Iso-Rivolta and Gordon Keeble - almost like brothers
06/28/2012
They look like brothers, the Iso-Rivolta IR 300 (picture above) and the Gordon Keeble (picture below), even though one comes from Italy and the other from England.
And the similarity in character and shape is no coincidence. There are astonishing parallels. Both the Englishman and the Italian wanted to be four-seater Gran Turismo coupés. Both are powered by powerful V8 engines from the Chevrolet Corvette. Both were designed at Bertone by Giugiaro.
However, John Gordon was originally one step ahead of Renzo Rivolta. He presented his Gordon Gran Turismo 4 Seater in Geneva as early as 1960. With its trellis frame and De Dion rear axle, but above all with its low kerb weight of 1,100 kg (as announced by Gordon) and the powerful engine, the sports car promised to shake up the competition.
The Iso-Rivolta was then presented in 1962, differing from the Gordon GT above all with the platform frame and the supporting sheet steel body. In terms of the other ingredients, however, the two designs were almost like fraternal twins.
Unfortunately, John Gordon did not make as much progress as planned. It was not until 1964 that the now Gordon Keeble went on sale, and instead of the sheet steel body it now had a plastic one. Nevertheless, the trade journals were enthusiastic, but the Iso-Rivolta also received many positive reviews and was ultimately somewhat more successful than its English counterpart. While only just under 100 Gordon Keeble models were built, the Iso made 792 in eight years. Neither manufacturer survived. However, the survival rate of the two coupés is quite high, especially in the case of the Gordon Keeble cars, where over 90% of the vehicles are probably still in existence.
We have dedicated extensively illustrated and documented reports to both cars, because both the Iso Rivolta IR 300 and the Gordon Keeble are fantastic contemporary witnesses and wonderful coupés.
