Fiat 8V Demon Rouge

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat 8V Demon Rouge, an exceptional creation by Giovanni Michelotti and crafted by Vignale on the renowned Fiat 8V chassis, debuted at the Turin Motor Show in 1955, showcasing Michelotti’s ingenuity and forward-thinking design principles. Named “Démon Rouge” (red devil), this car captivated audiences with its distinctive features, including a semi-circular, vertical rear window integrated under an elongated roofline. This design element served an aerodynamic purpose, ensuring the rear window remained clean and dry even during heavy rain—a concept later adopted by other car manufacturers like Ford and Citroën. One of the Fiat 8V Demon Rouge’s most striking aspects is its roof, predominantly constructed from Plexiglas, which gives the illusion of an open-top vehicle. Ingeniously concealed door handles in the rear pillars further enhance its sleek and uncluttered profile. Notably, the car eschews traditional bumpers, and the headlights are elegantly framed within the grille, emphasizing its streamlined appearance. In 1955, the Fiat 8V Demon Rouge earned the prestigious first prize at the ‘Coppa Campione d’Italia’ Concours d’Elegance, solidifying its reputation as a masterpiece of automotive design. Nearly five decades later, in 2004, it achieved further acclaim by winning the ‘Best of Show’ award at the renowned Concours d’Elegance at Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn, Netherlands—a testament to its enduring appeal and timeless design. The Fiat 8V, nicknamed “Otto Vu” in Italian, remains Fiat’s only eight-cylinder model. Introduced in 1952 primarily for competing in events like the Mille Miglia, it was a high-performance sports car known for its exclusivity and price tag, which exceeded that of many prestigious contemporaries. With just 114 units produced, each featuring bespoke coachwork by Zagato, Ghia, or Vignale, the Fiat 8V stands as a rare and coveted piece of automotive history, celebrated for its engineering prowess and enduring aesthetic allure.