Breathtakingly restored example, subject of a deeply documented, comprehensive six-year restoration completed by Strada e Corsa in the Netherlands with invoices exceeding € 400.000,- Euro’s
One of just 34 series I examples built
26 of 34 first-series cars retained the original shapes designed by Luigi Fabio Rapi and were not re-bodied or modified. Of these 26, there is specific news of just 7exemplars surviving to date, three were destroyed, and one was dismantled. There is no news about the remaining 15
The Fiat 8V maintains a legacy as one of the Italian marque’s most iconic cars
1,996 CC OHV 70 ̊ V-8 Engine
The 6th 8V ever built
Mille Miglia Eligible
Participant in 5 Mille Miglia retrospectives during 2003-2008
The 8V’s tipo 106 chassis was one the world’s most advanced, challenging the finest offerings from Ferrari or Maserati with four-wheel independent suspension (a Fiat first), and Borrani wire wheels with Rudge knock-off hubs.
Completed chassis were sent to the Carrozzerie Speciali FIAT in Lingotto, where they were clothed with an elegant new coupe design by Fabio Lucio Rapi that was aerodynamically fine-tuned in the Turin wind tunnel.
The Otto Vu made its public debut at the Geneva Salon in March 1952, and immediately impressed all who saw it with Fiat’s ability to produce such a jewel-like automobile.
The prototype used an art deco grill that extended into the hood.
A second series was made featuring four headlights with some of the later cars have a full-width windscreen.
The series I example is by most collectors considered as the most beautiful series.
The Fiat V8 has a 70-degree V configuration of up to a 1996 cc of volume, at 5600 rpm the engine produced 105 hp in standard form giving a top speed of 190 km/h.
Just 114 of this high-performance coupé’s were produced, 63 of which with a “Fiat Carrozzerie Speciali” body, 34 first-series and 29 second-series.
The Rapi version of the 8V was developed specifically for racing, with a tuned engine and lightweight body.
In 1953, a Fiat 8V Rapi driven by Carlo Abarth and Guido Scagliarini won its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Another Fiat 8V Rapi, driven by Piero Taruffi, won the overall championship in the 1954 Italian National Sports Car Championship.
8Vs eventually went on to record a total of 43 class victories in the GT category, a feat almost unheard of in motor sport industry.
ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE
This gorgeous example is the 6th 8V ever built, after the six pre-production ones, it is the 12th of all the Fiat 8V produced, and is between the oldest surviving car with this type of bodywork.
26 of 34 first-series cars retained the original shapes designed by Luigi Fabio Rapi and were not re-bodied or modified.
Of these 26, there is specific news of just 7exemplars surviving to date, three were destroyed, and one was dismantled. There is no news about the remaining 15.
This specific example was delivered new to Filiale di Piazza Solferino in Turin, on the 9th of April 1953.
It is understood to have been raced in a variety of local and regional races, probably in the Italian GT Series, throughout the mid-50s.
In July 1963 it was imported into the UK by Mr. W.R. Phillips in Manchester and acquired by the car dealer Dan Marqulies in London, later that year.
In 1967 it was acquired by Ivan Dutton, a professional race driver and later a well known Bugatti specialist.
(Enthusiasm for the Bugatti marque had been nurtured by his father, whose stories of Brooklands between the wars led to the formation of the Bugatti restoration company in 1979).
In 1974 the 8V was sold to the private Wood Museum in High Wycombe where it remained until 1989.
In 1989 it was acquired by Brian Classic and sold to Mr. Paul Cooke in June 1989 as a restoration project.
The car was the subject of a full restoration between 1989 and 1996 by Densham’s under the guidance of Douglas Blain, publisher of the Automobile magazine.
In October 2001 Mr. Cooke sold the car to Mr. Roger Earl from Surrey.
This example has been the subject of a numerous magazine articles and has been invited to take part in almost every major historic event.
In July 2001 the car appeared in the ‘Cartier Exhibition’ at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
In June 2002, 2003 and 2004 it participated in the ‘Le Mans Cavalcade’.
It successfully finished the 2003 and 2005 Tour de France Auto.
It raced at the Goodwood Revival meeting in September 2003, 2004 and 2008.
It raced at le Mans in the ‘Legends’ race in 2005 and 2006.
It successfully raced in 5 editions of the Mille Miglia: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
The Fiat was acquired by a new owner in 2010, a Mr. Wackermann from Bremen, a city straddling the Weser River in northwest Germany.
The 8V was sold the 15th of February 2020 to its former Dutch owner, who has spent an impressive € 400,000 on it over the last four years.
The works were undertaken at the restoration specialist ‘Strada e Corsa’ based near Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The quality of their work has been recognized on numerous occasions, with overall and class victories at Villa d’Este, Pebble Beach, Palm Beach Cavallino Classic and other prestigious events.
The result is a lightweight streamlined Berlinetta in remarkably well prepared condition.
The person who gave the order for the restoration is very well known by us.
An amazing gentlemen who was willing to spend an enormous amount of money to get the best possible result but also a person who didn’t rush the process resulting in the fact that the restorers were given the time to deliver superb quality.
This specific example retains the original bodywork and it has the originally fitted perspex side and rear windows for lightness.
The colour is also original, established by photo forensic analysis of the paintwork before restoration.
The quality of the project speaks for itself, with all works being completed in 2024.
CONDITION EXTERIOR
What is striking at first sight are the impeccable finishes.
The beautiful lines of its aluminium body showing a restrained elegance.
Breathtakingly restored, with jewel-like details throughout, the Fiat 8V is as clean underneath as it is on top, having been very well kept since the completion of its restoration.
The paint gloss is excellent and beautifully deep like a mirror.
The body details such as the subtle curves but also the fittings of the doors, boot and bonnet are clearly describable as excellent.
The windows have also been replaced during the restoration resulting in beautiful glass without signs of use. The same can be mentioned about the rubbers and all other details of the car.
The Borrani wheels have been beautifully restored and are correctly finished with the polished chrome spinners.
A fantastic feature are the lamps on the grille. Putting these on in the dark make the car a very mysterious appearance in the dark.
CONDITION INTERIOR
All of the seats, door cards and rear section present exceptionally well and according to the factory’s specification for their homologated “works’ competition cars.
The freshly trimmed leather upholstery, carpets, and dashboard are in excellent order.
The instrumentation needs an extra description as we had never seen such a nice instrument panel. If no light it’s needed the instrumental panel is a piece of art. If the light is turned on in the night you cannot imagine what you see keeping in mind this car is built in the 1950’s.
ENGINE BAY/UNDERNEATH
The engine bay and underpart of the 8V are in absolute superb concours + condition. The engine bay as well as the underpart is probably nicer then new.
Please take a careful look at the pictures which give a good impression about these parts of the car as well as of the quality of the amazing restoration.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The body of the Fiat 8V Berlinetta is made of aluminum and featured a sleek and aerodynamic design, which was ahead of its time.
The car’s low profile and streamlined body allowed it to cut through the air with minimal resistance, which translated into excellent handling and outstanding performance at high speeds.
The driver’s position is low, with excellent visibility over the hood and a clear view of the road ahead.
When the engine is started the sound is amazing but even more amazing is the overall handling of the car. It handles as it looks. Extremely special and beautiful.
Once started, the engine emits an evocative yet subdued growl, and is supremely flexible on the road.
Overall, this Fiat 8V Berlinetta is a remarkable car, which combine excellent performance, outstanding design, and exclusive rarity.
