Unique Cars for today and Beyond

The “Società Milanese d’Automobili Isotta Fraschini” was founded in Milan

in 1900 by a group of passionate and wealthy people, and soon became the most

prestigious Italian luxury car industry. The Type 8, presented in 1919, was one of

the first series production cars in the world fitted with a straight-8 cylinder engine,

and is a myth in the automobile world: produced only as a rolling chassis, it was

fitted with the most elegant and luxurious bodies. The dimensions were monumental;

the interiors were sophisticated lounges lavishly decorated with crystal, silver and

briar and upholstered with elegant Damask. Nothing was lacking on the Isotta

Fraschinis to ensure maximum comfort: from the lady’s vanity case, to the gentleman’s

set with its “moustache curler”. The car on show in the museum comes from

Pennsylvania and it was also owned by the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio’s son,

Veniero, who was the Isotta Fraschini agent in the United States. For 15 years

Luciano Nicolis devoted considerable efforts to restore this car to its original

condition. The restoration result is a masterpiece worthy of a legendary car.

The car was awarded the “Prix Puiforcat” prize in the “Louis Vuitton Classic”

concours d’elegance in 1990.