The honest one
With their design by Fabio Luigi Rapi, the Fiat 8V Berlinetta of the second series were already well dressed ex works. Even today, they are still instantly recognisable and get the attention they deserve. The fact that the 2-litre eight-cylinder engine also generates an unmistakable sound makes these beautiful Italians even more extraordinary. Of course, we have already told the whole story of these fine Fiat ‘Otto Vu’ in detail, and there is also a nice collection here.
This particular example, chassis number 106*000093*, also has a nice, continuous history. The vehicle, delivered on 26 June 1954, painted in Verde Metallizzata with a beige interior, went directly to the Fiat Dipartimento Esperience, where it was given the number plate ‘TO 165730’ – and remained as a test vehicle at the factory for three years. On 12 March 1957, the Turin pharmacist Giuseppe Vercellina bought the Fiat, and when he died in 1971, his three daughters inherited the vehicle. The next owners were also female: Lora Lamia Sergio had the Fiat 8V painted grey, and Rosangela Gibello, wife of the well-known racing driver Claudio Maglioli, kept the car until the late 80s. It was only in the 2010s that the Fiat left its home country for Belgium, but was allowed to return again and again for the ‘classic’ Mille Miglia.
Apart from the new colour, it can be assumed that this Fiat 8V is still very original, even the engine, 104.000*000139*, is still the same as 71 years ago. The vehicle has a wonderful patina, probably because it was fortunately never over-restored in the USA. Well, that could change: Gooding & Co. is auctioning #000093 at Amelia Island in March 2025, with estimates of $1–1.4 million.
More beautiful automobiles can be found in our archive.
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