Iso Rivolta

The Fidia, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1967, was Iso Rivolta’s only four-door model. Although it debuted that year, production started some time later, and the official European press launch did not take place until February 1969 in Athens. By the time of the launch, 15 cars had already been built, and it was only then that the model shed its “S4” designation in favor of the name Fidia. The body was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, then working at Ghia, while the interior showcased polished wood and hand-stitched leather. Development costs proved extremely high, pushing the price beyond that of a Rolls-Royce. The Fidia’s main rivals were other luxurious and sporty sedans of the era, most notably the Maserati Quattroporte. Like other Iso models, the Fidia was originally powered by a 5,354 cc Chevrolet V8. In 1973, however, after General Motors insisted on advance payment before shipment, Iso switched to a 5,769 cc Ford V8. Despite its qualities, the car was often overshadowed in its market segment by the Quattroporte, which itself never sold in large numbers. In total, just 192 Fidias were built.