Fiat 8V

The Fiat 8V, also called Otto Vu, was a V8-engined sports car produced by the Italian car manufacturer Fiat from 1952 to 1954 and introduced at the 1952 Geneva Motor Show. It got its name because Fiat believed at the time that Ford held a copyright on the name V8. Dante Giacosa developed it with the stylist Luigi Rapi, and apart from the differential it shared no parts with other Fiats; Siata made many of its parts. Its 70 degree V8 displaced 1,996 cc and had two twin-choke Weber carburettors, giving 105 PS and a top speed of 190 km/h in the first version, with later versions reaching 127 PS. A four-speed gearbox, drum brakes and the first independent suspension all round on a Fiat completed it. Only 114 of the high-performance coupes were built, and it was no commercial success, but it won the Italian 2-litre GT championship every year until 1959. Ghia, Zagato and others made special bodies.