Fiat 8V

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1955 Fiat 8V Berlinetta Coupe, 1 of only 3 built by Fiat.

The Fiat 8V (or "Otto Vu") is a sports car produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1952 to 1954. The car was introduced at the 1952 Geneva Motor Show. The name 8V was choosen because they thought that Ford had trademarked the name "V8". Only 114 cars were made in a few different versions. They weren't a commercial success, but did well in racing. Apart from the differential the card did not share any parts with the other Fiats (but many parts were made by Siata and they used them for their cars). The 8V was developed by Dante Giacosa and the stylist Fabio Lucio Rapi. The engine was a V8 originally designed for a luxury sedan, but that project was stopped. The Fiat V8 had a 70 degree V configuration of up to up a 1996 cc of volume, at 5600 rpm the engine produced 105 hp in standard form giving a top speed of 190 km/h. The engine was connected to a four speed gearbox. The car had independent suspension all round and drum brakes on all four wheels.

34 of the cars had a factory produced bodywork by Carozzeria Speciale FIAT. Some cars had the bodywork done by other Italian coachbuilders. Carozzeria Zagato made 32 that they labelled "Elaborata Zagato". Ghia and Vignale also made bodyworks. Most were coupés, but some spyders were made as well.