1929 FIAT 509
The 1929 FIAT 509 is a 2-door, 4-seat saloon car equipped with a 990cc 4-cylinder engine featuring an overhead camshaft. It includes a 3-speed gearbox and weighs approximately 800kg (1800lb).
Founded in 1899, FIAT stands for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (Italian Automobile Factory of Turin). By 1910, Fiat had become the largest vehicle manufacturer in Italy, expanding its production to include trucks, aircraft engines, aircraft, railway carriages, and military vehicles. Fiat also had interests in other notable companies such as Piaggio, Ferrari, and overseas producers like FSO (Polski Fiat), Lada, SEAT, and Fiat Automóveis S.A. in Mexico.
This particular vehicle was produced at the renowned Lingotto factory, which opened in 1923. The Lingotto factory was an architectural marvel where raw materials entered on the ground floor, and complete cars emerged on the fifth floor, ready to be tested on the rooftop test track!
| Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Year of Manufacture | 1929 |
| Registration | WL 7084 |
| Engine | 990cc 4-cylinder |
| Body | 4/5 seat 2 door saloon |
| Location in Museum | The main hall, at the front |
Interesting Fact
The 1929 FIAT 509 has been in one family's ownership for over 40 years and was carefully restored by its coach-building trained owner.
One notable deviation from the original specification is the slightly later, stylish radiator mascot, a gift from a neighbor. You can notice the difference in shine between the chrome-plated mascot and the nickel-plated radiator surround. While chromium plating was introduced in the mid-1920s, it wasn't commonly used on large parts like radiators until the end of the decade.
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