From Auto Italia, 2022: When Iso Is A Good Thing!

According to Google Lens, this is an Iso Rivolta Lele. Further Googling revealed that early versions were powered by a 327 cubic inch Chevrolet V8, which was a very Iso formula shared by the Grifo and the larger Fidia. Everybody's favourite font of knowledge further explained that the Lele was named in honour of the founder's son's wife - Rachelle - it was produced between 1969 and 1974 and that it was styled by Gandini - he of X1/9 fame - who was working for Bertone at the time.

Spot the Fiat 124 AC taillights? The CC did!

The red car below is also a Lele, although I'm not sure if it's an earlier or later version compared to the example above. If it is a later edition, it's likely to be Ford Windsor V8-powered, as Iso cracked the sads with GM when they started demanding up-front payment for their engines, resulting in a switch to Blue Oval donks.

The GM versus Ford engine thing is also a nice segue to introduce the striking Pantera parked alongside the red Lele, as De Tomaso also sourced their 351 cu V8s from Ford. Using US-sourced V8s was actually quite popular amongst Italian car-makers, with brands like Bizzarrini also packing American heat and the almost never heard of Nardi Silver Ray being powered by a massive Plymouth 413 cu behemoth!

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

Photos by the Canberra Correspondent.

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EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

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Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

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