1954 Fiat 8V Berlinetta Series II
Fiat produced only 114 examples of the 8V between 1952 and 1954, with just 29 being Series II factory-bodied cars designed by Fabio Luigi Rapi.
Introduced in 1954, the Series II featured a revised front end that relocated the large headlights from the grille to the fenders, creating the distinctive four-headlight arrangement that set it apart from the 34 first-series cars.
The design included partially covered rear wheels, a split windshield, and a fastback roofline that tapered into a rounded tail, with dual exhaust outlets emphasizing its V8 power.
Power came from a 1,996cc (2.0-liter) V8 engine designed under the direction of Dante Giacosa. The 70-degree unit featured dual twin-choke Weber carburetors and produced approximately 105 horsepower at 5,600 rpm in standard tune, giving the car a top speed of about 118 mph.
A four-speed manual gearbox transmitted power to the rear wheels, and independent suspension was fitted at all four corners (a sophisticated setup for its time).
The 8V proved highly successful in motorsport, dominating the Italian GT Championship by winning the 2.0-liter class five consecutive years from 1954 through 1958. Interestingly, the “8V” name originated from Fiat’s mistaken belief that Ford had already trademarked the term “V8.”
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