Historic Sports Car Impounded At Concorso D'Eleganza In Italy

Forbes

5 days ago

This rare 1964 Iso Rivolta Grifo A3 Stradale was confiscated by police after the Concorso d'Eleganza ... More at the Hotel Villa d'Este in Italy on Sunday. Photo: BMW Classic.
Cernobbio, Italy: An American entrant has had his rare, classic Italian sports car impounded by Italian police after the world's premier historic car event, the Concorso d'Eleganza at the Hotel Villa d'Este.
Provincial Police confiscated the 1964 Iso Rivolta Grifo A3 Stradale, entered in the Concorso by Thomas Shannon, after allegedly stopping its American driver on the streets of Cernobbio without an International Driving Permit.
The Grifo, one of just 13 in the world and valued at more than $1 million, was also allegedly driven without proof of Italian insurance or a visible number plate.
The Concorso d'Eleganza is a celebration of historic car culture on the grounds of one of the world's most prestigious hotels on the shores of Lake Como, and involves parades at both the Hotel Villa d'Este and Villa Erba, which are separated by less than a mile along one narrow street.
The Iso Rivolta Grifo was confiscated for allegedly driving on Italian streets without proof of ... More insurance, a number plate. The driver, a US license holder, also did not have an International Driving permit. Photo: BMW Group Classic.
Provincial police impounded the Shannon car pending payment of fines of €866 (US$981) and €408 ($463).
Shannon's Iso Rivolta Grifo A3 Stradale was the street-going version of the Grifo racing car, which won its class in the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hour race. Built with Italian design and chassis engineering partnered with a 327 cubic inch Chevrolet Corvette V8, the Grifo could hit 60mph in five seconds and run on to a 190mph top speed.
It isn't the first time the Italian provincial police have targeted a Concorso d'Eleganza competitor either, with a 1967 Fiat Dino being grabbed during the 2024 edition of the event.