 1928 Fraschini Tipo 8 AS | 1928 Fraschini 8A SS | 1930 Fraschini Tipo 8A  |
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1929 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Roadster Coachwork: Castagna Chassis Num: 1482 |
This automobile was offered for sale at the 2007 Blackhawk Collection Exhibit held at Pebble Beach where it carried a price tag of $1,450,000.Source - Blackhawk Collection
 |  |  | Transformable Coachwork: Castagna Chassis Num: 1587 |
This car was offered for sale at the 2007 Blackhawk Collection Exhibit held at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it had a price tag of $750,000.Source - Blackhawk Collection
 |  |  | Coupe De Ville Coachwork: Cesare Sala |
 |  |  | Limousine Coachwork: Castagna Chassis Num: 1592 |
Unfortunately, Isotta-Fraschini fell victim to the Depression and the worldwide collapse of the luxury car market. After car production ceased, the company concentrated on the manufacture of aircraft engines.
Powered by a 7.4-liter straight-eight and featuring a limousine body by Italian coachbuilder Castagna of Milan, this car is reportedly a one-of-a-kind. It was custom-designed for its first owner, Howie B. Willis of Hebron, Illinois, who later sold it to legendary singer Sergio Franchi, the Italian tenor and actor. The current owners are the fourth owners.
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Coachwork: Derham Chassis Num: 1571 Engine Num: 1591 |
| Sold for $473,000 at 2013 RM Auctions. | |||
This 1929 Isotta Fraschini 8A Convertible Sedan wears coachwork by Floyd-Derham. When Joseph J. Derham (the Derham Company's Founder) passed away in 1928, it created a rift between his three sons, which would change the makeup of the company. Sons James and Enos wanted to run the firm just as it had been with their father in charge, while Philip wanted the firm to modernize and expand. Philip left the Derhams Body Company in 1928 and - with the financial backing of William Floyd (a European car importer based in Bryn Mawr, PA) began designing and drafting projects. The actual body production was carried out by Alexander Wolfington, Son & Company. When the Floyds import car business began to feel the effects of the stock market crash of 1929, they withdrew their support of the coachbuilding firm. The open orders were later completed by Wolfington with the help of the Derham Body Co. Though the firm was short-lived, it did manage to produce two vehicles for display. One example was a Minerva Town Cabriolet, displayed at the Chicago salon in the fall of 1928, which is now part of the Nethercutt Collection. The second car is this Isotta Fraschini convertible Sedan, chassis number 1571, which was displayed at the New York Auto Salon in December.
After the show, the car went into private ownership and next appeared in the collection of Paul F. Cofrancesco, of New Britain, Connecticut. Mr. Cofrancesco would retain the car until around 1974. At that time, the car was still finished in its original color scheme of Butterscotch with yellow fenders and belt line. Mechanically re-commissioned, it remained largely original through the subsequent ownership of Bill Lassiter, Sonny Abagnale, and the Imperial Palace.
After the current owner acquired the vehicle, it was given a thorough body-off restoration. The work was performed between 2006 and 2008. It is now finished in Green with Forest Green fenders and belt molding. There is a tan cloth top and brown leather interior with ostrich seat inserts. It rides on chromed wire wheels with whitewall tires. There is a radiator stone guard, tubular bar-type bumpers, and wood ribs on the front splash apron. The 7370cc, L-head eight-cylinder engine offers 110 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel Dewandre vacuum servo-assisted mechanical drum brakes.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2013
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2006
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2006
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| Fraschini 8A |
| 1928 Fraschini Tipo 8 AS | 1928 Fraschini 8A SS | 1930 Fraschini Tipo 8A |
