The worlds first production car with a straight eight engine was announced by this Turin company in 1919. It was not actually launched in the USA, seen here as the primary market for a luxury car, until 1922. Famous Americans did indeed buy the cars, but only some 450 out of a total production of 1380,which over a dozen years was hardly enough to justify the one-model policy adopted by the company.

Eight in line

Centered on the straight eight the Giustino Cattaneo design for the chassis and the running gear, was unremarkable. A straight eight as such was not new, and in effect the Isotti engine was made up of two four cylinder units on a common lightalloy block with a seperate head for each group of cylinders. The engine was smooth and flexible,but the power was hardly adequate and the Tipo 8 was heavy and sluggish. The handling was heavy and ponderous.

Improvements

The shortcomings were shortly resolved in the 8A of 1924. This had a 7372 cc 120 bhp engine and a top speed approaching 90 mph/145 kmh There was a 8ASS sports version in 1926, with a high commpression engine rated at 135 bhp; this was just a 100 mph/161 kpmh car. the redesigned 8B introduced for 1931, had a stiffer chassis, engine revving to 3,000rpm and an optional Wilson four-speed pre-selector gearbox. Few were sold and Isotta Fraschini turned away from car manufacture in 1935 to reappear briefly in the late 1940s

A late 8A with "special touring" bodywork by Castagna.

Photo Autopresse
MCMXCI, Edito-Service S.A. D1 078 02-15