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AutoPuzzles Today => Features, Stories and Photos => Rare Car of the Week => Topic started by: Otto Puzzell on November 16, 2008, 05:51:08 AM

Title: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Otto Puzzell on November 16, 2008, 05:51:08 AM
(http://www.autopuzzles.com/Puzzle1083.jpg)

Know what it is?

Please, respond below and let us know the make and model designation of the car posted here.

If you haven't registered yet, you need to do so in order to reply with your answer.  You can do so by clicking here (http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?action=register).

Also, please be sure to check out our other puzzles, and, please post a puzzle of your own if you'd like - the more, the merrier. :D

Thanks!
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Joao Gois on November 16, 2008, 07:31:23 AM
Ghia?

Edit: I'll just leave a hint I guess it mustn't be too far from the truth: Vignale bodied...
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Otto Puzzell on November 16, 2008, 07:58:15 AM
No sir
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Joao Gois on November 16, 2008, 01:55:41 PM
Quote from: Joao Gois on November 16, 2008, 07:31:23 AM
Ghia?

Oops... no longer rookie. Can't answer here no more, right?
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Otto Puzzell on November 17, 2008, 04:05:52 AM
That's right. I forgot, too.  ;)
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: fnqvmuch on November 17, 2008, 09:18:56 AM
zagato bodied lancia
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Otto Puzzell on November 17, 2008, 10:27:26 AM
Welcome to AutoPuzzles, fnqvmuch!  :)

Not a Lancia.
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Otto Puzzell on November 22, 2008, 05:19:44 AM
Not Zagato, either.
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 02, 2008, 03:15:00 AM
Moved
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Allemano on December 02, 2008, 04:06:14 AM
Cisitalia 808XF with Ford engine and Vignale coachwork!

Obviousely my last possibiltiy to post in this section.... :-[
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 02, 2008, 04:23:17 AM
Well, though it has a Cisitalia logo, it's not. However, the rest of your guess correctly ID's the car.

An interesting story about the car is  posted on velocetoday.com.

And with that, sir, you have now joined the pantheon of Professional AutoPuzzlers.

:applause: :cheer: :hail: Sincere congratulations!   :hail: :cheer: :applause:
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083
Post by: Ultra on December 02, 2008, 04:26:02 AM
Congratulations!!! :grad:

:cheer:

Time to get writing and get to the next level, Allemano.

:whip:
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 02, 2008, 04:26:49 AM
Geez - can't he bask in the glory for a day or so? ;D
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Allemano on December 02, 2008, 04:32:54 AM
Yes, read it before, actualy it isn't a Cisitalia, but this name is related to this car and that's why I've mention it in my reply!
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Allemano on December 02, 2008, 04:36:44 AM
Quote from: Otto Puzzell on December 02, 2008, 04:26:49 AM
Geez - can't he bask in the glory for a day or so? ;D

Too much honour!  :)
You think I shouldn't descredit myself even more, don't you?  ;)
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Ultra on December 02, 2008, 02:07:22 PM
Quote from: Otto Puzzell on December 02, 2008, 04:26:49 AM
Geez - can't he bask in the glory for a day or so? ;D

No.  O0

Quote from: Allemano on December 02, 2008, 04:36:44 AM


Too much honour!  :)
You think I shouldn't descredit myself even more, don't you?  ;)

You only discredit yourself by NOT writing.

:P
Title: Solved - NEH 1114: Vignale Cisitalia 808XF Convertible - 1955
Post by: Carnut on May 20, 2011, 11:36:46 AM
What's this, by whom and from when?
1 point if you're right on all scores!
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Carnut on June 03, 2011, 09:13:11 AM
There's an Expert or two I know will know...
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Limo on June 03, 2011, 11:39:47 AM
the back looks like a vignale design (one of the cadillacs for bill frick?)
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Carnut on June 03, 2011, 11:49:07 AM
Quote from: Limo on June 03, 2011, 11:39:47 AM
the back looks like a vignale design (one of the cadillacs for bill frick?)

It is by Vignale, yes.
Not a Cadillac though.
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Limo on June 03, 2011, 03:57:17 PM
cunningham?
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Carnut on June 03, 2011, 06:09:03 PM
Quote from: Limo on June 03, 2011, 03:57:17 PM
cunningham?

No.
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Limo on June 04, 2011, 03:44:52 AM
chrysler imperial based
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Carnut on June 04, 2011, 08:20:57 AM
Quote from: Limo on June 04, 2011, 03:44:52 AM
chrysler imperial based

Not that either!
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: thorax on June 04, 2011, 11:07:19 AM
Packard convertibile?
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Carnut on June 04, 2011, 07:19:44 PM
Quote from: thorax on June 04, 2011, 11:07:19 AM
Packard convertibile?

Not a Packard.
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: hugo90 on June 04, 2011, 11:54:00 PM
Those look like Chrysler wire wheels, but it is short.  Plymouth, maybe?
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Carnut on June 05, 2011, 05:29:58 AM
Quote from: hugo90 on June 04, 2011, 11:54:00 PM
Those look like Chrysler wire wheels, but it is short.  Plymouth, maybe?

