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1922 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 Navigation
The Isotta Fraschini factory produced Italy's most famous luxury automobiles. The company was founded in 1900 in Milan and continued operations until 1948. They were a favorite of the royalty and wealthy of Europe and they were eventually exported for sale in the United States. The Tipo 8 was introduced in 1919 with a new straight-eight engine, developing 50 horsepower at 2200 rpm. This was the first time a straight eight was used in series production in Italy. It was also among the first to use an overhead camshaft and one of the earliest proponents of four-wheel brakes.
This example has a torpedo body designed and built by the great Italian coachbuilder Cesare Sala and was originally commissioned by Queen Marie of Romania. It was purchased for just under $20,000. The opulent Tipo 8 model was very popular with royalty and American movie stars such as Rudolph Valentino and Clara Bow.
The car spent many years in Harrah's Reno, Nevada collection, and later the Imperial Palace museum in Las Vegas. In 2001, the car was auctioned and purchased by Rob Meyer, who in turn sold it to the current owner in 2003. By this point in history, the car needed an interior restoration and hadn't been run in many years. The owner revived the engine himself, a job that entailed fabricating a number of parts.
The result of the work was a worthy example representative of its legendary name among classic automobiles.
In 1919, the Isotta-Fraschini introduced the Type 8 and its new inline eight-cylinder engine, designed by Giustino Catteneo. This was the first production straight-eight on record. The power plant produced 85 horsepower from the 6.2 liters in 1922, and although it wasn't very powerful, it was very quiet and smooth.
Like many other vehicles of the era, Isotta-Fraschini cars emerged from the Milan factory as rolling chassis and were then given prestigious bodies from the many talented coach-building firms. Many elegant body styles were created, going to celebrity clientele that included Rudolf Valentino, Clara Bow, William Randolph Hearst, Jack Dempsey, Pope Pius XI, and Benito Mussolini.
This example has a torpedo body designed and built by the great Italian coachbuilder Cesare Sala and was originally commissioned by Queen Marie of Romania. It was purchased for just under $20,000. The opulent Tipo 8 model was very popular with royalty and American movie stars such as Rudolph Valentino and Clara Bow.
The car spent many years in Harrah's Reno, Nevada collection, and later the Imperial Palace museum in Las Vegas. In 2001, the car was auctioned and purchased by Rob Meyer, who in turn sold it to the current owner in 2003. By this point in history, the car needed an interior restoration and hadn't been run in many years. The owner revived the engine himself, a job that entailed fabricating a number of parts.
The result of the work was a worthy example representative of its legendary name among classic automobiles.
In 1919, the Isotta-Fraschini introduced the Type 8 and its new inline eight-cylinder engine, designed by Giustino Catteneo. This was the first production straight-eight on record. The power plant produced 85 horsepower from the 6.2 liters in 1922, and although it wasn't very powerful, it was very quiet and smooth.
Like many other vehicles of the era, Isotta-Fraschini cars emerged from the Milan factory as rolling chassis and were then given prestigious bodies from the many talented coach-building firms. Many elegant body styles were created, going to celebrity clientele that included Rudolf Valentino, Clara Bow, William Randolph Hearst, Jack Dempsey, Pope Pius XI, and Benito Mussolini.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
Recent Sales of the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8
(Data based on Model Year 1922 sales)
Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1922 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
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1922 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8
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