Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Limousine Sala

Vehicle Overview

The Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Limousine, chassis 1084, bodied by the esteemed Carrozzeria Cesare Sala in 1927, was a vehicle that exuded aristocratic dignity and refined performance—an impeccable match for its original owner, Count Gino de Martino of Rome. More than a nobleman, de Martino was a figure of foundational importance in Italian sport: an accomplished tennis player and a visionary sport manager. A descendant of an ancient noble family, Count Gino was the first president of the Associazione Italiana Lawn Tennis, founded in 1894. Just a year later, he didn’t simply organize tournaments—he dominated them, becoming Italy’s first absolute champion in both singles and doubles, the latter title won alongside his brother Uberto. His legacy extended well beyond national boundaries: in 1911, he became the first Italian to compete in a Grand Slam tournament, appearing at Wimbledon. Though he exited in the first round, he left an indelible mark, and that same year, he reclaimed the Italian championship and defeated the reigning Wimbledon champion, Anthony Wilding—a monumental achievement in Italian tennis history. But de Martino’s pursuits weren’t confined to the court. In 1927, he entered his splendid Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A into the prestigious Monte Carlo Concours d’Elegance, a stage where the world’s most refined automobiles met in a pageant of design and distinction. Among the Riviera’s elite, under the sharp sun and blue canopies of the Côte d’Azur, chassis 1084 stood tall—its Sala-crafted lines and limousine grace turning heads and drawing admiration. For de Martino, the Isotta was not simply a car; it was an extension of identity—a fusion of sporting prowess, noble heritage, and impeccable taste. On the court or the concours lawn, he played to win, and always with style.