Fiat 519S Torpedo Sport

Fiat looks back on a long brand history since 1899 and produced various interesting vehicles in this time, which in the meantime have often fallen into oblivion. An example of this is the 519 series, which was produced between 1922 and 1927. Various variants such as the 519A with narrower grille, the 519B with newly developed Perrot front brake system, the 519C with raised chassis for rural areas and the sportier 519S with shortened wheelbase offered customers a wide range of options for configuring their suitable car. As was customary at the time, the bodywork was assembled by external companies. Only the chassis, including the 4.76-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 40 hp and the manual four-speed transmission as well as the hydraulic brake system were produced directly by Fiat. Of the 2,411 units built in total, only about 25 probably exist today, including only one genuine 519S.

The car collector Hans Compter discovered this vehicle in 2001 by chance in a barn in Australia. Due to his expert knowledge he could see directly that it was a special Fiat, because the V-shaped radiator grille in combination with the 3.3 meters long wheelbase clearly indicated a 519S. He bought the car on the spot and had it transported to his garage in Kauri/New Zealand. Over the next five years, he, his son and a team of international experts restored the vintage vehicle and discovered that the Torpedo body was an original from Bertone with body number 524 stamped into several parts. Copies of technical drawings from the Fiat archive in Turin helped to reproduce the delivery condition as good as possible. Meanwhile the radiator grille was sent to the Netherlands for revision at the company Blaak. In order to complete the appearance and at the same time to establish the best possible contact to the road surface, Compter commissioned new narrow tires with the correct profile specially for his car. They now sit on black-painted spoke rims under the wide mudguards, which are also painted black and stand out well from the dark red bodywork.

Inside, the Torpedo body with its wooden inlays on the boat stern offers space for up to four passengers on seats upholstered in red leather. In bad weather conditions, a black soft top can be fitted. But since there are no side windows, you are still very much exposed to the elements. Theoretically, however, up to 79 mph topspeed is possible – in a car without ABS, power brake assistance, power steering or even safety belts. After the restoration was successfully completed, Fiat experts examined the vehicle and certified it with the ‘Fiat Classiche Certificato di Origine’, which also confirms that the original engine is still installed. Currently the car is for sale. The complete package includes not only extensive documentation of the restoration and the certificate of authenticity, but also another original 519 engine and gearbox.

Images: Worldwide Auctioneers