Isotta Fraschini automobiles are rare. This beautifully lined Isotta Fraschini can be called “extremely rare” in the category rare. Only two cars were made in this version and they were both handcrafted by the Milan-based coachbuilder Castagna. When the car was ready, it was displayed at an exhibition at the Commodore hotel in New York in 1929. Because of the exhibition in this hotel, the car is named Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Castagna “Commodore” Roadster. The purchase price at the time must have been astronomical, the car was more expensive than a Rolls-Royce or a Model J Duesenberg.

The car was owned by famous collectors such as Messrs Harrah in Reno, Nevada and Seydoux in France. Mr Michel Seydoux was film producer and great uncle of SPECTER Bond Girl Léa Seydoux. This is probably also the reason that this Isotta Fraschini can be seen in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker. As can be seen on the personalized license plate 1 DRAX in the film, the car is owned by the crook Hugo Drax, the car is parked in front of his castle. This beautiful car can be seen as James Bond (Roger Moore) and Corinne Dufour (Corinne Clery) landing in a helicopter on the grounds of the castle. The car is then parked next to a Hispano-Suiza and a Rolls-Royce. After the filming, the car was visible to the general public several times more often.

In 1994 the car took part in the Concours d'Elegance of the “Cittá di Lonato and in 1999 in the Concours d'élegance at Paleis Het Loo where the car ended as“ first in class ”. This car was completely restored in 2008 after which the car took part in the Concorso d'Eleganza “Villa d'Este” in 2008, the car was awarded a second place there. The restoration is documented with photos. After its first registration in the USA, the car was registered in Switzerland followed by registration in Italy.

The car now has a Dutch registration.