Very rare Italian GT with American muscle

[stickandrudderman]

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of being shown around someone's private collection and was particularly struck by this beauty.
Anyone know what it is?

[mdsalemi]

Is this a quiz?

I have no idea. Some lines remind me of a Lancia. But it was DeTomaso that had Ford engines. Can't say I can pinpoint that to either marque. Was there no indication on the body?

[stickandrudderman]

Is this a quiz?

I have no idea. Some lines remind me of a Lancia. But it was DeTomaso that had Ford engines. Can't say I can pinpoint that to either marque. Was there no indication on the body?

I know what it is, but until yesterday I wouldn't have had a clue. It's a guessing game!

[WRe]

Hi,
it's a Iso-Rivolta IR6 Lele Sport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iso_Lele.
...WRe

[mdsalemi]

it's a Iso-Rivolta IR6 Lele Sport

That was my next guess...

[stickandrudderman]

Hi,
it's a Iso-Rivolta IR6 Lele Sport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iso_Lele.
...WRe

Correct! One of very few made in RHD.
I'd never seen one until yesterday. Shame the asking price is 3 times what I'm told it's worth.........

[Jordan]

When I first saw the picture I immediately thought of a Maserati Ghibli but as you look closer you can see it obviously isn't.

[Cees Klumper]

I thought Lamborghini Jarama, I don't particularly like either model!

[MikeSimon]

There has always been great talent in Italy as far as styling is concerned..   Technical skill and expertise - not so much. That's why you find a few great looking cars with common production engines from other manufacturers, U.S. V8s in particular. Then, of course, U.S. manufacturers' ownerships in Italian companies.
Even GM had an Italian designed and produced body on one of their cars. Each and every one was flown from Italy to the U.S. to be completed with U.S. chassis and running gear.
Ever wonder why most of these multi-million dollar collector Ferraris get so old without showing any mileage?

[Merc_Girl]

Interesting design. Seems to have taken some strong influences of other Italian cars of the same period?

Lamborghini Espada + De Tomaso Mangusta + Lamborghini Espada

This of course is merely my opinion ……….

I personally prefer the design of these cars

[MikeSimon]

There were/are several famous Italian design houses and body manufacturers, Pininfarina, Zagato, Bertone, Giugiaro and Ghia come to mind. Some of them designed for various car manufacturers and the final models bear a distinct resemblance. On the less exclusive end, I was always amazed how much my very first car, a Fiat OSCA 1500S looked like a Peugeot 405 Cabriolet until I found out that both cars were designed by Pininfarina

[mdsalemi]

...I was always amazed...until I found out that both cars were designed by Pininfarina

...and I was always amazed that as a child, I LOVED the shape and style of the Pagoda...and many years later fell in love with the clean lines and style of the BMW 320i.

Oh, yes, then I found out both were from Bracq. 

[MikeSimon]

a Fiat OSCA 1500S looked like a Peugeot 405 Cabriolet 

Ha! Of course it was a 404 Cabriolet

[Jordan]

There were/are several famous Italian design houses and body manufacturers, Pininfarina, Zagato, Bertone, Giugiaro and Ghia come to mind. Some of them designed for various car manufacturers and the final models bear a distinct resemblance. On the less exclusive end, I was always amazed how much my very first car, a Fiat OSCA 1500S looked like a Peugeot 405 Cabriolet until I found out that both cars were designed by Pininfarina

Mike, do you still have the Fiat?  I have been looking for a 1500 or 1600.

[MikeSimon]

I wish! I would love to get my hands back on a 1500S or maybe even better a 1600S. Relatively rare in the U.S. and sort of unobtainium in good condition.
The 1600S engine alone could cost a pretty penny.

[Jordan]

I wish! I would love to get my hands back on a 1500S or maybe even better a 1600S. Relatively rare in the U.S. and sort of unobtainium in good condition.
The 1600S engine alone could cost a pretty penny.

Ya, I've been looking for about a year.  I have convinced myself I need to go to Italy to find one.