1931 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A All-Weather Landaulet Limousine (Castagna coachwork)
Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A chassis 1628, bodied by Castagna as a Landaulet Imperiale, was delivered new in March 1931 to a New York socialite whose family connection to the Singer sewing machine fortune gave her a prominent place in early-motoring society. The car passed through a distinguished chain of American collectors, including pioneering Chicago enthusiast D. Cameron Peck, and appeared at the 1991 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it claimed third in class and the Charles Chayne Memorial Trophy. An older restoration of notably restrained character preserves much original Castagna woodwork and hardware.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$368,000
- 1931-03-17 → 1948Private saleJean Boalt Chambersfull documentation
Purchased new from Isotta Motors of New York, trading in a prior Tipo 8A. Wife of attorney Robert A. Chambers; the car was kept at their Long Island estate and is documented in the original bill of sale.
- 1948 →Private saleD. Cameron Peckfull documentation
Chicago-based early automobile collector who acquired the car via dealer Gordon Ayre for $250. The transaction is recorded in the Peck Car Record, now held by the Detroit Public Library.
- 1954 → 1961Acquisition unknownJ. Grosspartial documentation
Owned the car from 1954 through at least 1961; no further details provided.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJ.A. Reitzelpartial documentation
Evanston, Illinois owner; acquired from Peck.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRobert J. Fitzpatrickpartial documentation
Toronto, Ontario owner, referenced in the May–June 1976 issue of Antique Automobile magazine.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDr. Irwin Ginsbergpartial documentation
Noted collector based in Buffalo, New York.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRichard and Linda Kughnpartial documentation
Detroit-based noted collectors; the Pebble Beach appearance in 1991 occurred during this period of ownership.
Competition
- 19911991 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance3rd in Class; Charles Chayne Memorial Trophy for Most Significant Engineering Achievement
- —Horse show, Southampton
A surviving period photograph documents the car's attendance at a Southampton horse show during the Chambers ownership era.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A comprehensive restoration of an earlier generation that preserved substantial original Castagna coachwork elements, including body woodwork bearing the original body number stamp, and period-correct hardware throughout.
The restoration is described as unusually conservative in approach for its era, with all interior and exterior finishes remaining in strong presentable condition.
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