Fiat 8V Vignale

The Fiat 8V Vignale chassis 000051, one of the finely tailored Fiat 8V Coupes bodied by Carrozzeria Vignale, showcases the hallmark design language of Giovanni Michelotti, whose hand shaped many of Vignale’s most elegant post-war creations. Believed to have been completed around the middle of 1953, its early life remains shrouded in mystery, with no definitive records of its first owner or where it was delivered—though evidence suggests it made its way to California by 1957, most likely after passing through France. It wasn’t long before the car was acquired by Richard Egizi, a dedicated enthusiast and early collector of rare Italian machinery. Egizi would go on to own the car for an impressive 35 years, from the late 1950s until 1992, preserving its integrity and rarity through a time when many 8Vs were being modified or forgotten. Following Egizi’s ownership, Bruce Milner took possession of chassis 00051 and commissioned a comprehensive restoration from the specialists at Auto Restorations in New Zealand. During this meticulous process, the team uncovered the car’s original color scheme, which then guided the final finish—faithfully bringing the coupe back to the configuration envisioned by Michelotti and Vignale. The results of the restoration were immediately recognized on the world stage. In 2002, the car was awarded Best in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, triumphing in a dedicated Fiat 8V category over seven other competitors. Its success didn’t end there. Over a decade later, it once again earned top honors, this time at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, reaffirming its significance among the most prestigious circles of classic car connoisseurs. Chassis 000051 continued to make notable appearances on the concours and show circuit, including the Techno Classica Essen in 2014 and 2016, and again at The Quail and McCall Motorworks Revival in 2013. In 2015, it was offered for sale at the Gooding & Co. Amelia Island Auction, a testament to its enduring appeal and desirability.