1931 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A dual-cowl sports tourer (Castagna coachwork)

1664roadItaly

Engine: 7.4L OHV inline-eight, 110 bhp
Colour: Two-tone burgundy

Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A chassis 1664 is a rare dual-cowl sports tourer bodied by Castagna of Milan, completed around 1933 and believed exhibited at the Paris Salon that October. Featuring higher-specification 8A SS components, it has an exceptional film history, appearing alongside Peter Lorre, John Wayne, Claudette Colbert, and James Dean in productions spanning 1941 to 1956. The car subsequently passed through the hands of several distinguished American collectors and carries a comprehensive concours-level restoration.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$902,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1933 →Acquisition unknown
Joe Penner
partial documentation
American radio comedian believed by long-standing tradition to have been the first owner; no documentary confirmation cited in the prose.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Pacific Auto Rentals (George Schweiger Sr.)
partial documentation
West Coast vehicle-rental agency supplying cars to Hollywood film studios; the car appeared in multiple films during this period.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Matt and Barbara Browning
partial documentation
Noted Utah collectors who acquired the car sometime in the 1960s; the car appeared in this livery in a 1977 reference book on the marque.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Otis Chandler
partial documentation
Late owner of the Los Angeles Times, recognized for the exceptional caliber of his personal collection.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
J. Peter Ministrelli
partial documentation
Michigan-based enthusiast noted for carefully curated, high-quality holdings; ownership preceded the current consignor.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—
Restoration
Full concours-grade restoration carried out to a high modern standard, finished in a two-tone burgundy scheme; mechanical and cosmetic condition subsequently maintained at the highest level.
Described as having been completed some years prior to the catalogue date; specific workshop not identified.

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