Lot details
Registration No: SVX895M
Chassis No: B310179/D
Mot Expiry: Sept 2018

- One of only 16 RHD produced

- Original UK car

- Engine and transmission described as excellent by vendor

The striking Giorgetto Giugiaro-penned Fidia was the only four-door model produced by Iso Automoveicoli SpA, 192 of which were manufactured between 1967 and 1975. The sales material carried the slogan 'le quattro poltrone piu veloce del mondo' - 'the four fastest seats in the world'. The luxurious interior was notable for its polished wood and hand-stitched leather, but high development costs pushed the purchase price above that of a contemporaneous Rolls-Royce. Not that this deterred the rich and famous - the second example was purchased by John Lennon. Early versions were powered by 5.4-litre Chevrolet powerplants, and later ones by Ford 5.7-litre units driving through ZF manual transmissions or Ford 'Cruise-O-Matic' automatic gearboxes.

Only 16 Fidias were reputedly equipped with righthand drive, of which seven were Ford powered and few remain, making the sale car rare by any standards. Finished in the stylish combination of Mid Metallic Blue bodywork and Champagne-coloured hide interior trim, 'SVX 895M' was manufactured in July 1973 with the additional options of a large capacity sump, oil cooler, electronic ignition, power steering, automatic transmission, Michelin tyres, seat belts and electric sunroof. It was imported into the UK by Lancia dealers Wood and Krailing. Among its four previous keepers are the importing dealership and Chris Lackner, the UK President of the Iso & Bizzarrini Owners' Club. Now displaying some 54,000 miles, the Fidia has been treated to several desirable upgrades in recent years, including the substitution of alloy cylinder heads and the later Ford AOD automatic transmission, while the suspension has been overhauled and vented brake discs installed. This rare, rapid and sumptuous GT car is currently viewed by the vendor as having 'excellent' engine and transmission and 'very good' bodywork, paintwork and interior trim, and is now offered complete with quality McIntosh sound system, Nardi steering wheel and MOT to September 14.