FIAT’S EIGHT-CYLINDER SUPERCAR The Fiat 8V’s legacy as one of the most legendary cars ever built by the Italian marque was established at the very outset; it would be more than fair to say that the unique supercar caused a stir when it was introduced at the 1952 Geneva Motor Show.

Road & Track called it “the biggest surprise of the year,” and The Motor remarked that “the last thing which had been expected from Italy’s largest car factory was a truly streamlined 2-seater saloon.” This enthusiastic reaction was echoed by the upper crust of Europe’s gentlemen racers, and for good reason: The 8V’s performance was startling, capable of over 120 mph from its 1,996-cubic-centimenter narrow-angle V-8 engine.

Weighing in at just under 2,200 pounds and sitting on a chassis made by Siata, the 8V was designed for reactive handling thanks to its lightweight frame and relatively powerful engine.

Its impressive new powertrain was developed by Dante Giacosa, and the 2.0-liter, all-aluminum Tipo 104...