Beautiful and powerful, as the Winged Goddess on its radiator. In this manner, with the majesty of an icon unaffected by the passing of time, a 1928 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A SS LeBaron Cabriolet opened the parade of its gorgeous siblings during the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance® last August 20th. Virtually an epiphany for us, considering that in recent months we have studied every detail of these magnificent cars to design the official tie of the concours: an exclusive limited edition accessory – available in just 50 pieces – dedicated precisely to the Isotta Fraschini brand.
Right in front of The Lodge we witnessed a breathtaking parade, something able to recall the gorgeous and wild “Roaring Twenties” and the sophisticated atmosphere of the prewar period. From the 1901 bare chassis model to the most elaborate descendants with 8-cylinder engines, including the 1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A SS Castagna Cabriolet winner in the Coachwork Open category, the 1929 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Castagna Limousine which won the title for the Coachwork Closed class and the gems of the Lopresto Collection.
Speed, fame, exceptional drivers and admirers are the ingredients of a unique story: the one of Isotta Fraschini brand, the Italian automaker active between 1900 and 1949 known by enthusiasts for having produced among the most luxurious and influential cars in history.
The Milanese company “Automobili Isotta, Fraschini e C.” was born in Milan on January 27, 1900 thanks to Cesare Isotta and the siblings Vincenzo, Oreste and Antonio Fraschini, a team of ambitious dreamers able to give life in a short time – with the technical support of engineer Giustino Cattaneo – to a brand that was able to perfectly embody the spirit of its time, becoming one of the most well-known and desired in the world.
The first true “superstar” designed by Isotta Fraschini was the 8A model, produced from 1924 to 1931. A cutting edge car, the first ever to be equipped with a straight-eight engine with a power of 61 hp and 7370cc, which allowed it to reach the speed of 150 kilometers per hour: a real cannonball considering the standards of that era!
The “Tipo 8” was not only powerful: it was also the celebration of the purest and most refined lavishness... A combination of aesthetical grace and mechanical innovation with a sky-high price – a quarter of a million lire (equivalent to seven Rolls Royce!) – therefore reserved for a small elite: from Prince Luigi Grimaldi of Monte Carlo to Pope Pius XI, from the writer Gabriele D’annunzio to movie stars such as Rodolfo Valentino, Clara Bow and Jack Dempsey.
World-class cars in every respect, the “Tipo 8” were the most exclusive, elegant and fastest cars of that time. A true condensation of the values and prestige of the Milanese brand: this is why we chose to frame three iconic 8A models to enclose the unmatchable cultural and stylistic heritage of Isotta Fraschini in the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance® tie.
“The Aristocrat of Automobiles”, as stated by a slogan of the period, stood in the collective imagery as a symbol of luxury and unmatched taste. “We don't need two cars, we have a car. Not one of those cheap new things made of chromium and spit, an Isotta-Fraschini. Have you ever heard of Isotta-Fraschini? All handmade!”, says Norma Desmond – divine protagonist of “Sunset Boulevard” – on her coupé de ville. It was a 1929 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A by Castagna. Then as now, the quality of “handmade in Italy” was a guarantee of extraordinary beauty and value: the same features that are easily recognizable in The Outlierman ties and products, entirely handmade by Italian master craftsmen.
A timeless class that is enclosed in the official tie of the 67th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. A collectible pure silk accessory made by hand and dedicated to those who love the exclusivity of limited edition collections and the memorability of a distinctive style. All enhanced by a sophisticated color combination: the flair of purple and the impeccable elegance of grey.
Today the silhouettes of three Isotta Fraschini 8A models – finely stylized by our designers – are portrayed on a precious accessory that transforms the regimental-inspired lines into refined runways on which the three cars look like the protagonists of an endless race as their legacy.
The result is a style detail for true Gentlemen, appreciated and worn by style experts such as Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance judges and now available in a limited edition of 50.
A tie for collectors and style lovers, which oozes class, passion for cars and timeless icons.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® is a trademark of Pebble Beach Company.
Used by permission.
1 commento
Belle auto!