine. In the mid-2000s, that belief found a voice in Barcelona — a city famous for its creative pulse and daring ideas. From that energy came something extraordinary: the Mazel Identity i1 Concept, a bold vision that wasn’t just about building another supercar, but about creating a whole new identity in the automotive world. 

The 2006 Mazel Identity i1 Concept designed by H2R Design Consulting, and brought to life by Mazel Group back in 2006. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

The Identity i1 was far more than a showpiece for the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. It was a statement — that even in a time dominated by established brands, innovation could still come from pure imagination. Behind its creation stood H2R Design Consulting, the creative force that developed the design entirely in Virtual Reality, and the MAZEL Group, who brought it to life in physical form. Both based in Barcelona, these teams showed that Spanish ingenuity could compete with the best of Europe’s design powerhouses.

 

But the magic didn’t stop there. The i1’s structure was a global collaboration. Its lightweight composite chassis was developed in partnership with ATR, a renowned Italian engineering company celebrated for its expertise in advanced materials. Meanwhile, the body-in-white — the stage where the car’s shape truly came alive — was executed by Studio Linea 2 in Turin, Italy, a city synonymous with automotive artistry. Together, these partnerships proved that the Identity i1 wasn’t just a design dream; it was a serious technical achievement built by some of Europe’s finest minds.

The 2006 Mazel Identity i1 Concept proportions spoke the universal language of speed: 4.43 meters long, 1.92 meters wide, and only 1.26 meters high. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

Underneath its sleek skin rested an aluminum V8 engine, mid-mounted to achieve perfect balance and stability. Delivering 487 horsepower to the rear wheels through a robotized six-speed automatic gearbox, the i1 promised both power and precision. Every element was chosen to optimize performance while keeping weight down — a delicate harmony that every great sports car must master.

 

Its proportions spoke the universal language of speed: 4.43 meters long, 1.92 meters wide, and only 1.26 meters high. This low-slung profile, combined with 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, gave the car an unmistakable stance — wide, planted, and athletic. The front design borrowed cues from aeronautical engineering, with three sculpted volumes and deep air intakes that weren’t just aesthetic but functional, feeding air to the brakes and engine bay.

The Mazel Identity i1 Concept redefined expectations inside with a two-seat cabin that balanced sporty elegance and a sense of spacious simplicity. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

Along its sides, the car revealed another layer of creativity. The body panels combined modern design language with timeless European sensibilities, resulting in a shape that felt familiar yet futuristic. The vertical-opening doors added drama, while the external mirrors, developed in collaboration with FICOSA, incorporated a new lighting system — subtle proof that every detail was carefully thought through.

The rear view was equally captivating. The split taillights, coupled with an expressive lower section featuring a Venturi-effect diffuser, emphasized aerodynamic efficiency while giving the car a distinct personality. It wasn’t trying to imitate anyone — it was designed to stand out, to have a face and form entirely its own. 

The Mazel Identity i1 Concept captivated from the rear with split taillights and a Venturi-effect diffuser that combined aerodynamic efficiency with a distinct personality. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

Inside, the i1 continued to challenge expectations. The two-seat cabin wasn’t cluttered with unnecessary gimmicks but focused on delivering a blend of sporty elegance and spaciousness. Central to its design was a sleek control console housing advanced Shift-by-Wire and Brake-by-Wire systems — both developed by FICOSA. These technologies not only streamlined the interior layout but also introduced a completely new kind of driving experience, one that felt intuitive and almost futuristic at the time.

But what truly makes the Mazel Identity i1 Concept unforgettable isn’t just its numbers, looks, or technology — it’s the ambition behind it. To create a new car is difficult; to create a new brand from scratch is a dream few dare to pursue. Yet, H2R, MAZEL, ATR, and Studio Linea 2 did exactly that. Their combined expertise, spanning from Barcelona’s creative studios to Turin’s engineering workshops, showed what’s possible when design passion meets technical excellence. | fajZ7Uv2UDs |

Nearly two decades later, the Identity i1 still feels ahead of its time. It stands as a symbol of fearless innovation — proof that even in an industry ruled by giants, creativity can still carve out its own path. The i1 may have begun as a concept, but its spirit endures: a reminder that the future of car design will always belong to those brave enough to imagine something different. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | ULTIMATECARPAGE | ALLCARINDEX | OBSCURESUPERCAR IN X ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Iso Grifo 7-Litri Series II: The Rare Italian GT with American Muscle

Power Elegance - Some cars don’t just move you from one place to another — they tell a story the moment you lay eyes on them. The Iso Grifo 7-Litri Series II is one of those rare machines that feels less like a car and more like a chapter of automotive history, blending two worlds that were never meant to meet, yet somehow did so perfectly. It’s where Italian artistry meets raw American muscle, and even decades later, the result is nothing short of mesmerizing.

