Concept Cars Home
 

1913 Fiat Tipo 56 news, pictures, and information

Tourer
 
Giovanni Agnelli, who had been managing director of F.I.A.T. (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) since 1902, inaugurated the American Fiat Automobile Company in 1909 along the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York. Due to the 45 percent duties that were imposed on imported cars, Agnelli needed to establish a manufacturing plant to serve the American market.

The American Fiat factory built this Type 56, a large six-cylinder car created exclusively for the United States, from 1912 to 1916, but this Type 56 was actually found in England in 1986 by Earl Snodgrass, who restored it and drove it on many rallies.
F.I.A.T. (Fabbrica italiana Automobili Torino) was established in 1899 in Turin, Italy. Giovanni Agnelli became managing director of F.I.A.T. in 1902. Agnelli explored the possibility of opening a manufacturing plant in America, as a means of reduce shipping and export costs. In 1909, the American F.I.A.T. Automobile Company was introduced with its new plant located near the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York.

By this point in history, there were plenty of automobile manufacturers, engine suppliers, and coachbuilders. Henry Ford was putting the world on wheels with his Model T, and there was no shortage of elegant and luxurious automakers, such as Pierce-Arrow, Packard, Peerless, and Cadillac. Fiat was determined to create an American-built luxury car of their own. For 1913, their large vehicles ranged from $4,000 to $6,100. The 'entry' models were the Type 53, 54, and 55 powered by a four-cylinder engine. The Type 56 - ranging in price from $5,000 to $6,400, was powered by a six-cylinder engine. Production of the US exclusive model began in 1912 and lasted until 1916. Bodystyles included Touring, Phaeton, Landaulet and Limousine and rested on a 135-inch wheelbase. Up front was a large, 8.6-liter, L-head straight six developing 45 horsepower. Power was sent to the rear 27-inch artillery-spoke wooden wheels via a torque tube. The vehicles were kept in the driver's control via an internally expanding mechanical drum brakes plus an externally contracting parking brake.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2012
For more information and related vehicles, click here



Similar Automakers
Alfa RomeoCitroen
LanciaMorgan
OpelPeugeot
RenaultSeat
SkodaVauxhall
 
Fiat: 1911-1920
Similar Automakers
Fiat History
Other models by Fiat
Manufacturer Website

Related Articles and Event Coverage
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
2005 Palm Beach International Concours d'Elegance

Fiat
Monthly Sales FiguresVolume
April 20133,899 
March 20133,807 
February 20133,302 
January 20132,503 
December 20123,707 
November 20123,603 
October 20123,720 
September 20124,176 
August 20124,150 
July 20123,710 
June 20124,004 
May 20124,003 
(More Details)

 
1100
1200
124
128
131
1500GT
500
508
600
60HP
850
8V
Balilla
Barchetta
Bravo
Cinquecento
Croma
Dino
Freemont
Panda
Punto
Ritmo
Tipo 6
Topolino
Type 56
Ulysse
Uno
X 1/9

© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.