1926 FIAT 503B 2 Seater Open Tourer with Dickey Seat

The Fiat 503 was built between 1926 and 1927 and was an extremely important model for the company. The 503 demonstrated the potential for large scale production for the masses during a period of increasing prosperity during the 1920s. Powered by a modest, 2.2 litre, four-cylinder engine, the 503 model was loosely based on the influential Taxi of 1908 and was a direct descendant of the popular 501 model, manufactured between 1919 and 1926, which used a smaller four-cylinder sidevalve engine producing 23bhp. The 501 was also one of the first models to offer several different coachwork options for its customers, which proved extremely popular. For the new 503 in 1928, Fiat were overwhelmed by sales and could barely meet demand. In two years the company sold an impressive 42,000 units, thus securing the short-term future of the company.

This FIAT 503 open tourer was first registered to a Mr William Armatage-Wallace of Birch Horton on Sea in December 1946. It is not known if this car resided in the UK prior to World War II, however, the ownership details since the war are well documented. The first change of ownership took place on the 8th June 1961 and the little 503 was bought by a Mr W D Baddeley of Margate. Mr Baddeley owned the car right up until 1993 when it was bought by its current owner. Consequently, 'FN 7855' has had only three owners since 1946 and comes from a prominent private collection. Described by the vendor as in good condition, this 503 benefits from a recent mechanical stitching of the cylinder block, original buff log book, old invoices and MoT test certificates. An unquestionably rare example, 'FN 7855' has clearly been cared for over the years and is presented in highly original condition.