A true Italian

The small family car we see here is a Fiat Zero. The type Zero was the first small car to be built in series and produced from 1912. In 1915 the production ceased because of the First World War. The 1.9-litre engine developed around 18 hp and could reach 70 km/h. More than 2000 units were sold by the Turin car manufacturer.

The specific model we see here was found near Turin in 1964 by Domenico Bossotto. He was an elderly man who had often assisted the owner in repairs. An experienced mechanic who knew these Fiat cars very well as he drove and adjusted many of them during his military service during the First World War. After his discovery, it took Domenico two years to completely mechanically restore the car. And also the bodywork was restored in the original cal colour. Sadly enough Domenico didn’t have the joy of driving the car, as he suffered from a sudden illness just before finishing the car. His widow sold the 1913 Fiat, but what happened with the Torpedo body styled Fiat is unknown.

Until in 2004. This is when the Zero was found by a famous collector in Biella. The auction catalogue tells us that “after a short service and general check, the engine ran perfectly from the very beginning.” They think the car hasn’t even completed its break-in, referring to the number of km driven. Overall this beautiful original cal coloured 1913 car looks in a very good condition.

The 1913 Fiat Zero still lives in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Will this true Italian remains in its home country? That is up to you! You have 5 more days to make a bid on this 1913 Fiat Zero in the online auction. Click here to see some of the other lots on offer in the Catawiki Pre-War Auction.

Photographs courtesy Catawiki Auctions.

Gepubliceerd:

donderdag september 5th, 2019

Maldwyn Jones

10 September 2019, 19:15

This particular car I believe is car number 50205 with engine number 216. Of the 2119 car manufacture approximately 22 are now to survive at the last count. Of these 12 are in Australia/New Zealand with the remainder in Europe. Currently there are 3 examples in the UK, one at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, one in Essex and mine - chassis number 50503. A fourth UK car was sold recently at auction and may now be in Italy ?
My car left the factory in Turin in November 1913 as a running chassis and bodied in the UK.Compared to factory built cars the rear body is more angular but still carries the fold out dicky seat. It was also fitted with CAV electric lighting. It was first registered in April 1914 to a Dr Clay, Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey. I was fortunate to find the remains of the car on a farm not far from Holyhead in the late 1970's and spent three years restoring it. Factory bodied cars carried Farina designed bodies, either the 2 seater torpedo or 4 seater as in this case. Once the fuel pressure is achieved and the cylinders primed the engine usually fires on the first pull of the handle. Once in fourth gear it will cruise at between 45 and 50mph.
I would be very interested to hear from any other Fiat Zero owners or from anyone who knows the whereabouts of remaining Zero's . The two black and white photo show the car near Holyhead with Dr Clay's chauffeur at the wheel. I have tried to upload other photos show the car in it's current state but it seems I can only add one photo.

Lees verder

A true Italian

Reacties

Plaats een reactie, stel een vraag, geef uw mening, deel aanvullende informatie of start een discussie door de onderstaande velden in te vullen