Even though by the early 1960s ISO had established a strong reputation in lightweight motorcycles and motorscooters, becoming the third-largest producer of these vehicles in Italy, the sports car market was new territory for the company. In order to make a name for itself in that realm and create something exciting to catch the imagination of the people, it was decided to enter into the sports car competition world. The company already had racing experience with motorcycles in the Moto Giro d'Italia, the Scudo del Sud and the Milano-Taranto races.

In the early 1970s Piero Rivolta joined forces with Frank Williams and Marlboro to put together a Formula One racing team called ISO-Marlboro. Despite a limited budget, especially for the drivers, the team completed two full seasons on the Formula One circuit with good results. Subsequently, when Piero sold the company, Frank Williams found a partner in Kuwait and enjoyed a series of great successes with these cars.

The Formula One vehicles were using Ford engines, so during this period ISO Rivolta changed the engine in all their production cars from GM to Ford, thereby strengthening its relations with Ford and also demonstrating consistency among the racing and Gran Turismo cars.
GM and Ford engines—two excellent American hearts for these vehicles.

 

Headquarters Bresso, Italy, 1970-1974

fx3b

The Iso-Marlboro FX3B was a Formula One car used by Frank Williams Racing Cars for the start of the 1973 Formula One Season. The car was a modified version of its predecessor the Politoys FX3 used by the team in 1972.

It was renamed to reflect new financial backing by Marlboro and the Italian sports car company Iso Autoveicoli. It was swiftly replaced by the Iso-Marlboro IR after only three races due to regulation changes.

The FX3B had become obsolete by this time due to new deformable structure regulations and was replaced by the new Iso–Marlboro IR. However, the FX3B was raced in two non-Championship races at this time; at the 1973 Race of Champions, Tony Trimmer raced an FX3B to fourth place while Ganley retired his car with handling problems. The New Zealander also retired at the FX3B's last race, the 1973 BRDC International Trophy, this time with low oil pressure.

 

nanni galli

1973

ford cosworth dfv v8 cilinder  90°

autódromo oscar y juan gálvez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HftDyweML8c

ir1

The Iso-Marlboro IR1 was a Formula 1 racing car designed by the British motorsport team Frank Williams Racing Cars in 1973 and competing in the Formula 1 World Championship in the 1973 season.

A second, identical vehicle bore the designation Iso-Marlboro IR2. In the 1974 World Automobile Championship, the vehicle was entered in three more races; this year it was called Iso-Marlboro FW01.

With the start of the 1973 Formula 1 season, the Italian sports car manufacturer Iso Rivolta became the main sponsor of the Williams team. Iso acquired the right to put his own name on the racing cars used. There was no further technical commitment from Iso. In particular, Iso did not participate in the design or construction of the racing cars.

In the first three races of 1973, the team, which was registered as Frank Williams Racing Cars, fielded two Politoys FX3 models, which were given the designation Iso-Marlboro FX3B in view of the new sponsors. For the European races of the 1973 Formula 1 season, some changes to the technical regulations came into force.

Frank Williams decided to develop new cars which resulted in the Iso-Marlboro IR1 and the largely identical IR2 model, which was joined the following year by a third example with the designation FW03.

The designation IR, used in 1973, is derived from Iso Rivolta and the Marlboro cigarette brand, which financed the development and use of the vehicle. When Iso defaulted on payments due to economic difficulties at the beginning of 1974, Williams changed the model designation to Iso-Marlboro FW01 (FW for Frank Williams). Although the IR1 is the first Williams of the FW family when counted retrospectively, the car was never registered under the designation Williams FW01.

Williams finished the 1973 season with two points in 10th place in the constructors' championship.

In one and a half years, eight drivers were registered for the car.

 

henri pescarolo

1973

ford cosworth DFV 2993 cc  V8, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted.

paul ricard circuit

Iso Rivolta IR1 1973

1970-1974