Photo: RM Sotheby's
In the olden days when Fiat was a more prolific automaker than it is today, the Italian brand used to make genuine sports cars. One of the most acclaimed efforts from Fiat is the bewitching 8V, a line of models manufactured in very limited numbers in the early ‘50s.
Despite the fact production ended in 1954 after 114 examples were made, the Fiat Otto Vu continued to dominate the Italian 2.0-liter GT championship until 1959. The 70-degree V8 that displaces only 1,996 cm3 was a marvel for its time, pushing the car to 190 km/h (118 mph) thanks to 105 horsepower.
Similarly wonderful is the way the Fiat 8V looks. From Vignale to Zagato, many coachbuilders dressed the Otto V8 to look as neat as possible. The pick of the bunch is Ghia’s interpretation of the darn thing. Dubbed 8V Supersonic, Carrozzeria Ghia bodied only eight such vehicles from the house of Fiat. As fate would have it, though, Ghia is now the in-house design studio and a name Ford uses for its top trim level in cars as mundane as the Fiesta.
The 8V Supersonic, however, is a proper Ghia, the kind of vehicle that’s as nice to look at as a carefully tended garden. Or a Victoria's Secret catalog, for that matter. Regarding the pictured Otto Vu, RM Sotheby’s will try to sell this jet age-inspired marvel at Amelia Island 2017, the kind of event where rare metal such as this fellow here is sold for huge bundles of dollar bills.
RM Sotheby’s experts have yet to put an estimate on this metallic teal-painted example of the breed, but bear in mind that an 8V in Supersonic attire is valued at $1.8 million in this day and age. The Supersonic features dual Weber carburetors, which ramp up the output from 105 to 110 ponies.
Somewhat rare for that particular epoch, the 8V Supersonic is gifted with four-wheel independent suspension of the wishbone variety, complete with coil springs and shock absorbers. The interior isn’t too shabby either, but then again, the pièce de résistance is the car's side profile. I mean, look at it!
Similarly wonderful is the way the Fiat 8V looks. From Vignale to Zagato, many coachbuilders dressed the Otto V8 to look as neat as possible. The pick of the bunch is Ghia’s interpretation of the darn thing. Dubbed 8V Supersonic, Carrozzeria Ghia bodied only eight such vehicles from the house of Fiat. As fate would have it, though, Ghia is now the in-house design studio and a name Ford uses for its top trim level in cars as mundane as the Fiesta.
The 8V Supersonic, however, is a proper Ghia, the kind of vehicle that’s as nice to look at as a carefully tended garden. Or a Victoria's Secret catalog, for that matter. Regarding the pictured Otto Vu, RM Sotheby’s will try to sell this jet age-inspired marvel at Amelia Island 2017, the kind of event where rare metal such as this fellow here is sold for huge bundles of dollar bills.
RM Sotheby’s experts have yet to put an estimate on this metallic teal-painted example of the breed, but bear in mind that an 8V in Supersonic attire is valued at $1.8 million in this day and age. The Supersonic features dual Weber carburetors, which ramp up the output from 105 to 110 ponies.
Somewhat rare for that particular epoch, the 8V Supersonic is gifted with four-wheel independent suspension of the wishbone variety, complete with coil springs and shock absorbers. The interior isn’t too shabby either, but then again, the pièce de résistance is the car's side profile. I mean, look at it!
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