1928 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Super Spinto

December 15, 2022 • Leave a Comment

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Chassis 1353, built in highest performance Super Spinto trim, with a boattail cabriolet body by LeBaron. It was a luxury car, produced from 1924 until 1931. It had a 7.3 liter straight eight, the most powerful mass-produced straight-eight in the world at that time. In this Super Spinto trim, the engine produced 160 hp and three-speed synchromesh transmission, capable of 100 mph. Four-wheel brakes were introduced already in 1909 and the chassis had either 145-inch or 134-inch wheelbase.

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In theory, Isotta Fraschini only produced one model - the Tipo 8. There were many variations produced, which occasionally were different as a night and day. Every modification stood out for its uniqueness and great attention to detail.

#cobblebeachconcours #isottafraschini #classiccars #vintagecars #collectorcar 1928 Isotta Fraschini

Isotta Fraschini was founded in the early 1900s, when Cesare Isotta and Vincenzo Fraschini decided to establish a company engaged in import, sale, and repair of cars. From very first days the new company specialized in the sale of French cars in the Italian market. The first Isotta Fraschini debuted in 1905. This was a race car, which was powered by 17.2 litre engine generating one hundred horsepower. This first entry was not successful, but the quality and meticulousness of the Isotta Fraschini fueled collaboration with other manufacturers. A lack of capital was always a problem. To become a full fledged manufacturer, they needed to have a bank account of more than five- or six- figure in the bank.

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In 1912 Isotta Fraschini introduced a straight eight-cylinder engine, which would not go into production until 1919 due to World War I. During the war, the company was building airplane engines. When the war was over, the engine was used to power Tipo 8, making it the first straight eight-cylinder engine to go into production. It was under the guidance of the chief designer Giustino Cattaneo, who joined the company in 1905, that Isotta Fraschini flourished and became the favourite of well-heeled Europeans and Americans alike when Tipo 8 was introduced.

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The Isotta Fraschini was the most expensive motorcar ever produced in Italy. They were delivered to the dignitaries and royalty of the period. It was considered by auto buyers throughout the world as the most desirable car to own. From the very beginning , Isotta Fraschini had its eyes set on United States market. By the late 1920s Isotta Fraschini had earned a reputation for both performance and luxury among the American byers. The United States elite began to show great interest in the marque, its becoming an integral part of Hollywood’s crème de la crème. The price of Isotta Fraschini at the time ranged from $20,000 to $35,000, and stars such as Greta Garbo, Clara Bow, the Aga Khan, King Faisal, William Randolph Hearst and Rudolph Valentino received sensational one-off cars. By 1931 the company was struggling as the Great Depression in the USA had severely affected sales of expensive vehicles.

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The vehicle shown at 2022 Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance is chassis 1353 designed and built in Super Spinto Trim. This pushed the engine output to an impressive 160 hp and guaranteed a top speed of 100 mph. It was shipped to noted coachbuilder LeBaron, who constructed its boattail cabriolet body featuring a single-passenger rumble seat. Upon completion it was put on display at the 1928 Ney York Auto Show where it was spotted by aviation pioneer Harry Williams and his wife, stage and silent film actress Helen Marguerite Clark.

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