Rare Car Archive

Makes › Isotta Fraschini Italy › Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A · Rare production · 1919–1931

Isotta Fraschini
Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A

About 1,350 to 1,380 built together.

Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A (Wikimedia Commons search)
Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: AlfvanBeem · CC0 1.0
?ProductionNot yet verified
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
Not yet verified
Years
1919–1931
Engine
In-line eight (straight-eight) · 7,370 cc / 7.4 LFactory: 7,370 cc
Power
89.5 kW / 122 PSFactory: 120 hp · converted
Top speed
145 km/hFactory: 90 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Giustino Cattaneo (engineer)
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Tipo 8 was the first straight-eight put into series production in Italy, and the Tipo 8A was the marque's best-known car. Isottas were among the most respected luxury cars of their day and sold well in the United States, where they were second only to Rolls-Royce among foreign makes.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed Production figure not yet verified.
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

  • Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A (Wikimedia Commons search)Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A (Wikimedia Commons search)
    Photo: AlfvanBeem · CC0 1.0
  • Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A (Wikimedia Commons search)Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A (Wikimedia Commons search)
    Photo: Hektor · CC0 1.0
  • Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A (Wikimedia Commons search)Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A (Wikimedia Commons search)
    Photo: Luc106 · Public domain

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

No production figures recorded yet.

History

The Tipo 8 arrived in 1919 as a rolling chassis, with bodies supplied by outside coachbuilders.

The Tipo 8A replaced it in 1924 with a 7.3-litre straight-eight. The 8A and 8A S models were built to about 950 chassis up to 1931. Sales collapsed in the Depression, and in 1932 the aircraft maker Caproni took control of the company, which ended car production.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 and Tipo 8A.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutIn-line eight (straight-eight)1 Independently researchedSupercars.net lists an L-head; ritzsite describes overhead valves for the same 8A engine family. The conflict is not resolved here.
Cylinders81 Independently researched
Displacement 7,370 cc / 7.4 LFactory: 7,370 cc1 Independently researchedRitzsite gives 7372 cc for the 8A and 5898 cc for the Tipo 8.
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratioNot yet verified
ValvetrainOverhead valves2 Independently researched
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Power 89.5 kW / 122 PSFactory: 120 hp · converted1 Independently researchedStandard 8A figure. Ritzsite says about 120 hp and conceptcarz gives 115 to 160 metric hp across variants.
Power at 2,500 rpm1 Independently researched
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxThree-speed manual1 Independently researched
Gears31 Independently researched
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionSemi-elliptic leaf springs1 Independently researched
Rear suspensionSemi-elliptic leaf springs1 Independently researched
BrakesDrums front and rear1 Independently researched
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 3,680 mmFactory: 145 in · converted3 Independently researchedStandard chassis. The S and SS short chassis measured 134 inch on the same page.
LengthNot yet verified
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 145 km/hFactory: 90 mph · converted3Factory guarantee of capability, not a measured top speed.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Isotta Fraschini 8A Level C Supercars.net
    • Inline-8 w/L-Head
    • 7370 cc / 449.7 in
    • 120 bhp @ 2500 rpm
    • 3-Speed Manual
    • f suspension | Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
    • r suspension | Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
    • front brakes Drums
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  2. 2
    1st Concours d'Elegance Paleis Het Loo 1999, page 8 Level C ritzsite.net
    • with overhead valves
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  3. 3
    1924 - 1931 Isotta Fraschini 8A Castagna Torpedo Level C Wouter Melissen · Ultimatecarpage.com · 2005-10-17
    • extremely long wheelbase of 145 inch
    • capable of 90 mph
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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