Fiat 505 Torpedo - 1924
— A popular and elegant Fiat Torpedo in its green livery —- Model A Fiat emblematic of the popular cars launched after the war.
- Bodywork Interesting Torpedo bodywork.
- Colour scheme A uniform and very elegant green livery right down to the wheels.
- Condition A complete car, well preserved and having benefited from an old quality restoration.
- Rarity A rare car on our roads that deserves to be seen.
Like its predecessor, the 501, the Fiat 505 had to respond to the growing need for mobility after WW1. More spacious and powerful than the 501, the 505 was also a great success thanks to its many versions. The car in the ANNA LISA Art On Wheels collection does not lack elegance with its pretty green colour.
A popular and ingenious car
As with the Fiat 501 from the ANNA LISA Art On Wheels collection, successfully launched in 1919 and produced until 1926, the Fiat 505 is still launched within a post WW1 context.
The period was focused on reconstruction and the production of popular and accessible cars. Fiat was then looking to launch a more powerful car than its 501 and brought out the 505, which was based on a ladder chassis. The 505 was also more voluminous with its longer wheelbase. Finally, its bonnet was more rounded.
As usual, Fiat was selling either a bare chassis, so that independent coachbuilders could build their own specific versions, or versions for different uses: cabriolet, roadster and 4-door saloon.
For the two cabriolet and roadster versions, the Turin-based manufacturer has placed the spare wheels on the outside behind the wings. A simple flat dashboard complemented the uncluttered interior with its slim four-spoke steering wheel on the right and white meters in its centre.
The car’s passengers were seated on one of the two bench seats at the front and rear of the car. Finally, depending on the version, the car was equipped with one or two front doors for the front passengers.
On the technical side, Fiat installed a suspension system identical to the one of the 501 with two rigid axles and leaf springs. But the car also benefited from important technical progress, such as an electric starter, four-wheel brakes and a four-speed manual gearbox.
Finally, the 505 was powered by a more torquey 2.3 litre four cylinder engine with side valves than the 501. The torque allowed the chassis to be used as a platform for heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
The 505 was produced from 1919 to 1925 before being replaced by its successor, the 507.
©Aguttes
The Fiat 505 Torpedo from the ANNA LISA collection
The Fiat 505 Torpedo from the ANNA LISA Art On Wheels collection was manufactured in 1924.
Like the vast majority of the cars in our collection, it benefited from a very fine restoration carried out at the end of the 1980s. Thus, despite a long period of staying dormant, it is today in good general condition, also thanks to storage in an ideally dry and covered garage.
Rediscovering it after decades of being hidden away from the light was an emotional moment, as its appearance, patina and colour moved us. This rare and beautiful uniform green colour can be seen on the chassis, the wheels and the drum brakes.
The interior is characteristic of the period with its black leather upholstery and matching carpets. The wooden dashboard is distinguished by its elegant light-coloured piping, which is also found on the door trim. The various meters with a white background have been perfectly preserved.
Finally, the soft top of this Torpedo-type body is in satisfactory condition and is accompanied by contemporary side-screens ideal for driving in rainy and/or cold weather.
The 3.0 litre Tipo 105 4-cylinder engine needs to be restarted, which should be relatively easy.
In conclusion, this historic, rare and popular Fiat is definitely worth a look!