The Iso Grifo 7-Liter Series II, the most powerful variant produced by Iso, featured a 427-cubic-inch 7.0-liter engine delivering 390 horsepower, the same big-block that made Corvette race cars legendary worldwide. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)

Back in 1963, the world first saw the Iso Grifo in two very different forms at the Turin Motor Show. On one side was the A3/L, a luxurious grand tourer meant for high-speed comfort. On the other was the A3/C, a razor-sharp race car engineered by Giotto Bizzarrini — the same man who helped bring the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO to life. The A3/C wasn’t just a pretty face either; it claimed class victories at Le Mans in both 1964 and 1965, all while wearing Giorgetto Giugiaro’s sleek Bertone-designed bodywork. Beneath that sculpted metal beat the heart of a Chevrolet V8, which gave the Grifo the kind of punch that matched its beauty.

The Iso Grifo 7-Litri Series II featured subtle yet impactful updates, most notably its hidden pop-up headlights, which gave the front end a sleeker, more modern appearance. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)

Most Grifos rolled off the line with Chevrolet’s 327-cubic-inch V8 producing a robust 350 horsepower — already more than enough to thrill any driver of the era. But Iso wasn’t afraid to push the envelope. For the few who wanted something truly ferocious, there was the 427-cubic-inch, 7.0-liter option. Delivering 390 horsepower, this was the same big-block that had made Corvette race cars legends on circuits worldwide. These “7-Litri” versions were scarce even when new, and today, they’re automotive unicorns.

The Iso Grifo 7-Litri Series II featured a meticulously hand-finished interior, combining luxurious upholstery with four practical seats, offering both elegance and comfort for its passengers. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)

Renzo Rivolta, the man behind Iso, was no stranger to thinking big. After his quirky yet wildly successful collaboration with BMW on the Isetta microcar, he set his sights on building the perfect Italian grand tourer. To do it, he turned to the best: Giugiaro for the design, Bizzarrini for the engineering, and Chevrolet for the muscle. By the early 1970s, following Chevrolet’s own lead, Rivolta began fitting his cars with the massive 454-cubic-inch V8, ensuring the Grifo stayed at the top of the performance game. 

The Iso Grifo 7-Litri Series II was initially powered by a 427-cubic-inch engine but later upgraded to a thunderous 454-cubic-inch big-block paired with a ZF five-speed gearbox. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)

The Series II cars, introduced later in production, carried subtle but significant changes — most notably, hidden pop-up headlights that gave the front end a cleaner, more modern look. Among these, the 1971 Iso Grifo 7-Litri Series II stood as a masterpiece. Completed on May 3, 1971, this particular example originally landed in Italy, but its life soon took an interesting turn. At some point before 1980, its original 427-cubic-inch was replaced with a thunderous 454-cubic-inch big-block, paired with a ZF five-speed gearbox and the distinctive “pagoda” hood borrowed from an Iso Grifo Can Am. That donor car had suffered body damage, but its heart — and hood — lived on in this beast.

The Iso Grifo 7-Liter Series II was incredibly rare, with only four Series II models ever built featuring the 7.0-liter engine. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)

Only four Series II Grifos were ever built with the 7.0-liter engine, making them incredibly rare even by classic car standards. Their allure lies in that intoxicating combination: the refined curves and coachbuilt charm of an Italian GT, wrapped around the bellowing, road-shaking power of a top-tier American V8. It’s the kind of car that could cruise the autostrada in serene elegance one moment, then unleash tire-smoking fury the next. | 9Q_2YCf1jf8 |

More than 50 years on, the Iso Grifo 7-Litri Series II remains a testament to an era when boundaries in automotive design were meant to be crossed. It’s a machine born from friendship, vision, and a shared love of speed — one that still turns heads and stirs hearts every time its engine roars to life. In a world where so many cars try to be everything at once, the Grifo had already figured it out half a century ago: be unforgettable. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AMAZINGCLASSICCARS | MYCARQUEST | RMSOTHEBYS ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.