1929 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A

The Italian-built Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A was renowned for its straight-cylinder power and elaborate coachwork fitted by the world's greatest coachbuilders. Società Milanese Automobili Isotta, Fraschini & C. was founded on January 27, 1900, by Cesare Isotta and Vincenzo Fraschini, and early production concentrated on high-horsepower motorcars. A paragon amongst its peers, Isotta's claimed victory in the 1908 Targa Florio. Aas the 1920s came into sight, the firm shifted its attention towards the luxury segment, championed by its Tipo 8, which became the first production car to feature a straight-eight engine. The 5.9-liter Tipo 8 was produced from 1919 through 1924, with 1,380 examples constructed. It was followed by the 7.3-liter 8A which was produced through 1931 with 950 examples built.

Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8
The 5.9-liter Tipo 8 initially developed 80 (later increasing to 90) horsepower at 2,200 RPM and represented the first time a straight eight was used in series production in Italy. Designed by Giustino Catteneo, it was one of the first to use an overhead camshaft, was devoid of an exterior intake manifold, and had its twin carburetors mounted directly to the block. It used a three-speed manual transmission and was one of the earliest proponents of four-wheel brakes.

Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A
The Isotta Fraschini 7.3-liter Tipo 8A, launched in 1924 at the Paris Auto Salon, was built to three different specifications - the standard Tipo 8A on a 145-inch wheelbase and two powerful 150 horsepower models, the Spinto S and Super Spinto SS, each on a 134-inch chassis. It was a complete redesign of the Tipo 8 with its 7,372cc inline 8-cylinder model offering 115 bhp. It received new servo-brakes and the bare chassis was priced at $8,500, making it one of the most expensive cars of its era. A Tipo 8A finished sixth in the first Mille Miglia with Bindo Maserati as a co-driver.

Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8B
The Tipo 8A was replaced in the spring of 1931 by the Tipo 8B. The 7.4-liter overhead valve, overhead cam, inline-eight cylinder engine delivered 160 horsepower at 3,000 RPM and was paired to a three-speed manual transmission. A four-speed Wilson pre-selective manual transmission was optional. The engine's block, pistons, and connecting rods were made of a new nickel-steel alloy. The bare chassis was priced at nearly $10,000, again amongst the most expensive anywhere.

As the Great Depression robbed buyers of the resources necessary to acquire the Isotta Fraschini, sales dwindled. 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. Giustino Cattaneo, Isotta Fraschini's technical director since 1905, resigned in 1933. The final Tipo 8B left the assembly line in the summer of 1934.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022