Some Isotta Fraschinis by Touring

I wrote about 1930 vintage Castagna-bodied Isotta Fraschini cars here. There were many Internet images of them available from various auction houses, but I found few pictures taken when the cars were new.  The opposite is the case with this post dealing with Carrozzeria Touring bodies for Isotta in the same era.  I found several old photos, but no pictures of existing cars.

Perhaps this curiosity might be explained because Castagna did a lot of work on Isottas, whereas Touring seemed to favor Alfa Romeo and few or none of its Isotta Fraschinis survive.  My personal library has almost nothing dealing with Isotta Fraschini, so I hope readers can provide the needed information.

In the years around 1930, Isotta Fraschinis were powered by inline eight cylinder motors that required fairly long hoods.  However, hoods seen on these cars seem longer than necessary to house such engines.  Regardless, the proportions created by factory hoods made it easier for coachbuilders (who provided all Isotta bodies in those days) to create impressive designs.

Below are images of Isottas with Touring bodies.

Gallery

1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Coupé.

1927(ca.) Isotta Fraschini Weymann Coupé.  The car in the top image also seems to have a wood-and-fabric Weymann type body.

1932 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8B progetto "Tip-Top".

1932 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A SS Berlinetta.  This photo and the preceding one seem to be of the same car, though the captions derived from captions found on the Internet differ.

1932 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8B Limousine

1935(ca.) Isotta Fraschini Limousine.

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Some Castagna Isotta Fraschinis

In every automotive era except during and shortly after world wars, super-luxury / super-prestige cars were produced.  Around 1930 those marques included, among others, Duesenberg in the United States, Rolls-Royce and Daimler in Britain, Maybach in Germany, Hispano-Suiza in France, and Minerva in Belgium.

And for Italy there was Isotta Fraschini.  Its English language Wikipedia entry was not very useful at the time this post was drafted, so I suggest the Italian entry here or perhaps the French version, and have your computer translate.  Isottas from around 1930 were all equipped with custom-made bodies, and a leading supplier was carrozzeria Castagna conveniently based near Isotta Fraschini in Milan.  Its Italian Wikipedia entry is here.

Below are images of Castagna-built Isottas from that time.  The cars had in-line eight cylinder motors and their hoods were extremely long. With the exception of a 1933 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Dual Cowl Sports Tourer (not shown, but link here), Castagna bodies for Isotta I found on the Internet were basically conventional, but attractively styled.

An interesting Isotta Fraschini feature was the various (usually) Art Deco type chromed designs laid atop the grilles.  Some appeared on more than one car, others might have been unique.  Perhaps a knowledgeable reader can provide some background information in a comment.

Gallery

1928 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A "Commodore" Roadster Cabriolet by Castagna, RM Sotheby's photo.

Same car, rear 3/4 view.

1929 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A 7.4 Litre Sport Landaulette by Castagna, Bonhams photo.

Same car, rear 3/4 view.

1929 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Roadster by Castagna, for sale photo.

Same car, side view.

Same car, rear 3/4 view.

1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Boattail Cabriolet by Castagna, RM Sotheby's photo.

1930 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8A SS Torpedo Sport by Castagna.

1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A SS Cabriolet by Castagna, Bonhams photo.  This might be the same car as in the previous photo.

Same car, side view.

Same car, rear 3/4 view.

1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A "Commodore" Cabriolet by Castagna, Barrett-Jackson photo.

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Isotta Fraschini's Failed Postwar Return

The Isotta Fraschini firm stopped building its line of luxury cars in 1934, only to attempt a revival after World War 2.  The English language Wikipedia entry is here, but better-referenced versions are in French and Italian and can be given rough translations into English.

The revival failed to yield more than a few prototype cars.  All had rear-mounted V-8 motors, rear engines having been considered inevitable by 1930s futurists.  The first prototype had its radiators in the rear, but it was later converted to front radiator layout that the other cars were given.

I-F previously marketed types 8, 8A, and 8B, so the postwar car was branded Tipo 8C with the name Monterosa added.  Its Wikipedia entry is here and other information is here.

Gallery

This is the first (1947) prototype showing rear intakes to feed the radiators.  The front design is curious with the front of the "hood" sporting what looks like a chrome cap to a classic radiator grille -- with blank sheet metal where the grille would be located.  Flow-through fenders give this Zagato design a definite postwar feeling.  The overall effect is awkward despite the nicely done greenhouse.

The Boneschi firm designed and built this 1947 8C Cabriolet.  The Monterosa platform was large, befitting its luxury target market, and Boneschi seemed unable to avoid the ponderous design seen above.

Touring did two 8Cs, probably in 1948.  Above is a two-door coupe that looks like a slightly bloated version of contemporary Touring coupe designs for smaller cars.  The I-F grille seen here and on the Boneschi cabriolet is unhelpful.

The other Touring 8C is this six-window, four-door Berlina.  It too incorporates Touring styling cues, but greenhouse treatment makes this car seem less bloated than the coupe.

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