Lot 104: 1926 FIAT 209A Tourer

FIAT’s smallest-ever car when announced in October 1924 at the Paris Salon, the 509 was in essence a scaled down version of its larger siblings and thus not as small as many rival designs. It was however, exceptionally well specified, having an overhead-camshaft engine, 12-volt electrics and four-wheel brakes, advanced features not usually found on ‘economy class’ cars of the period. The 990cc four-cylinder engine produced 20bhp and drove via a four-speed gearbox, while the robustly built chassis featured semi-elliptic springing all round and torque tube transmission to the live rear axle. Like Austin and Morris in the UK, FIAT recognised the importance of extending car ownership to the masses; an in-house hire purchase facility was introduced to help encourage sales and within a year the 509 was Italy’s best-selling car. A design which presaged the revolutionary 500 Topolino of the 1930s, the 509 was an immense success despite being far from the cheapest in its class, selling 90,000 units before production ceased in 1929.

The car offered here as a restored example of the improved Type 509A (introduced in 1926) which featured a different carburettor and tyre size. Inherited by the vendor and offered without reserve, the car is finished in red with matching leather interior and comes with Spanish registration papers. A rare opportunity to acquire a desirable open two-seater example of one of FIAT’s landmark models, with the added advantage (for the UK market) of right-hand drive.

La voiture présentée est un exemplaire restauré du type 509A amélioré (introduit en 1926) qui recevait un carburateur et des pneus différents. Héritée par le Vendeur et vendue sans réserve, la voiture est peinte en rouge avec intérieur en cuir assorti et avec ses papiers espagnols. Une belle occasion d'acquérir un rare exemplaire biplace décapotable de l'un des modèles marquants de l'histoire de FIAT avec l'avantage (pour les acheteurs du Royaume Uni) d'une conduite à droite.