1922 | FIAT 501

The Fiat 501 is a car model produced by the Italian automaker Fiat between 1919 and 1925. Designed at the end of the First World War, it went into production in mid-1919 to replace the Fiat 70. The commercial launch of the new 501 took place in November 1919, initially available only in the 3/4 torpedo doors version, priced at 32,000 Italian Lire.

In total, almost 70,000 cars were produced, a remarkable record for the time, before production ceased in 1925.

The engine is a 1460 cc 4-cylinder with an output of 23 hp at 2600 rpm, allowing a maximum speed of 70 km/h.

This particular specimen was produced in late 1922 at the first FIAT Plant in Turin, Corso Dante, and was initially sold in Catania, Sicily. In the 1940s, likely due to the Second World War, it left Italy, passed through the US, and arrived in Australia. There, it was re-coachworked by a Melbourne coach builder, as indicated by a nickeled plate reading "Melbourne Motor Body Co Ltd" on the lower part of each door stop. The current body reflects the typical English style of the period, known as "torpedo," which is significantly different from the contemporary original "torpedo" (phaeton, fully openable) Fiat 501 produced in Italy. This includes the new aerodynamic mudguards, doors without external handles, and a particularly inclined windshield divided into two adjustable glass parts. The car features a sand body color paired with a brown chassis and internal velvet upholstery. It retains the five original metal "Sankey" wheels, the typical Fiat face with a rounded cooling radiator, and is equipped with unique and elegant "net feet - protect fender" decorations on the rear fenders, adorned with the typical FIAT brand of the twenties.

The car returned to Italy through Salerno Customs (near Naples) in 1994 and received an Italian plate again (regular Italian documents, now issued by Catania DVLA; reportedly, the previous plate was CT563, and the current one is CT A90924).

Over the years, it has received regular maintenance, preserving the original and rare "automatic carburetor" FIAT, power magnet, the absence of front brakes, and the type 101 engine, with the exhaust manifold still integrated with the engine block.

It participated in the historical commemoration of the "Susa - Mont Cenis" climbing race for the first Centenary of FIAT automaker in 1999.

The car now requires a routine mechanical check to be ready for use.

it is inspectable / visible in Turin (North of Italy)

Thanks a lot.