Rare European Cars Follow American Muscle To Arizona

In its early years the Italian industrial giant was known for turning out a unique racer or three. Case in point is Bonhams’ Scottsdale Lot No. 60, a 1953 Fiat 8V Elaborata that saw top-tier racing action at the hands of celebrated Ferrari works driver Anna Maria Pedruzzi.

The 8V, so named because Ford already had dibs on the V8 moniker, was known locally as the Otto Vu (yes, Italian for 8V) and was Fiat’s admittedly rare attempt to break from its utilitarian roots and produce a true grand touring machine in the tradition of Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Ferrari, which would soon dominate that Italian GT niche for decades.

While a lot of the magic is found in the engine bay - home to a 2-liter designed by Dante Giacosa - the true eye-candy is the Zagato-bodied exterior, which features a period classic if rare double-bubble roof design.

The squint-and-it’s-an-Aston-DB5 look of the Otto Vu is accentuated by Ferrari-friendly Borrani wire wheels and Rudge knock-off hubs, and the ride itself benefits from an all-independent suspension anchored to a chassis fabricated by Siata, whose cars have considerable racing pedigree in their own right.

Fiat 8Vs competed in the top racing events of the day, including the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio, and this particular car took second place at the 1956 Coppa Internazionale delle Dame, a women-only race.

The following decades saw more international competition for this 8V at the hands of a series of gentleman drivers, before it eventually underwent a thorough restoration at the turn of the millennium.

Meanwhile, someone looking for a stately pre-war Mercedes-Benz will start here. The 630K La Baule Transformable with body by Jacques Saoutchik - say that three times fast - is a staggering statement of a car, featuring a removable top, dual windscreens and, most notably, a supercharged engine that made it a rocket for its day.

Of course the fashion of the day was to have an automaker’s raw mechanicals clothed by the best sheetmetal couturiers of the day, including Stabilimenti Farina, Carrozzeria Castagna and Carrosserie Saoutchik.

A refugee from Russia, Saoutchik the carpenter quickly established himself a purveyor of some of the most exquisite motorcar bodies money could buy.

Many of them, such as this 630K, which is expected to fetch between $1 million and $1.3 million, featured patented top mechanisms that saw the canvas roof disappear into body work and offered rear seat passengers the protection of a windshield that could also vanish out of view.

This fully restored La Baule, which was fittingly named after the seaside French resort town that hosted a top annual concours d’elegance, is “really special and likely to find its back to concours with its new owner,” says Greisen.

The third car Bonhams feels particularly proud of is the pride of two continents. The 1965 Iso Grifo A3 Competizione that boasts chassis DNA from famed one-time Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini and power courtesy of a big block 5.3-liter Chevy Corvette engine.

With an aluminum body created by Bertone’s Giorgietto Giugiaro, the Iso Grifo looks like it’s borrowed the best parts of a Lamborghini Miura (nose section) and a Maserati Bora (rear deck) with a bit of American muscle car flavor tossed in for good measure.

“I like to think of the Iso as an Italian Cobra,” says Greisen, nailing the car’s ethos in a phrase. And for $1.3 million to $1.5 million, this sleek Mediterranean snake can be yours.