No Plymouth or Chrysler involvement.
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Limo on June 05, 2011, 03:19:16 PM
Dodge?
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: mtbo on June 05, 2011, 04:42:21 PM
1955 CISITALIA 808XF CONVERTIBLE
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Carnut on June 05, 2011, 06:26:29 PM
Quote from: mtbo on June 05, 2011, 04:42:21 PM
1955 CISITALIA 808XF CONVERTIBLE

Indeed it is.
Believe it too was Ford V8-engined like the 808XF Coupes.
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Otto Puzzell on June 05, 2011, 07:22:15 PM
Quote from: Carnut on June 05, 2011, 06:26:29 PM
Quote from: mtbo on June 05, 2011, 04:42:21 PM
1955 CISITALIA 808XF CONVERTIBLE

Indeed it is.
Believe it too was Ford V8-engined like the 808XF Coupes.

If so, it's a repost
Title: Re: NEH 1114
Post by: Carnut on June 06, 2011, 05:27:29 AM
Quote from: Otto Puzzell on June 05, 2011, 07:22:15 PM
Quote from: Carnut on June 05, 2011, 06:26:29 PM
Quote from: mtbo on June 05, 2011, 04:42:21 PM
1955 CISITALIA 808XF CONVERTIBLE

Indeed it is.
Believe it too was Ford V8-engined like the 808XF Coupes.

If so, it's a repost

Thought not because this is the unique convertible, and I thought the others were Coupes.
Looking at the original picture however see it is also a convertible so maye it is a re-post.
Sorry.
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: D-type on June 06, 2011, 02:53:21 PM
Strange!  For a unique car there are significant differences between the two photos.   Headlamp fairings, brightwork etc  :scratch:
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Carnut on June 06, 2011, 03:20:04 PM
Quote from: D-type on June 06, 2011, 02:53:21 PM
Strange!  For a unique car there are significant differences between the two photos.   Headlamp fairings, brightwork etc  :scratch:

So maybe it's not unique; perhaps someone more knowledgeable can straighten that out?
On the other hand cars rarely remain original after over 50 years.  So often during restorations they get 'improved' upon here and there so have many minor differences.  Whether that is the case here or not I'm afraid I don't know.
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Carnut on June 10, 2011, 07:59:33 AM
Just to add a little more information about my puzzle car.
After the first Cisitalia had been presented to Ford for evaluation and had received only a luke-warm reception, nevertheless a second series of prototypes was commissioned, to be based on standard Ford chassis, and Vignale produced one coupe and one convertible, my puzzle car.

At the time, however, Ford were busy developing their own new Thunderbird and really weren't interested in offering the Cisitalia, so this convertible was given to Ed Sullivan for use as his personal car, which he drove for some years.

It was not specially well restored and was sold at Christie's auction some years ago.

So I'm not sure if my puzzle car is the same one as in the original puzzle, or if that was the very first prototype whilst mine is from the second series, but it might clarify why there are differences between the cars, as pointed out by D-Type.  And my puzzle car is definitely not a Ford, as per the heading of this thread; it was described as a Cisitalia 808XF Convertible at the auction.
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Otto Puzzell on June 10, 2011, 10:37:38 AM
Many versions of this cars history out there. I've seen several sources that indicate 1 convertible and at least 1 coupe were made.

Save for some trim separating the two paint colors, and and the Plexiglas over the light buckets, these appear identical to me. I'll throw this open to the masses - separate the two puzzle, or leave them merged?

Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: D-type on June 10, 2011, 04:54:04 PM
I think you should leave them merged.  As you say, they are so similar that they could be the same car.
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Carnut on June 10, 2011, 05:54:33 PM
Quote from: D-type on June 10, 2011, 04:54:04 PM
I think you should leave them merged.  As you say, they are so similar that they could be the same car.

Yes, I agree.
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: pnegyesi on June 11, 2011, 12:22:15 AM
Sorry to chime in so late, I just realized that I received this three years ago from Urs Jakob:
I have just restored the 1952  Ford / Cisitalia 808XF Vignalle Convertable. I am off to Peble Beach with the car. I have just purchased the sister car, the Vignale coup. I am writing an article for Classic Car Collector.

Should I ask him some questions?
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Carnut on June 11, 2011, 04:56:23 AM
Quote from: pnegyesi on June 11, 2011, 12:22:15 AM
Sorry to chime in so late, I just realized that I received this three years ago from Urs Jakob:
I have just restored the 1952  Ford / Cisitalia 808XF Vignalle Convertable. I am off to Peble Beach with the car. I have just purchased the sister car, the Vignale coup. I am writing an article for Classic Car Collector.

Should I ask him some questions?

Why not?  The more info the better!
Title: Re: Puzzle #1083 - Solved! 808XF - The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia
Post by: Carnut on June 11, 2011, 02:18:20 PM
After further investigation it would appear my puzzle car is the same car as Otto's original puzzle.
The first 808XF was a coupe and had a Mercury V8; this is the second car according to an authorititave-looking site (not the first of the second series!) and has a Ford straight 6.