1965 Iso Grifo A3/C #3 (LM24)

Matchbox 1/64
Moving Parts (2024)

Series: 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours
Class: P+5.0
Team: Iso Grifo Prototipi
Drivers: Jean de Mortemart, Regis Fraissinet
Result: 9th overall, 1st in P+5.0

First off, I would like to clarify that this Matchbox casting is actually based on the 2022 revival version of the car named the "Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa Revival". That car in turn is an almost perfect replica of the Bizzarrini-made Iso Grifo A3/C that competed in Le Mans. It is for that reason that I am listing this car in my collection as the Iso Grifo A3/C from the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans.

I am not super familiar with the real car but I know that there were issues between Renzo Rivolta and Giotto Bizzarrini relationship during the year. Still, the car, despite not being the fastest car in its class, managed to win after pretty much all of its class rivals retired from the race. Sadly, I believe that was one of the last races of the car during the partnership of Iso and Bizzarrini. Bizzarrini would split from the Iso company and would rename the car as the Bizzarrini 5300 GT. He would return again to Le Mans the following year and the car did show some promise but it was eventually disqualified for straying over the pit boundary line multiple times. Bizzarrini would face financial woes which would eventually lead to the bankruptcy of the company. It is quite a shame that the car never showed its true promise due to personal and financial issues.