Renzo Rivolta

Renzo Rivolta (5 September 1908 – 20 August 1966) was an Italian engineer and entrepreneur who founded the Iso vehicle company that produced appliances, scooters and later sports cars.

Career In 1939 Rivolta founded ‘Isothermos’ a successful manufacturer of refrigeration units. and was Italy's third largest two-wheel producer, behind Vespa and Lambretta.

The company later produced sports touring cars starting with the Iso Rivolta IR 300, using Chevrolet 327ci engines and gearboxes. Rivolta used to say "At the wheel of a car I enjoy myself only above 120 mph." Iso entered racing, and won its class at Le Mans in 1965. In the 1960s Rivolta's company produced the Iso Grifo, Bizzarrini, and other sports cars, all using the GM drivetrain. The Bizzarrini is now a much sought after model, having been developed by Giotto Bizzarrini, an ex-Ferrari engineer who designed their GTO models.

Personal life Rivolta was born in Desio, Italy on 5 September 1908. He had a good education and could speak several languages. He lived in Bresso, a Milan suburb in a mansion that was surrounded by gardens and the companies factories.