Fiat 8V

Total Production: 114 1952 - 1954
The curvaceous and glorious Fiat 8V was given its name due to its eight-cylinder engine in 'vee' configuration. The engineers had though that the Ford Motor Company had exclusive rights to the name 'V8', which later turned out not to be the case, but the name 8V was already given. The engine displaced just over 120 cubic-inches and produced around 110 horsepower. Fitting the larger engine in the relatively small engine bay was achieved by placing the engine at a 70-degree angle. The eight cylinder engine had been intended to power a luxury vehicle, but soon decided against the idea and did not enter the highly exclusive luxury market.

Production of the 8V Fiat lasted only two years with a total of 114 examples being produced. Most were given coachwork by either Zagato, Vignale or Ghia. Zagato bodied approximately 30 examples with eight being given lightweight aluminum bodies intended primarily for competition. Thirty-four examples were fitted with original Carrozzeria Speciale FIAT bodywork.

The 8V was a disaster in the marketplace but victorious on the racing circuit, capturing important victories at the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2007The Fiat 8V, also known as 'Ottu Vu' in Italian, was first shown to the public at the 1952 Geneva Motor Show. Production lasted from 1952 through 1954 with a total of 114 examples being produced. The car was powered by a V8 engine, and since Fiat thought that Ford held the trademark for 'V8', they dubbed their vehicle the 8V. The design was courtesy of Dante Giacosa and stylist Fabio Lucio Rapi.

Of the 114 examples produced, many were unique. They had been designed for competition, specifically the two-liter class in the Italian Championship. The 2.0-liter V8 engines were fed through two Weber 36 DCF3 Carburetors and produced 105-115 horsepower, depending on configuration. There was a four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel drum brakes, with an independent suspension comprised of coil springs, telescopic shocks, stabilizer bar and transverse wishbones. The lightweight bodies, especially those from Zagato, were mounted on a traditional tubular steel frame. The factory bodies had two large headlights in the grill with two small lights in the fenders. There was a second series of the bodies, which had changes to comply with GT regulations. These changes resulted in four headlights in the fender.

The Fiat 8Vs did well in competition, especially those created by Zagato. The bodies were lightweight and the engines were highly tuned. In 1954, the Fiat 8V won the Championship and cemented these cars potential in history.

Of the 114 examples produced, 34 had coachwork by Carozzeria Speciale FIAT. Carrozzeria Zagato produced bodies for 32, which were known as 'Elaborata Zagato.' The rest of the bodies, which were mostly coupes with a few spyders, were created by Ghia and Vignale.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009