1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic

The Fiat 8V (V8 was trademarked by Ford so Fiat called it an 8V) sports coupe was introduced in 1952 at the Geneva Motor Show. A total of 114 examples of the 8V coupe were built between 1952 and 1954. Ghia was commissioned fifteen examples of the Supersonic on the 8V chassis and it is believed that eight examples were manufactured. The 8V Supersonic was introduced in 1953 at the Turin Auto Show.

The Supersonic designs were a landmark in 'Jet Age' automotive design, it inspired GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicle design in the late 1950s.

This particular example, chassis number 106.000041, was delivered to General Motors designer Henry S. Lauve, the concept artist behind the original Corvette.

The 8V was a consistent winner of the Italian 2.0L GT championships.

Henry de Ségur Lauve joined General Motors in the late 1930s and, by the mid-1950s, had become chief designer of GM's Interior Design Studio. His exquisite taste and eye for daring designs led him to the Fiat 8V Supersonic, one of just 14 examples to wear this Jet Age bodywork by Giovanni Savonuzzi. Beyond aesthetic beauty, the daring Fiat was equipped with an advanced overhead-valve light alloy V-8 engine, Siata-fabricated chassis, and four-wheel independent suspension.

The Supersonic was introduced in 1953 at the Paris Auto Show, and Lauve - who was in attendance, determined that he needed one of his own. By November of that year, this example was en route to America aboard the SS Constitution. It wore a white exterior with a blue interior.

In 1954, with 9,000 kilometers on the odometer, Lauve's 8V developed seemingly insurmountable engine issues. Fiat agreed to supply a new engine (number 000188), and its ancillary components, on the condition that Mr. Lauve return the original engine (number 000039). However, that engine was never returned to Fiat and was subsequently fitted to another 8V Supersonic.

The installation of the new engine into the Supersonic was complicated by a poorly fitting exhaust system, among other issues. The slow progress prompted Harley Earl to assist by helping Lauve source and install a 283 cubic-inch Chevrolet V-8 engine.

The Supersonic remained with the Lauve family until 1991, and by this point, it had been refinished in silver. Erik Nielsen of California was the car's caretaker by 1994.

A subsequent restoration of this Supersonic witnessed its return to its garnet-over-tan combination, the installation of a correct 8V engine (number 000060), smoked glass sun visors, and Borrani chrome wire wheels. When the work was completed, it was shown at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. A decade later, it was exhibited at the 2015 Kuwait Concours d'Elegance.

The Supersonic was in long-term ownership in a prominent Swiss collection before it returned to America and into another large private collection, where it was displayed alongside two other 8Vs. The current caretakers purchased the car in 2020.

In 2023, this Fiat won the Design Award at the Audrain Newport Concours.