1912 Fiat Model 56 7-Passenger 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 new U.S. Company retained the rights to FIAT's manufacturing designs and the parent firm received a royalty on every car built in the United States. The first products were a couple of four-cylinder designs. A few years later, in 1912, a new six-cylinder, 45-horsepower, 8.6-liter engine of mono-block construction with integral water-jacketed intake and exhaust manifolds was introduced on the Model 56. This big under-square six utilized a cooling fan mounted to its flywheel, and belly pans below the engine and transmission ensured proper airflow.

The Model 56 were built exclusively for American customers and initially available only as a seven-passenger touring car resting on a 135-inch wheelbase. A broader selection of body styles soon followed. The final year for the Model 56 was in 1916, with the choice of body styles reduced to five. In 1917, FIAT reduced its production in Poughkeepsie to only four-cylinder cars, and the American factory closed in 1918.

This particular Model 56 is a seven-passenger touring car believed to have been originally sold in Los Angeles. The early history is not known; around 1952, it was purchased by Mr. Colin 'Ernie' Shaw of Santa Rosa, California from a dentist in Los Angeles. It had been damaged in a storage facility fire, and the owner didn't want to deal with the repairs. Mr. Shaw, aided by the help of several friends, began work on its repairs, replacing several areas of damaged aluminum with sheet tin, and the burned wooden firewall and windshield frame with new material.

After Ernie's passing, the car was bequeathed to his son, who sold it in 2013 to its current caretaker.

This largely original example is equipped with a four-speed transmission with direct drive in fourth. A torque-tube delivers power to a 'Clamshell' rear axle. The car rides on large wood-spoked artillery wheels with de-mountable rims. Brakes are rear-wheel only. The body was manufactured at FIAT's Poughkeepsie plant and constructed from aluminum over wood framing, with steel fenders and hood.

The car is finished in cream and black and has never been restored cosmetically. The engine was recently rebuilt by Boulevard Motorcar Company in Westlake Village, California.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2015