Strap in, Barn Finders, we’re about to encounter – wrapped in the history of the little Fiat above – an American Fiat plant as well as a Detroit-born stockbroker-turned-coachbuilder who has been turning out concours-quality creations for decades. Let’s start with the origin story: Poughkeepsie, New York, of all places, in 1909, when a group of local businessmen invited a delegation from FIAT to the area. The aim was to build a factory in the town to produce Italian cars for wealthy patrons. The Type 54 rolled off the line in 1910, followed by several other models, including the Type 55. At its peak, the factory made 350 cars a year. Today, these American-made FIATs are extremely rare. This example, a 1913 Type 55, will be offered by RM Sotheby’s on October 7th at its Hershey, Pennsylvania, auction. The estimate is $250,000 to $300,000. Thanks to Araknid78 for spotting this exceptional bit of automotive history.
FIAT’s American-made cars were powered by big four- and six-cylinder engines, making around 25 to 60 hp. For comparison, the contemporary Model T generated about 20 hp. Not only was the FIAT a superior performer on the engine alone: it offered a traditional four-speed manual gearbox rather than the T’s odd arrangement of pedal and hand controls. The Type 55 engine was a 9.4-liter (not a misprint!) monobloc four, capable of 70 mph. The starting sequence includes a dozen steps – not uncommon in the pre-war era, both pre-war eras, in fact! A compression release valve was part of the routine, along with the usual timing retardation and throttle control. The engine never had a fan; instead, the flywheel was expected to supply air movement. Someone apparently decided the weak current wasn’t sufficient, so a modern fan is installed here between the engine and the radiator. Speaking of upgrades, the description at RM Sotheby’s is unusually vague, noting a restoration including a recast engine block with no details as to when this work was done. Little in the way of provenance is revealed, either.
Historically, the first cars in America were steered from the right-hand seat. This tradition simply copied most horse and buggy arrangements at a time when oncoming traffic was not a serious concern. Henry Ford’s Model T established a left-hand drive protocol in 1908, and by about 1915, most cars produced here were left-hand drive. This car radiates elegance, justifying its premium pricing of $4000 to $6000 back in the day. The bonnet strap, the wheels, the monocle windshield, the brass trim – we’ll never again see anything come out of a factory looking like this.
Buried in the description of the speedster is the restorer’s name – Gary Wales. Mr Wales was born in Detroit in about 1937, and after a stint in finance, he began restoring cars – but not just any cars. He specializes in the earliest and most elegant of vehicles. His restoration of a 1947 Bentley Mark VI Franay Drophead Coupe won its class at Pebble Beach. Wales also creates brand new cars – all variations on La Bestioni, a monstrous 1910 Fiat S76 built as a land speed-record car. This Type 55 was rebodied by Wales in a speedster style; whether chassis #211 started life with a similar body is unknown. Values are also in the “guessing” realm. Someone will want this car – but at what price?
I like the “windshields” on cars like these, though I can’t imagine they do much “windshielding.” I like just about everything else about this car, too.
Back in the ’70s the FIAT logo was still visible on the long assembly plant showing through from beneath faded later-applied paint. It was part of Marist College.