1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Roadster by Fleetwood
This Isotta Fraschini Type 8 roadster, chassis 1174, was commissioned by silent-film star Rudolph Valentino through New York distributor Isotta Motors, with coachwork designed by LeBaron and constructed by the Fleetwood Metal Body Company. Valentino died before taking delivery; the completed car was exhibited at the 1926 New York Auto Salon and later given to socialite Peggy Hopkins Joyce. After passing through several notable American collections, including the Seal Cove Auto Museum and the Browning collection, it received a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration by RM Auto Restoration, completed in 2003, and subsequently earned Best of Show honors at numerous premier concours events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,500,000 – US$2,000,000
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003RestorationRM Auto Restoration
Comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration to authentic original condition, completed after approximately two years of work following the current owners' acquisition in 2001.
Restoration commenced shortly after the 2001 acquisition and was completed in 2003; the finished result subsequently earned Best of Show recognition at numerous premier concours events.
- 2017RestorationRM Auto Restoration
Preparation for the 2017 Pebble Beach appearance included fitting a correctly pleated interior matching period photographs, installing a period-correct hood in the original material, and freshening the existing restoration throughout.
Work was carried out in conjunction with ongoing provenance research that conclusively confirmed the car's identity as chassis 1174, the original Valentino commission.
- —Restoration
Initial restoration carried out in a bright blue finish during Howard Kizer's ownership, prior to exhibition at Midwest CCCA events in the 1960s.
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