Beschreibung:

THE PROPERTY OF LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEU 1935 FIAT BALILLA 508S COPPA D'ORO Registration No. VCR 336 Chassis No. 070903 Engine No. 000370 Red with dark maroon interior. Engine: four cylinder in line monobloc, 995cc; Gearbox: four speed central change, synchromesh on third and top; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic; Suspension: semi-elliptic front and rear. Right hand drive. The Tipo 508 Fiat was first introduced in 1932, very much a car for the mass market and featuring a side valve engine with three speed gearbox and fairly staid two-door saloon bodywork. It was of all-metal construction and available in Saloon, Torpedo or Spyder versions. The little four cylinder engine was capable of just over 50mph and with moderate care a fuel consumption in the region of 35-40mpg was achievable. For the first time the name "Balilla" was given to the car rather than the more usual Fiat usage of Tipo numbers. However, it was not long before demand required a competition version and this came in the form of the very pretty Balilla Sport, featuring stylish two-seat open bodywork and exquisite finned tail, housing the spare wheel. Originally styled by Ghia, Fiat bought the design and modified it themselves. Two versions were available, the Coppa d'Oro or Mille Miglia and the second series Balilla Sport, introduced in 1934, had a four-speed gearbox and overhead valve engine capable of 46bhp. The Sport version was consequently given the denomination 508S. This 1935 example was one of four dozen or so imported into England in that year although this particular car was not actually sold until 1937. It was maintained in perfect condition and used in rallies by the first owner who subsequently sold it in 1962 to a Mr. W. Hodge and he, in fact, sold it two years later in 1964 when it became the property of Lord Montagu. The car has been on display in the Museum since its purchase and is in running condition although has not been used on the road for some twenty years. It is original with red paintwork and red interior trim and apart from one white faced Fiat oil pressure gauge (which would be correct for a 508 of the period) quite as one would expect from a car that has been in the same ownership for many years. Being a Sport model it has the four-speed gearbox and overhead pushrod four cylinder engine. The body is in generally good condition and original to the car, being a period imitation of the Italian Coppa d'Oro design, made by an unknown London coachbuilder to the order of Fiat (England) Limited. A very pretty pre-war Italian sportscar with particular charm.