By Simone | 3rd September 2018
Deep in the back of a garage in Spain, one of the most interesting pre-war Fiats has been discovered: a Fiat Balilla Berlinetta Aerodinámica. Of the approximately 30 Berlinetta Aerodinámica that are thought to have been built, only 12 are known to have survived, and one of them is part of this week’s Pre-War Classic Car auction (7th - 18th September 2018). Our classic car expert, Francisco Carrión Cardenas, shares with us what makes this barn find a project worth taking on.
A completely unknown example of the Fiat Berlinetta Aerodinámica has surfaced in a garage in a village in the centre of Spain. This Fiat is almost certainly the only one of its kind to be imported to Spain.
Nothing is known for sure, but our expert thinks it must have arrived shortly before the start of the Spanish Civil War in July 1936. Many interesting cars were hidden away, commandeered or destroyed in the war and its long aftermath. In this case, the coachwork was mounted on a Citroën chassis at some point, and the original front wings and radiator were replaced by one-off handmade items.
Above: a Fiat Berlinetta in its prime | Below: the Fiat we have in auction
About 30 Berlinetta Aerodinámicas are thought to have been built, all with aluminium doors and boot lid. Only around 12 units are known to have survived, so values are high. One of these cars sold for over €300,000 at auction in Monaco in May 2018.
After many years of being hidden in the back of the garage, the coachwork is unfortunately in pretty poor condition, and sits on the chassis of a 1920s Citroën 5CV. The panels, wooden frame and trim are original, although front wings and radiator grille are not. Fortunately, the main coachwork was kept intact, as was its wooden framework, floors, trim mouldings and windscreen. The doors and boot lid are the original aluminium items, and the boot floor retains the 3 fixtures for a spare wheel.
As a project, the car is interesting and complicated in equal measure. Finding a Fiat Balilla chassis and components is straightforward, but the reproduction of the original wings and front, or of the interior will be more challenging. However, our expert thinks it will certainly be rewarding to resurrect a car so very eligible for the Mille Miglia.
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You can bid on this car in our Pre-War Classic Car auction from 7th - 18th September 2018.
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