Car of the Week: 1953 Fiat V8 Vignale Coupe

[mongooz]

When the 8V Coupe was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1952, the car world collectively stood up and took notice. Developed in secret, the 8V, or Otto Vu, was Fiat’s first eight-cylinder vehicle, sporting a body and chassis that was both beautiful and groundbreaking. It was a watershed moment for the marque, boosting Fiat’s image to the same level as the other major Italian automakers. Part of this was the way in which the 8V catapulted Fiat onto the racing scene, garnering multiple top finishes and eventually going on to become the Italian 2-liter GT Champion in 1954.

In total, only 114 examples were created, 34 of which were classified under the Reparto Carrozzerie Speciali, or “Special Bodies Department,” which saw coachbuilders like Zagato, Pininfarina, Ghia and Vignale hammering out custom designs that further increased the car’s desirability and aesthetic appeal. Only nine 8V Vignale Coupes were built, including the turquoise and blue example you see here.

• Engine/Motor: V8
• Horsepower: 105 @ 6000
• Torque: 107 @ 4600
• Model: 1953 Fiat 8V Vignale Coupe

 

[Flatspotter]

Oooh, nice! I think I'd prefer the roof be the same color, though.

 

[tiger roach]

Sweet! Looks ahead of its time for '53.

 

[Gorgon90]

Nice looking car. This would be acceptable to have parked in my non-existent drive.

 

[mongooz]

Nice looking car. This would be acceptable to have parked in my non-existent drive.

i'd love to spend some time tooling around the back roads of Tuscany in it.

 

[Jbird]

105 horsepower from a V8?

 

[mongooz]

105 horsepower from a V8?

well, it's only 2200 lbs, so the 105 might not be too bad.
the final version of it had 125 hp, and was good for 124 mph.

 

[B Valley]

That's a beautiful car.

 

[Monson]

Lovely. Just lovely.

 

[Andrew Sak]

I thought they only made tiny cars.
Very nice.

 

[bsman]

I see now where Jaguar got their styling cues for the S and J types. That's pretty neat looking!

 

[DinoMikeSr]

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When the 8V Coupe was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1952, the car world collectively stood up and took notice. Developed in secret, the 8V, or Otto Vu, was Fiat’s first eight-cylinder vehicle, sporting a body and chassis that was both beautiful and groundbreaking. It was a watershed moment for the marque, boosting Fiat’s image to the same level as the other major Italian automakers. Part of this was the way in which the 8V catapulted Fiat onto the racing scene, garnering multiple top finishes and eventually going on to become the Italian 2-liter GT Champion in 1954.

In total, only 114 examples were created, 34 of which were classified under the Reparto Carrozzerie Speciali, or “Special Bodies Department,” which saw coachbuilders like Zagato, Pininfarina, Ghia and Vignale hammering out custom designs that further increased the car’s desirability and aesthetic appeal. Only nine 8V Vignale Coupes were built, including the turquoise and blue example you see here.

• Engine/Motor: V8
• Horsepower: 105 @ 6000
• Torque: 107 @ 4600
• Model: 1953 Fiat 8V Vignale Coupe

Love to give that a spin. Beautiful car. I see the engine and article says in would be in the 2 liter class and thats small but look at the revs. Bet it sounds killer. I had a 88 Plymouth Horizon 2.2l 4 banger and that little thing just would haul ass.