1913 Fiat Tipo 56 Tourer

The Fiat Company got its start in 1899 when Giovanni Agnelli gathered several investors together and founded the Italian Factory of Turin. In 1906 the name was changed to Fiat and Agnelli remained at the helm of his company until his death in 1945.

During the company's early years, it achieved many milestones. They built their first truck in 1904 and exported their first car to the United States in 1908. They were active in motorsports where they enjoyed much success.

Fiat quickly became one of the largest automobile companies in Italy. In 1910, they expanded even further by opening a plant in Poughkeepsie, New York.

The cars built by Fiat were elegant and sophisticated. At the time, Henry Ford was selling his Model T for a mere $525. For those who owned a Fiat, the starting price was $4,000 and that figure could climb to close to $7,000 depending on the coachwork. Unfortunately, the Poughkeepsie factory was closed in 1917 due to World War I.

This particular example was one of the examples built at the Poughkeepsie factory. This 1912 Tipo 56 was purchased new by the owner of the Mohank Mountain House Hotel in Platz, New York. It then went to Herb Schoenfeld in Seattle, Washington who owned it for several decades. Its next owner was well-known international collector car dealer Charles Howard in the U.K. and then went to Earl Snodgrass of California in 1987. Its subsequent owner was Jim Adams who used it extensively for touring, even competing in the International F.I.V.A. Rally running from Edinburgh to Stratford on Avon in 1996. In the early 2000s, it was given a comprehensive restoration and was then shown at Pebble Beach on two occasions, the last time being in 2012. More recently, it has been given new upholstery in its original diamond tufted leather, new carpets, and a new canvas top.

This vehicle has brass badges in the front, a tubular brass bumper, brass trimmed headlamps, brass radiator, brass cowl. Its lanterns and mirrors feature beveled glass and still retain the Fiat logo. There are full step running boards with an elegantly styled wood tool box on the left while the right side carries a twin set of spare tires. Located at the back is a black leather trunk. Inside, there are folding jump seats for extra passengers. The driver's compartment features a fine array of brass gauges, dual glove boxes, and finely finished wood work. The large steering wheel has fuel and spark advance controls.

Powering this Tipo 56 is an L-head six-cylinder 8.6-liter engine rated at 75 horsepower and mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. To make this more suitable and safe for modern driving, it was given a modern clutch in the 1990s and updated hydraulic brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2017

In 1899, Giovanni Agnelli and several investors founded the Italian Factory of Turin. In 1903, Fiat built its first truck and in 1908 the company exported their first car to the United States. In 1906, the name was changed to Fiat. Agnelli would be in charge of the company until his death in 1945.

Fiat would become the largest automobile company in Italy. They even opened a United States plant in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1910.

The Fiat vehicles were expensive and a social status symbol. Prices started at $4,000, which was an astronomical price considering that Henry Ford was selling his Model T for a mere $525. Along with being a symbol of wealth, they were well constructed and their engineering was superb.

Unfortunately, World War I caused Fiat to close it Poughkeepsie factory in 1917.

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.

This tall and imposing Touring car from the Golden Age is fitted with elegance on par with other large vehicles such as Thomas Flyer, Pierce-Arrow, Rolls-Royce and Locomobile. There are large brass headlamps, a tubular brass bumper, brass badges, and a brass radiator. There is beveled glass, lanterns, full-step running boards, a wood toll box and a twin set of spare tires. This Type 56 has a black leather trunk offering adequate exterior storage for long distance trips.

The rear seat is a bolstered and pleated cushion and there are folding jump seats for additional passengers. The driver's compartment is outfitted with an array of brass gauges, dual glove boxes, and fine wood work. There is a large steering with fuel and spark advance controls.

The six-cylinder engine offers 75 horsepower and is mated to a four-speed gearbox.

This Tipo 56 Touring has been fitted with a few refinements to improve is drivability and safety. It has a modern clutch that was fitted in the 1990s, along with hydraulic brakes, an extra radiator and electric fans.