Among the great pre-war Italian sports cars, the Fiat 508 CS Balilla Berlinetta MM holds a special place. Designed at a time when aerodynamics and sporty performance were beginning to define the future of the automobile, this model is today one of the most coveted and rare creations from Fiat's early history. Of the originally built examples, only a few have stood the test of time, making every authentic Balilla of exceptional interest to collectors of pre-war Italian automobiles, with a number of attractive benefits; for example, registering for the Mille Miglia is very simple.
The Fiat Balilla 508 CS was the true race car. It was originally built in two versions: the Coppa d'Oro and the lightweight Mille Miglia, both fast cars for their engine displacement. The 508 CS Balilla Berlinetta Mille Miglia was produced in a limited number of examples and is probably the most attractive of the series, reminiscent of the Bugatti Atlantic in terms of shape.
The example offered here is undoubtedly one of the most appealing survivors. Finished in its original blue livery and blessed with exceptional provenance, the car remained in the possession of a single French owner for over half a century. Such an uninterrupted ownership history is a rarity today and underscores the care and dedication with which this special Fiat has been cherished for decades. Naturally, this long period of ownership is documented and also captured in photographs.
After this long period of careful ownership, the Balilla underwent an uncompromising restoration by the Dutch company Classic Mike from Zeewolde, a restorer internationally appreciated for his craftsmanship and respect for originality. The result is a restoration that not only fully brings out the elegance and technical refinement of the original design but also meets the highest standards set within the international concours world.
The quality of this restoration did not go unnoticed. In 2020, the car was selected to participate in the legendary Mille Miglia, where it was driven by Ton Roks, editor-in-chief of the renowned automotive magazine Octane. Participation in this historic race serves as a recognition of both authenticity and historical significance, and confirms the special status of this particular example. Ton Roks allowed us to include the report on the Mille Miglia's participation in the photo report we produced of the Balilla. We are grateful for this.
After long French ownership, the Balilla is part of an extremely exclusive Dutch collection of important classic automobiles and has received distinctions at some of Europe's most prestigious concours, including the Concours d'Élégance in the Netherlands, the Zoute Grand Prix in Belgium, and the renowned Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. At Villa d'Este, it even received the trophy for the best restored car. Such distinctions awarded at leading concours are granted exclusively to automobiles that excel in the quality of the restoration, authenticity, presentation, and historical significance. Speaking of presentation: in addition to all important documents, the car comes with a small box in which the restoration is documented in a highly original manner. Parts of the old upholstery, sheet metal, wood parts, and photographs can thus be viewed and preserved in a beautiful way.
It is precisely the combination of exceptional rarity, long-term and meticulous ownership, a restoration of the highest standard, an impressive concours history, and participation in the Mille Miglia that distinguishes this example from virtually every other surviving Fiat 508 CS Berlinetta MM. For the serious collector, this Fiat Balilla represents not only one of the most elegant and special automobiles, but it is also a rare opportunity to acquire a car that belongs to the absolute pinnacle of its model. Examples of this quality and with such a provenance appear only rarely on the international market.
With this beautiful Balilla, we offer the unique opportunity to purchase something very special that makes you warmly welcome at any event in the world.