Fiat representation at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was thin on the ground; however the brand's superb heritage was perfectly thrust into the limelight by an immaculate 1953 'Otto Vu' exotically rebodied by Ghia.

Fiat representation at the recent Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was very thin on the ground indeed; however the brand's long and superb heritage was perfectly thrust into the limelight against tough opposition by an immaculate Fiat 'Otto Vu', in this case an example that had been exotically rebodied by Ghia.

The 1953 Fiat 8V Ghia Supersonic was entered at Pebble Beach in Class O-2 Postwar Touring by David and Ginny Sydorick of Beverly Hills, California. The car, one of just 14 'Supersonics' hand-crafted by Ghia, picked up third in class (1st 1948 Delahaye 135MS Faget-Varnet Cabriolet; 2nd 1954 Pegaso Z102B Saoutchik Berlinetta) to add to the first prize it collected at the Concorzo d'Eleganza Villa d'Este last year.

The Geneva Motorshow of 1952 saw the launch of a new Fiat, the 'Otto Vu'. A two seat coupe, the 8V was really a statement of what Fiat could do if it wanted to, there being no realistic plans for volume production. The entire car was new, with virtually no parts carried over from another Fiat model (the differential was about the only exception, being from the Campagnola).

The heart of the car was an all new 70 degree 2-litre V8 engine. Designed originally to go in a top-of-the-range 1900, it was destined to be used only in the 8V. Originally with two carburettors and 105bhp it later got three carburettors and 115bhp or even 127bhp in tuned form (higher compression ratio plus other modifications). The resulting top speed of 190km/h was exceptional for its time, and was aided by the very aerodynamic body, developed in a wind tunnel, including features such as rear wheel spats and staggered seating to enable the cockpit to be as narrow as possible. The body was steel, with the panels welded to a tubular chassis. The suspension featured the first use by Fiat of an independent layout on all four wheels with double wishbones, coil springs and telescopic dampers. Many of the casting for the suspension were from light alloy, as were the diff casing and brakes.

The original design, by Rapi, had two headlights in the wings and two in the grille, but after 34 had been built the design was changed to have both in the wings in a slanted layout. Other carrozzeria also built bodies on the 8V chassis, including Ghia and Siata. In 1954 a version with a fibreglass body was shown. A total of 114 cars were built until 1954.