Lot 248: 1963 Fiat 519 Weymann Saloon

Between the wars the 519 was undoubtedly the flagship of the Fiat model range, aside from the 520 Super Fiat with its 12-cylinder engine of which only less than a handful were produced. It was developed on a completely new chassis and fitted with an equally new straight six cylinder engine with a displacement of 4.8 litres, producing some 77bhp, quite a powerhouse for the time. As a first in a production car, deceleration was provided by hydraulically assisted brakes on all four wheels; the hydraulic system was, rather interestingly, powered by the gearbox rather than the engine. Production ceased in 1927, when some 2,400 Fiat 519s had left the Turin factory in a variety of chassis lengths and body styles. As the 519 was one of the most luxurious offerings from Italy, it comes as no surprise that King Vittorio Emmanuele was among the few wealthy owners of this impressive car. Quite appropriately, the Fiat sales brochure for the 519 is headlined The Majesty of Simplicity and George C. Stead wrote after a road test in The Sunday Times: "I am now firmly convinced that the 26.8 h.p. Six Cylinder Fiat is one of the cars of the best quality in the world. To those who are mechanically minded, a peep under the bonnet will prove a sheer delight The whole car is designed and constructed according to the best Fiat traditions." Rather interestingly, chassis 92108 was ordered new by an English gentleman through the Fiat (England) Ltd. head office and showrooms in Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London and was fitted with a Weymann fabric saloon body. Its original English registration was OR 7749. It is believed that only four of these handsome four light saloons are still in existence, and this must be one of the best. Chassis 92108 was purchased by the present owner, a notable collector from Sicily, some 10 years ago. Not long after, he commissioned the well known restorer Dr. Vaccari of Palermo to bring this majestic car back to its former glory; the work to achieve its splendid present condition, comprising restoration of the chassis, wooden frame, interior and mechanical components, took approximately eight years. On a recent test drive the car performed impeccably on wet Sicilian roads and is, when considering the weight and size of the Fiat, an eager performer. Handsomely finished in black over brown with a sumptuous dark red and beige cloth interior, this majestic 519 is once again fit for a king and should be considered by any serious Fiat collector. Offered with Italian registration documents and ASI homologation, it is accompanied by a photographic record of the restoration. Telaio 92108 fu acquistato dall'attuale proprietario, un noto collezionista siciliano, circa dieci anni fa. Poco dopo egli ne commission il restauro al famoso restauratore Dott. Vaccari di Palermo per riportare il gioiello al suo splendore originale. Intraprese i lavori che durarono circa otto anni, restaurando la carrozzeria, le parti in legno, gli interni e la meccanica riportando la vettura nelle splendide condizioni in cui si trova oggi. In una recente prova anche su strada bagnata l'automobile ha dato buona prova di sé, considerando anche il peso e le dimensioni. Elegantemente rifinita in nero e marrone con sontuosi interni rosso scuro e beige, questa maestosa 519 di nuovo adatta ad un re e dovrebbe essere di sicuro interesse per ogni serio collezionista Fiat. offerta con documenti di immatricolazione italiani, omologazione ASI e documentazione fotografica del restauro.