Clutton and Stanford in their seminal work 'The Vintage Motor Car' said of the 501 "...appeared as early as 1919, had a long-stroke side-valve engine of quite unusual silence and refinement, and there was a balance and quality about the design that has caused it to be considered one of the most pleasing small family cars ever made, particularly in its steering and brakes" Exports were strong, this particular example being transported to Australia in 1925 where it was fitted with local coachwork by the Melbourne Motor Works. Nothing is known of its very early history, but by the 1950s it was in the hands of a professional ‘Rabbiter’! In 1960 it was purchased by an active Vintage Club member in Melbourne and comprehensively restored by him and his father. He kept the car for the next 35 years, using it and caring for it.

During the restoration, the only area of the interior that needed attention was the driver’s seat squab. He took a piece of the interior to his local leather supplier in Melbourne and asked if they could match the colour. He was told to wait. About five minutes later, the chap appeared and said "we can do better than that", showing him a sample which had exactly the same crocodile skin embossing pattern as the original. He confirmed that his business used to supply the Melbourne Motor Works with leather and they still had the same embossing machine that was used to pattern the original material supplied with the car. They matched the colour exactly and then put the hide through the machine. Now, 59 years later, you cannot tell the difference. The current owner’s father knew it’s Australian owner well and agreed to purchase the car in 1995. A 501 had been their family transport from the early 1930s until 1955 so he had a soft-spot for the model. It was duly UK registered and enjoyed for annual trips to Prescott, the odd wedding and for family occasions too.

Passing to his son, the car has been used for various VSCC LC&ES section events - its most recent competitive foray was VSCC Madresfield in 2018. It comes complete with a good hood (with a lovely glass rear window), a full set of excellent side-screens which make it very snug inside and a full running-board mounted tool kit full of original tools which is a joy to behold. There is also a handy proprietary suitcase holder mounted on the running board on the opposite side. Paperwork includes the V5C, several old MOTs and some notes and correspondence dating from its time in Australia. There are some useful spares, including the majority of a spare engine, exhaust manifold, a gearbox, half shafts, a spare Marelli magneto and numerous gaskets and small parts. In addition, a braked front axle is available by separate negotiation.

Extremely pretty, beautifully made and in lovely original condition, this mid-‘20s Fiat looks exceptional value at the suggested guide price.