1911 Fiat Tipo 6 Demi-Tonneau

In 1900, the first Fiat factory opened in Turin, Italy, and the company built 24 cars in that first year. By 1904, Fiats were making a name for themselves in races in Europe and the United States. This Fiat Tipo 6 was ordered new from the Hol-Tan Automobile Company of New York by the race driver William Wallace, who drove it in the Eagle Rock Hill Climb and two Vanderbilt Cup races. This 1911 Fiat Tipo 6 is believed to be one of just 28 examples produced.

During the early part of the 20th century, many high-end European automobile manufacturers, including Fiat, shipped rolling chassis - which included the frame, engine transmission, brakes, and wheels - to the United States to reduce their tax liabilities. Upon arrival, the importing dealer would then have the rolling chassis fitted with coachwork from a coachbuilder's catalogue or from a bespoke design to the customer's specification.

Mr. William Wallace Jr. specified the new Fiat Tipo 6 chassis on a 124-inch wheelbase through the Hol-Tan Company of New York City. It was given a custom four-seat open touring body (also known as a 'demi' or 'toy' tonneau). It is believed that when new, the car cost $10,000 - a size-able fortune at the time.

In 1904, Wallace drove the Fiat in the inaugural Vanderbilt Cup Race and finished last. He won that year's Eagle Rock Hill Climb at West Orange, New Jersey, also behind the wheel of the Fiat.

Its second owner, in the 1940s, was W. Nelson Bump of Boston, who later became a regional vice president of American Airlines. Bob Germaine purchased the car in 1959 and retained it for the next three decades. It was then sold via Manny Dragone to James Adams of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1990, it was acquired by Lawrence Smith of Wichita, Kansas, who owned it until 2002 when it came into the care of its current owner. Since that time, the car has been carefully brought back to its original specifications.

In 2002, the chassis was repainted. The 550 cubic-inch side-valve engine is has its original carburetor, magneto, and coil. The Fiat has its original grease cups and lubricator fittings, and Hartford adjustable friction shocks. It has an aluminum over ash body finished in period colors of medium green with gold and black striping. There is brown leather upholstery and a black canvas top. There are many original features and accessories including the tool kit, a working Warner 100 mph combination speedometer/clock, Nonpareil triple-twist bulb horn, brass boa constrictor bulb horn (not a reproduction), and Badger Brass Solarclipse headlamps and carriage lamps. The brass hood ornament by Louis Lejeune is a period accessory but not original to the car. It has a large, under-square engine with full-pressure lubrication, torque and chain drive, and a 1.9:1 final gearing.

In 2012, the car was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it was judged Best in Class.