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Aya-Wavedancer — 1912 FIAT 55 Roadster by Fleetwood
Published: 2019-06-18 12:37:05 +0000 UTC; Views: 546; Favourites: 31; Downloads: 18
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Description
An interesting part of FIAT's history is that they assembled cars in the US from 1909-1918 in Poughkeepsie, NY to avoid a 45% import duty. The chassis were identical to the Italian-built cars since they used identical parts. This example has a 9(!!!) Litre, 75HP 4 cylinder engine, a 4-speed transmission, and shaft drive, all rather advanced articales of automotive engineering for their day.It has custom coachwork by Fleetwood, and according to its owner, it's faster and more powerful than a period Mercer Raceabout, which definitely puts it at the top of the list for a fast sports car of this era.
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Comments: 7
It could be a light or lantern. I didn't inspect close enough to see. The Benton Harbor in my gallery definitely uses lanterns. I had to do some reading. In this period, many cars used Acetylene lamps, but the transition to electric headlights was happening by 1912. Cadillac was the first to integrate electric lights into the ignition system in 1912.
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Is it just me or does the Fiat 55 look like more like a GM model but with a Fiat logo slaped on it ? (just saying)
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Fleetwood Coachwork would be the answer. The chassis and running gear are FIAT.
Similar to the Saoutchik Cadillac in the gallery. At first glance, it looks like a Talbot-Lago or Delahaye.
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Ow now that makes sence, thanks for the info pal.
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