1926' Fiat 509 Roadster

Bonhams are delighted to offer at our forthcoming Collectors' Motor Car Auction on Saturday 7th September 2019 at The Beaulieu International Autojumble, England 126 collectors motor cars – plus over 400 lots of automobilia and 30 motorcycles. The full online catalogue can be viewed on the Bonhams website.

1926 FIAT 509 ROADSTER WITH DICKEY
REGISTRATION NO. SV 9449
CHASSIS NO. TO BE ADVISED

* Landmark Vintage-era FIAT
* Right-hand drive
* Extensive servicing and maintenance in 2016
* Invoice for €15,971 on file

£18,000 - 26,000
€20,000 - 29,000

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.
An early 509 road-tested by The Autocar in 1925 was described as "A silent, vibrationless engine with plenty of power, snappy without being harsh, simple and perfectly accessible; a good clutch and a deliciously sweet gearbox; well sprung and sturdy at speed; possessing good four wheel brakes; it was hard to find any points to criticise." Glowing terms indeed! The bambina comfortably accommodated four people, cruised comfortably at 40-45mph and returned 35 miles per gallon economy. 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.
Right-hand drive, like all FIATs of this period, this charming 509 roadster comes with an invoice issued by specialists Gipimotor of Brussels, Belgium in April 2016 for extensive servicing and maintenance costing €15,971. A rare opportunity to acquire a desirable open roadster example of one of FIAT's landmark models, the car is offered with a V5 registration document.