1965 Iso Grifo A3C at Sebring

Sebring 1965: Bizzarrini Automobili, out of Livorno, Italy, sent 2 gorgeous Iso Grifo A3Cs to participate in the 12 Hours of Sebring. The A3C was a combination of style and speed. Carrozzeria Bertone was in charge of the styling, but Giotto Bizzarrini was in charge of everything on the inside and both designers didn’t disappoint. Coupled with a proven Chevrolet engine, they had the makings of a winning sports car that was as beautiful as it was fast. Bizzarrini himself made the trek to Sebring and took charge of the #8 entry. Rino Argento managed the #9 entry, which would be piloted by and American team of Charlie Rainville and Mike Gammino. Both cars qualified in the top half of the field. Unfortunately, both cars had issues early on and the #8 would lose its brakes at the hairpin and crash, ending its race after 16 laps. Rainville would start in the #9 and run into problems at the 1st turn in the race. Rainville, in an attempt to avoid 2 cars in front of him, went onto the grass and into a fence, causing some damage, that would set them back several minutes on the 1st lap of the race. Over the next several hours, the #9 would work its way back up to the top half of the field but just after 5:30pm that day, the heaviest rain in Sebring history began to pour down on the circuit. As the flood began, Rainville, an appropriate name for the situation, came into the pits. The car sat in the pits for over 20 minutes before Gammino headed back out on the course. In the blinding rain, Gammino had neglected fastening his seatbelt and that would probably save his life 3 laps later. Gammino was picking up speed over the next 3 laps but not by much. As he came by the pits, he lost control and slid into the bridge abutment at the Mercedes Benz walkover bridge, near pit out. The car was cut in half! The seatbelt that Gammino wasn’t wearing, went with the back half of the car and he stayed in his seat in the front half!

At tech inspection downtown. The old tourist club is in the background.

On the grid before the start of the race.

More than likely taken during practice and the damage wasn't from its first lap off course adventure.

The aftermath of the crash! Workers pushing the front half out of the way.

I wonder what the guy with his hands on his hips is thinking??? Lol!

The back half.