1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Dual Cowl Phaeton

Like Mercedes-Benz and FIAT, Isotta Faschini gained prestige and technical know-how from its early racing endeavors. Isotta was the first automaker to offer four-wheel brakes as standard equipment on its production cars. They introduced the first production straight 8-cylinder engine at the Paris Salon in 1919, well before Duesenberg and Bugatti.

The 1920s was the era of the coachbuilders and while the mechanicals were produced by Isotta Fraschini, the coachwork was done by LeBaron Inc., of New York and Connecticut. The 8-AS features a 7.3-liter powerplant rated at 120 horsepower.

Cesare Isotta and Oreste Fraschini founded their company in 1900. A year later, at the Milan Exposition, the company displayed its first primitive 5 horsepower, single-cylinder car. With the company's involvement in motorsport, the progress was rapid, with celebrated victories including the 1908 Targa Florio and a second place in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup. Isotta-Fraschini built engines for the aircraft industry and was favored with Government orders for their aero engines.

Chief Engineer, Giustino Cattaneo, focused on a one-model policy for Isotta-Fraschini in the 1920s, launching the world's first production straight-eight motor car, the Tipo 8, in 1920. The early Isotta engines were push-rod operated with overhead valves and displaced 5.9 liters. The vehicles featured mechanical, servo-operated, four-wheel brakes which provided ample stopping power.

In 1925, the company introduced the Tipo 8A, and featured an engine of 7,372cc displacement along with vacuum-assisted braking and was offered in three different engine specifications, the Spinto and Superspinto developing 150 horsepower.

The standard Tipo 8A had a wheelbase of 145 inches; the S and SS models had a 134-inch wheelbase frame. These short-wheelbase versions were often given a high-compression engine and a higher axle ratio for high-speed driving.

The Isotta Fraschini was the second most popular foreign manufacturer after Rolls-Royce, with price tags that exceeded even those of the Duesenberg Model J. The chassis alone was priced at $9,750, while coach-built models could cost upwards of $20,000. A third of all Tipo 8 models went to the United States.

An improved Tipo 8B featured a four-speed transmission and was introduced in 1931. It is believed that fewer than 100 examples were built compared with 320 of the Tipo 8 and 950 of the 8A.

In 1932, the company was purchased by the aircraft manufacturer, Count Caproni di Talideo. Pre-war production ceased in 1935, with Isotta Fraschini concentrating on aero engines and trucks thereafter. An abortive comeback attempt followed in 1947 with a rear-engined V8, but the project foundered after just a few cars had been completed.

This 1927 Isotta-Fraschini Model 8ASS wears Five-Passenger Dual Cowl Phaeton coachwork by LeBaron. It was delivered new to America and was first the property of Piperno of New York. By the mid-1970s, the car was owned by Peter Ferwarda of Rahway, New Jersey. The subsequent owner was Bob Rooke of New Jersey who had the car restored and by then with a Victoria 'Cape' top.

The current owner acquired the car several years ago and was responsible for bringing it to the excellent condition in which it can be found in modern times. It was given a comprehensive restoration, after which it was extensively toured.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2014