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Padova Finarte / Collector Cars

Friday 25 October 2019, 02:30 PM • Padua

7

1938 FIAT Fiat 508 C (FIAT)

chassis no 240975 - engine no. 243625

Lot subjected to VAT (if due) or sold as in-bond

Estimate

€ 19.500 - 22.500

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Information

  • Eligible for the Mille Miglia and the main reenactment events.
  • As a prewar car, has the plus of placing early on the starting line.
  • Exciting cost for a pre
  • war car, excellent for regularity races

Documents
Original 1939 Italian plates and vintage booklet.
Registration in order and updated, tested.
Eligibility
  • Mille Miglia. Eligible. Asa pre-war, it has the plus of positioning early in the starting order.
  • Giro di Sicilia. Eligible.
  • Targa Florio. Eligible.
  • Goodwood Revival. Eligible-Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti. Eligible.
  • Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia.Eligible.
  • Winter Marathon.Eligible.
  • Vernasca Silver Flag. Eligible.
  • California Mille: Eligible.
  • Nürburgring Classic. Eligible

Provenance


The model
The Fiat 508 C was introduced in 1937, powered by a 1.089 cc 4-cylinder engine instead of the previous 1 litre unit of the Balilla. Several famous motoring figures implemented the project of the original Balilla in those years: Tranquillo Zerbi, Antonio Fessia, Bartolomeo Nebbia and Dante Giacosa who built a car with class performance, but with relatively low costs. The last evolution of this lucky model was the Fiat 508 C that Fiat initially tried to nickname Nuova Balilla 1100 (on the advertising posters of the time) but that motorists called only and always "1100". It was in production until 1939, it costed LIT 19.500 and was produced in 57.000 units in the Cabriolet, "Berlina" and "Berlinatetto apribile" (open top) versions. The bodywork differed completely from the previous Balilla cars and took up the rounded shapes masterfully introduced in the Fiat 1500. The engine was the Fiat 108C, a straight 4-cylinder 1089 cm³OHV (hence the nickname 1100) with a 4-speed gearbox. Unusual for a low priced car of the time was the independent front suspension, with transverse arms, springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. The power has increased by one third, to 32 hp at 4.000 rpm, capable of pushing the car at 95 km/h. At the time, its comfort, handling and performance were stunning, making it "the only people’s car that was also a driver’s car". Indeed, the 508 C was brought to the race, even at the Mille Miglia. Among the famous owners of the 508 C was the soccer player GigiMeroni. In 1938, the Fiat 508 L (Lunga) was built with an elongated wheelbase, capable of seating 6 people, mainly widespread in Taxi version. In 1939, the car underwent a facelift of the front and became the so-called Fiat 1100“Musone”.
The car
The Fiat 508 C, chassis no. 508C240975,has lived its whole life in Genova and its territory, for this it has the exceptional peculiarity for a pre-war car, to still have the origin GE28402 plates (in iron). The vintage so-called "apagine" booklet is more recent, but dates back to the 1960s. The car is preserved, in average aesthetic conditions and complete, with the original lights and rod arrows and the lights and arrows updated to code. The complete mechanic is in working order, with the head gasket replaced and recently revised brakes. It’s painted two-tone dark green-black,has black-cream rims with original hubcups and preserved beige cloth interiors, complete but weared, with vintage leatherette jackets. With the car: the use and maintenance booklet, the original keys, a set of vintage luggages. An excellent base for having a car in good condition with reasonable restoration work or to reach the state of the art. It is an excellent opportunity to buy a pre-war car to enter the world of the regularity races. The 508 C 1100 is Mille Miglia eligible, with a medium coefficient (1.50)even higher in other competitions. As a prewar car, has the plus of placing early on the starting line. The type of car also has a perfect balance of comfort-performance-reliability-operating costs for long-term regularity races

State of the Art
Complete. In average aesthetic conditions, interiors preserved. Mechanics in working order, head gasket replaced and overhauled brakes.

Literature

  • Dante Giacosa,I miei 40 anni di progettazione alla Fiat, Centro Storico Fiat, Torino 2014.
  • Alessandro Sannia,Fiat 508 C e 1100, 1936-1953, Il Cammello, Torino 2017

Condition report

To request a Condition Report, please contact automotive@finarte.it The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that we are not professional conservators or restorers. We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.