The name Fiat is in the air these days. So much so that even classic cars bearing this Italian name now make the headlines, as where before stories about them would serve as fillers and last minute news.
Well, this time, the buzz is not caused by a MINI contender, but rather by a futuristic looking Ghia-styled coupe. A 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic, one of only eight aluminum-bodied sports car built by the famous coachbuilder on a Fiat chassis, was entered in this year’s Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.
This 8V (“Otto Vu” in Italian) made sensation when it was unveiled at the 1953 Paris Motor Show. Celebrated by the press as a new competition for Maserati and Ferrari, it came to market later and sold for a handsome $3,100. That same year, the very first Corvette in history was being launched and sold for $3,498 ($4,994 in Canada). Compared to the fiberglass-bodied Chevy roadster, the limited-production Supersonic must have looked like a real bargain at the time!
The car that will be on exhibit at Meadow Brook was purchased by Detroit manufacturers of the day interested in studying its spectacular design and engineering. It was equipped with a 115-horsepower 2.0-litre overhead-valve 70-degree V8 Fiat engine.
Today, it is part of David Sydorick’s collection. This retired investment broker lives in Beverly Hills and is well known for his collection. Every one of his 20 cars or so is all equally special. But the jewel of his collection is a 1947 Ferrari Spyder Corsa bearing serial number 002C, making it one of the oldest Ferraris in existence.
The Fiat 8V Supersonic is one of several exciting entries in the Sports Car class. Others include:
1967 Ferrari P3/4 (chassis 0846)
1964 Cobra 427
1966 Ghia 450 SS
1967 Morgan Super Sports
1953 Nash Healey LeMans Coupe Pinin Farina
1966 Abarth 100sp
1967 Lancia Flaminia Zagato SS
1960 Ferrari 400 SuperAmerica
1953 Cisitalia Concept Car
1954 Jaguar XK 120SE
But the Sports Car class is only one of 25 this event, which is marking its 30th anniversary with a celebration of... “The Best of Detroit”. Think of diversity!
Considered as one of the most prestigious classic automobile exhibitions in the world, the Concours d’Elegance is held annually on the historic grounds of Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Michigan. This year, it takes place on August 2.
For more information about the 2009 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, visit www.mbconcours.org.
photo:Meadow Brook Concours Elegance
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| In all, Ghia built twelve Supersonic bodies. Eight were built using a Fiat 8V chassis; three sued a Jaguar chassis and one an Aston Martin chassis. |
Well, this time, the buzz is not caused by a MINI contender, but rather by a futuristic looking Ghia-styled coupe. A 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic, one of only eight aluminum-bodied sports car built by the famous coachbuilder on a Fiat chassis, was entered in this year’s Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.
This 8V (“Otto Vu” in Italian) made sensation when it was unveiled at the 1953 Paris Motor Show. Celebrated by the press as a new competition for Maserati and Ferrari, it came to market later and sold for a handsome $3,100. That same year, the very first Corvette in history was being launched and sold for $3,498 ($4,994 in Canada). Compared to the fiberglass-bodied Chevy roadster, the limited-production Supersonic must have looked like a real bargain at the time!
The car that will be on exhibit at Meadow Brook was purchased by Detroit manufacturers of the day interested in studying its spectacular design and engineering. It was equipped with a 115-horsepower 2.0-litre overhead-valve 70-degree V8 Fiat engine.
Today, it is part of David Sydorick’s collection. This retired investment broker lives in Beverly Hills and is well known for his collection. Every one of his 20 cars or so is all equally special. But the jewel of his collection is a 1947 Ferrari Spyder Corsa bearing serial number 002C, making it one of the oldest Ferraris in existence.
The Fiat 8V Supersonic is one of several exciting entries in the Sports Car class. Others include:
1967 Ferrari P3/4 (chassis 0846)
1964 Cobra 427
1966 Ghia 450 SS
1967 Morgan Super Sports
1953 Nash Healey LeMans Coupe Pinin Farina
1966 Abarth 100sp
1967 Lancia Flaminia Zagato SS
1960 Ferrari 400 SuperAmerica
1953 Cisitalia Concept Car
1954 Jaguar XK 120SE
But the Sports Car class is only one of 25 this event, which is marking its 30th anniversary with a celebration of... “The Best of Detroit”. Think of diversity!
Considered as one of the most prestigious classic automobile exhibitions in the world, the Concours d’Elegance is held annually on the historic grounds of Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Michigan. This year, it takes place on August 2.
For more information about the 2009 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, visit www.mbconcours.org.
 |
| A 115-hp 2.0-litre OHV Fiat V8 powered this sports car. |
photo:Meadow Brook Concours Elegance