1933 Fiat 508 Balilla
Italy
Cylinder number / capacity - 4/995 сс
Power - 20 bhp at 3400 rpm
Max speed - 80 kph
Period of production - 1932-1934
Average consumption - 8 liters per 100 km
Numbers built - 41396
Type body - 2-door saloon
Marque bodywork - Fiat
Fiat called the model 508 “Balilla” to celebrate the fascist regime. It was the name which was given to Italian little boys who, in Mussolini’s mind, were supposed to demonstrate the courage the young Giambattista Perasso, called Balilla, showed when he rebelled to the French invasion of Genova.The 508, was introduced at the 1932 Milan Motor Show. It was the car for the growing Italy and was sold at the special price of Lire 10.800. It immediately became the car of the collective imaginary: minimum price, small but comfortable and with an universal use. It was the car dreamt by everybody. It was fitted with a 3-speed gearbox and was offered with several types of bodies (2 door saloon, tourer, roadster, van); the first deliveries were done on 15th July, 1932.The 2 door saloon, as the one shown in the museum, had 4 comfortable seats, cloth interior, bright paintwork, wide doors with manual lowering windows, running boards, electric windscreen wipers, rear view mirror.
With a price supplement the car was fitted with luxurious finishing: you could choose among a special cloth, chromed headlights, chromed handles and bumpers. Other extras were available: back stop light, clock, ashtray, back trunk, a second spare wheel, wire wheels and leather interior.
Cylinder number / capacity - 4/995 сс
Power - 20 bhp at 3400 rpm
Max speed - 80 kph
Period of production - 1932-1934
Average consumption - 8 liters per 100 km
Numbers built - 41396
Type body - 2-door saloon
Marque bodywork - Fiat
Fiat called the model 508 “Balilla” to celebrate the fascist regime. It was the name which was given to Italian little boys who, in Mussolini’s mind, were supposed to demonstrate the courage the young Giambattista Perasso, called Balilla, showed when he rebelled to the French invasion of Genova.The 508, was introduced at the 1932 Milan Motor Show. It was the car for the growing Italy and was sold at the special price of Lire 10.800. It immediately became the car of the collective imaginary: minimum price, small but comfortable and with an universal use. It was the car dreamt by everybody. It was fitted with a 3-speed gearbox and was offered with several types of bodies (2 door saloon, tourer, roadster, van); the first deliveries were done on 15th July, 1932.The 2 door saloon, as the one shown in the museum, had 4 comfortable seats, cloth interior, bright paintwork, wide doors with manual lowering windows, running boards, electric windscreen wipers, rear view mirror.
With a price supplement the car was fitted with luxurious finishing: you could choose among a special cloth, chromed headlights, chromed handles and bumpers. Other extras were available: back stop light, clock, ashtray, back trunk, a second spare wheel, wire wheels and leather interior.
