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 |  | View more photos Sala Torpedo Phaeton Tourer Coachwork: Cesare Sala Chassis Num: 839 Engine Num: 662 |
The 8A was a refined automobile that had a standard wheelbase of 145.6 inches. This could be extended to 157.5 inches to accommodate limousine coachwork. There were four-wheel drums on all four corners and a vacuum servo booster to aide in bringing the car to a stop from high speeds. Under the bonnet was an engine that was every bit a mechanical marvel as the cars were refined. The engine had a ten main bearing crankshaft, overhead valves, and light alloy pistons.
This example has a custom body created by Carrozzeria Italiana Cesare Sala of Milan. In 1927, the chassis cost $8500 with the coachwork adding an additional $6000, making this a very expensive vehicle at the time. The Cesare Sala coachwork demanded this cost due to the reputation it had accumulated by its years of creating elegant carriages for European royalty.
In 1986, the Blackhawk Collection acquired the vehicle and commissioned a restoration, thou it had been found in excellent and original condition. The restoration lasted two years, after which, it was put on display at the Blackhawk Museum.
At auction, there was interest in the vehicle, and the dollar figure rose quickly. The peak of that climb reached $390,500, falling short of the estimated value. Regardless, the vehicle found its next owner and was sold.
 |  | View more photos Roadster Coachwork: Fleetwood Chassis Num: 1175 |
This car, a 1927 Isotta Fraschini, was commissioned by Rudolf Valentino. Valentino had been a true car aficionado and his car of choice was the Isotta Fraschini built in his native homeland of Italy. At a cost of $25,000, Valentino hired American coachbuilders LeBaron and Fleetwood to design and built this unique roadster on the high performance 8A S chassis.
Seriously affected by the economic crisis of the 1930's and then by the disruptions of World War II, Isotta-Fraschini stopped making cars after the war. Only five of the last model, the Monterosa, were produced. The plants were converted to produce marine engines. Valentino died at age 31, two months before Fleetwood had finished the car. Upon its completion, the car was exhibited at the Isotta Motors Showroom in New York.
In 1902, Cesare Isotta and Vincenzo Fraschini created the Isotta Fraschini Company. This decision was made after years of successfully importing French vehicles to Italy. Automobile production was very new and this led to the creation of hundreds of independent automobile producers world-wide. It was also a very unique time in history since the automotive market was evolving, and so were the designs. This was true for the Isotta Fraschini Company, and they were rewarded for their unique creations by continued success. The elegantly designed automobiles were popular with the rich clientele. Their creations were reliable, stylish, and quick. At Targa Florio in 1908, one of their automobiles won.
In 1912 the Isotta Fraschini Company introduced a straight eight cylinder engine but would not go into production until 1919 due to World War I. During the war, the Company shifted its resource to building airplane engines. When the war was over, the eight-cylinder engine was used to power their Tipo 8, making it the first straight-eight cylinder engine to go into production. The 5.9-liter engine was capable of producing 100 horsepower, an extremely difficult accomplishment at the time.
In 1924, the engine capacity of the engine was increased to 7.3 liters, giving the vehicle between 110 and 120 horsepower depending on the configuration. The name was modified to reflect this change and was dubbed the 8A. The company claimed the vehicle could accelerate to a top speed of 90 miles-per-hour.
The vehicle could be had in a variety of flavors and sizes. The standard model sat atop a 145 inch wheelbase while a sportier version was fitted with a 134 inch wheelbase. The price to own one of these magnificent creations was not cheap, weighing in around $20,000.
In 1931 a four-speed gearbox and a refined engine was introduced and the name was changed to 8B. As with most businesses at this time, the Great Depression and a second World War had taken its toll on the company. The company had shifted focus to creating airplane and marine engines during World War II. After the war, several efforts were made to jump-start the vehicle production but all attempts failed. The factory was forced to close.
In 1912 the Isotta Fraschini Company introduced a straight eight cylinder engine but would not go into production until 1919 due to World War I. During the war, the Company shifted its resource to building airplane engines. When the war was over, the eight-cylinder engine was used to power their Tipo 8, making it the first straight-eight cylinder engine to go into production. The 5.9-liter engine was capable of producing 100 horsepower, an extremely difficult accomplishment at the time.
In 1924, the engine capacity of the engine was increased to 7.3 liters, giving the vehicle between 110 and 120 horsepower depending on the configuration. The name was modified to reflect this change and was dubbed the 8A. The company claimed the vehicle could accelerate to a top speed of 90 miles-per-hour.
The vehicle could be had in a variety of flavors and sizes. The standard model sat atop a 145 inch wheelbase while a sportier version was fitted with a 134 inch wheelbase. The price to own one of these magnificent creations was not cheap, weighing in around $20,000.
In 1931 a four-speed gearbox and a refined engine was introduced and the name was changed to 8B. As with most businesses at this time, the Great Depression and a second World War had taken its toll on the company. The company had shifted focus to creating airplane and marine engines during World War II. After the war, several efforts were made to jump-start the vehicle production but all attempts failed. The factory was forced to close.
| Photos grouped by event | ||
|
Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance |
 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island |
2006 Blackhawk Collection |
1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A |
|
| Year | 1927 |
| Make | Isotta |
| Model | Fraschini Tipo 8A |
| Body Style | Sala Torpedo Phaeton Tourer |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Body-on-Frame |
| Production Years for Series | 1924 - 1933 |
| Coach Work | Cesare Sala, Fleetwood |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 1175 |
| Chassis Number | 839 |
| Engine Number | 662 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| L-Head | |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 5.90 L | 360 cu in. | 5900.4 cc. |
| Valves | 16 valves. 2 valves per cylinder. |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Horsepower | 135.00 BHP (99.4 KW) @ 2600.00 RPM |
| HP / Liter | 22.9 BHP / Liter |
| Main Bearings | 10 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| 1 Zenith carburetor | |
| Block | Cast-iron |
| Head | Cast-iron |
| Pistons | Light alloy |
| Connecting Rods | Drop forged |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 3 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| View more photographs |
| View Specifications |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| Other models by Isotta |
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| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance |
| Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island |
| 2006 Blackhawk Collection |
| Other Model Years |
| 1930 Fraschini Tipo 8A |
| 1929 Fraschini Tipo 8A Castagna |
| Vehicle Spotlight | ||
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