Fiat 8V Demon Rouge

Among the ten Fiat 8V chassis bodied by Vignale, none stands out more than the unique and evocatively named Demon Rouge. As Fiat ended production of the 8V Berlinetta Sport, remaining chassis were distributed to coachbuilders across Turin and Milan, resulting in an array of bespoke Gran Turismo and competition cars. Chassis number 72, completed at Fiat’s Turin factory in April 1954, was delivered to Carrozzeria Vignale, where Giovanni Michelotti had been designing since 1949. Of the ten bodies Vignale built on the 8V chassis, Demon Rouge—designed during a dramatic overnight session in November 1954—is perhaps the most expressive. After an argument with his wife, Michelotti retreated with only salami sandwiches, whiskey, and cigarettes, emerging with the bold, near-final design sketched on paper. Approved in March 1955, the design was constructed alongside chassis 66, a competition Berlinetta built for the Mille Miglia. At the 37th Turin Auto Salon, the Demon Rouge replaced chassis 66 at the Vignale stand after its withdrawal by owner Mario Bonacina. Its French nickname—Red Demon—reflected Michelotti’s fondness for French, often used in Vignale’s naming. A striking Berlinetta with a panoramic Plexiglas roof, sweeping chrome moldings, and a dramatic truncated tail, Demon Rouge embodied both American inspiration and pure Italian craftsmanship. Its roof design—with integrated directional lights and aerodynamic rear lip—was as functional as it was avant-garde. Dr. Aldo Luino, a Vignale factory doctor, acquired the car after the show. He showcased it at the 1955 Campione d’Italia Elegance Concours, winning its class. After changing hands over the decades, Demon Rouge was awarded Best of Show at the 2004 Concours d’Elegance at Palace Het Loo and now resides in the Louwman Museum in The Hague, revered as a brilliant fusion of design, performance, and Italian flair.