Welcome to the first December 2013 edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”. This months Sunday posts will feature five ISO Rivolta’s to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the first ISO Rivolta cars the first of which was the Isetta perhaps the best known examples of which were manufactured under licence by BMW.

By the 1960’s Renzo Rivolta set his ambitions a little higher and decided to build a vehicle which would compete against the FIAT 2300 Coupé> Rivolta commissioned Bertone to design a body which would enclose independent front suspension, a de Dion rear axle and a Chevrolet Corvette V8 motor which over the years of production from 1962 to 1970 would produce between 300 – 350 hp.

The recirculating ball steering required five turns lock to lock on the car which had a, large, turning circle of 12.5 m / 41ft. The car was fitted with a leather interior which included a standard floor mounted 4 speed manual gear stick.

The stylish IR touring car appears to owe a nod of inspiration to the three Vignale built Ferrari Coupes; 212 Inter, 375 America and 250 Europa who’s design was credited to Giovanni Michelotti.

Dependent on the engine tuning option the rest to 60 mph time for an IR, like the one seen here at Auto Italia Brooklands, was in the 8 second range with a top speed of over 140mph quoted for the most powerful models.

Thanks for joining me on this “Bertone With A Hint Of Michelotti” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a cute li’l pick up from France. Don’t forget to come back now !