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1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic
kfz-tech.de/YFi275
V8 engine (72°), 1.996 cm3 (72,0 mm * 61,3 mm), compression ratio 8,5 : 1, crankshaft triple bearing, engine block and cylinder heads light metal, engine control ohv, 4 Weber
double
downdraught carburetors 36 DCF 3, torque 146 Nm at 3600 rpm, 77-93 kW (105-127 SAE-HP) at 6000 rpm, front engine, rear drive, four-speed, manual, 3. and 4. synchronized, suspension f/r,
double wishbone, brakes f/r, drums with aluminum edging, hydraulically, steering, worm, roll, wheels, 165 x 400, central locks, wheelbase 2.400 mm, length 4.060 mm, width 1.500 mm, height 1.290 mm,
tank capacity, 82 liters, payload 140 kg, kerb weight 1.000 kg + driver, 190-210 km/h, production 15 cars (?), Paris 1953.
This chapter is intended as a tribute to the additional design features found in many special Fiat-based car bodies. You can see more of them at the bottom. But for now, let's focus on the Fiat 8V Supersonic.
The name already reveals that the designer is very close to the world of aircraft. It was Giovanni Savonuzzi, who had already earned his merits in the design of Cisitalia and was now head of design at Ghia.
Supersonic means 'supersonic' and goes back to Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier for the first time in 1947 with the Bell-1 at a speed of over 1,200 km/h. The name should be associated with
progress, courage, and confidence.
Of course, this car was still a long way from reaching such performance levels, which have never been achieved by a vehicle built for public roads, but we are also told about a trip to Mars, which all experts
simply shake their heads at.
So dreams sustain humanity. After all, Savonuzzi clearly based the design on this dream. The design itself strongly resembles airplanes, and the glass dome the cockpit of one. Rear fins and taillights
contributed to this effect.
No, the design was originally made for the Alfa Conrero with a 1.9 liter four-cylinder engine. However, it crashed during a race, so Ghia adapted the bodywork for the Fiat. Fortunately, the V8 does not take up
much more space in the engine compartment.
Originally, it had also been intended for the Fiat 1900. So he competed here with a four-cylinder engine as well. It fitted perfectly into this environment and delivers impressive performance for the age and
displacement. If you add in the independent suspension all round, it was ahead of its time.
In the chapter 'Fiat V81952', you will also find a video of the auction of one of the remaining models. There have been American V8s, an engine from the AC Cobra, technology from Jaguar, and
Aston Martin.
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