In the 1950's a managerial change at Fiat led the firm to build a V-8 engine on a special chassis with independent suspension all-round. During its brief life the Fiat "8V" was produced with variations on the theme by several body designers, including Ghia, Vignale and Zagato; also by its talented in-house stylist Fabio Lucio Rapi. The 1996 c.c. engine, a 70-degree configuration originally designed for a luxury sedan, produced 105 hp with a 4-speed gearbox, giving a top speed of 118 mph. One could no doubt argue over which of the Fiat eight-cylinder coupes was the most beautiful but this 1953 Fiat 8V Ghia Supersonic certainly impressed the judges at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours, for it finished third in the Postwar Touring Class. The car was also a past winner at the prestigious Villa D'Este concours in Italy and was shown at the Bagatelle Concours d'Elegance. Our Nigel Matthews was one of the judges at Pebble Beach, exhibiting, as always, an immaculate taste in vintage autos.

[Photo: Nigel Matthews]