1929 Isotta Fraschini 8A Castagna Roadster

1929 Isotta Fraschini 8A Castagna Roadster

This particular Tipo 8A – chassis number ‘1485’ – is believed to be the New York Auto Show car of 1929, which was displayed on the Castagna stand at the Hotel Commodore Automobile Salon in New York City. Milan-based Carrozzeria Castagna had been founded in the mid-19th Century when Carlo Castagna took over the carriage-making business of his erstwhile employer, a Mr. Ferrari. With the coming of motorised transport, Castagna turned to making motor bodies, specialising in the chassis of prestigious makes including Isotta Fraschini, Mercedes-Benz, Hispano Suiza, Daimler, Lancia, Duesenberg and Alfa Romeo. By 1920 Castagna was Italy’s biggest coachbuilder, with approximately 400 employees. However, the collapse of the American economy in the early 1930s and resulting closure of Isotta Fraschini was a serious blow to Castagna, which lost its biggest market and best customer at the same time. The firm went into decline, bodying its last cars in the early 1950s, but was revived in the mid-1990s and continues today.

Descriptions & pictures by ultimatecarpage & coachbuild & classiccars & Other