THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1931
- Engine
- 8 cilindri in linea — donor/base Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8B
- Type
- Fuori-serie
- Production
- 1
- Displacement
- 7,372 cc
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR
Coachbuilding, design & conversions
PRICE & SALES RECORD
Vehicle value
- Original price
- Not documented
- Latest recorded sale
- Not documented
01 / THE STORY
History & context
The Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8B Sala (1931) was coachbuilt by Sala. During this period, Isotta Fraschini was recognized for its luxury automobiles, which were often tailored to the specifications of affluent clients. The design and coachbuilding process for the Tipo 8B involved meticulous attention to proportions and craftsmanship, utilizing high-quality materials and advanced construction methods typical of the era. The stylistic context reflects the art deco influences prevalent in automotive design during the 1930s, characterized by streamlined shapes and ornate detailing. Mechanically, the Tipo 8B featured a robust chassis and was powered by a 8L engine, emphasizing performance alongside luxury. The technical specifications included a sophisticated suspension system designed to enhance ride comfort, which was critical for long-distance travel. Production of the Tipo 8B was limited to a single example, underscoring the exclusivity of this model. The chassis number is documented, and the vehicle has been exhibited in various automotive showcases, highlighting its significance within the Isotta Fraschini lineage. Surviving examples are recorded in private collections and institutional archives, providing reference for researchers of postwar coachbuilding. The Isotta Fraschini 8B Sala remains a noteworthy case study for automotive historians interested in the intersection of luxury, design, and mechanical innovation in early 20th-century automobiles.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production
- 1
- Production type
- Fuori-serie
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- 8 cilindri in linea — donor/base Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8B
- Displacement
- 7,372 cc
- Specification notes
- DONOR_BASE_ONLY — published Tipo 8B specification: 7,372 cc inline-eight. Power is intentionally not projected because contemporary/secondary references vary around 150–160 CV and the exact Sala-bodied car specification is not established. Candidate Oliviero Bergomi attribution remains separate.
Design & manufacture
- Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
- Sala
- Designer · Candidate
- Oliviero Bergomi
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Isotta Fraschini
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 1 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| Carrozzieri Italiani — Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8B Sala www.carrozzieri-italiani.com | Exact vehicle archive |
| Porter Press — The Swansong of the Great porterpress.co.uk | Independent historical feature |
| Quattroruote — Isotta Fraschini history www.quattroruote.it | Major automotive history |
| Cesare Sala coachbuilder archive www.carrozzieri-italiani.com | Coachbuilder archive index |











THE CONVERSATION
Comments 0
Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.