Mystery Vehicle in Australia

[BrianWilson]

This is a picture of my friend's mother in the family car somewhere in Australia - circa 1925. Unfortunately the radiator is obscured and it may have a locally made body on an imported chassis. My friend was told it's a Packard Six, which it's clearly not. Can anybody identify it? Cheers   Brian

[Craig Gillingham]

I think it's a 509 FIAT. The fuel tank is probably in the scuttle which would match, and 509's were first built in 1925.

[BrianWilson]

Thanks Craig. I see you're in Australia! Yes, it could well be 509 Fiat. They were being imported to Australia around that time. I have a friend who had a European one with a much more sporty body. But the wheels are also similar.

[Craig Gillingham]

I'm not 100% sure, it's a bit hard to tell. Although, I do think it's something Italian.

[BrianWilson]

The wheels definitely look to be Fiat. I would guess the body is locally built, although they were usually a copy of a factory job. There was a factory two-door "Torpedo" tourer - I think both 501 and 509. Can't see the front wheel well enough to spot a brake drum. If it's there, that would make it a 509. Cheers Brian

[oldford]

I know you guys in Australia talk funny,🙂 but what is a 'scuttle'???

 

Frank

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

9 hours ago, BrianWilson said:

Thanks Craig. I see you're in Australia! Yes, it could well be 509 Fiat. They were being imported to Australia around that time. I have a friend who had a European one with a much more sporty body. But the wheels are also similar.

 

 I think she looks plenty sporty.

 

  Ben

[Guest]

7 hours ago, oldford said:

but what is a 'scuttle'???

COWL

[Craig Gillingham]

10 hours ago, oldford said:

I know you guys in Australia talk funny,🙂 but what is a 'scuttle'???

 

Frank

That's a good point, I would have been better to say behind the firewall. On these FIAT's, you had to lift the bonnet/hood every time you wanted to fill the fuel tank, which wasn't convenient.

[BrianWilson]

Correct. "Scuttle" is Cowl in the US of A!

 

A close look at the pic reveals a front brake drum. But just to complicate matters, an optional front brake was apparently available for the 501. Nevertheless, it's more than likely a Fiat 509 of 1925 or later.

 

My friend's sporty Fiat in Singapore was actually an early 1930s 508 Balilla. 

[nzcarnerd]

12 hours ago, oldford said:

I know you guys in Australia talk funny,🙂 but what is a 'scuttle'???

 

Frank

 

In the 'colonies' the terms used often depend on the origin of the car you have.  People with later model American cars generally, but not always, use American terms. Those, usually older, folks who have British cars tend to use the British terms. Often a mix is used.

 

Causes confusion with the word hood, which is what goes over the engine on an American car but is what keeps the rain off on a British car.

[BrianWilson]

Yes, of course you're right. Having lived in both the UK and US, I'm really confused! Have to think before I speak.

 

In the case of this car, at least we have "firewall" in common, although possibly that's more appropriate for cars with English electrics (you know who I'm talking about). 

 

Cheers

 

Brian