The Fiat 508 C Balilla 1100 was a compact car developed and designed by Fiat in 1932 as a replacement of the Fiat 509. It had a three-speed (upgraded to four in 1934) transmission, four seats, and a maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). More than 113,000 units of this model were produced and sold for 10,800 lire (8,300 EUR in 2005).
The vehicle was also assembled by Walter Motors a.s. in Czechoslovakia, Centralne Warsztaty Samochodowe in Poland, NSU-Fiat in Germany, and "SAFAF" (renamed as Simca-Fiat in 1934) in France.
Background
The car was created by some of the leading Italian automotive engineers of the day, including Nebbia, Fessia, Giacosa, and Tranquillo Zerbi. It was revealed on 12 April 1932 at a motor show in the Fiera Milano trade fair site.
Fiats 508A (1932 - 1934) and 508B (1934 - 1937)
The 508 Balilla came with a front-mounted 1,000 cc petrol/gasoline side-valve engine producing 20 hp (15 kW) at 3500 rpm. It provided a top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and transmission was done by a 3-speed manual gear box with no synchromesh on any of the ratios. Drum brakes on all four wheels provided the stopping power. For 1934, the engine power was increased to 24 hp (18 kW) and maximum speed to 85 km/h (53 mph), also it had a four-speed gear box. The car also received a more aerodynamic saloon/sedan body, available in two or four door variants, which was identified as the Fiat 508B and the first version became the Fiat 508A.
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