Curbside Classic: 1935 Fiat 508S Balilla Berlinetta Aerodinamica – Thousand Miglia Stare

The ‘30s were the decade of automotive streamlining, as we all know. Because this science was in its infancy and progress is always uneven, there were a lot of questionable designs made at the time. The Chrysler Airflow is the usual example, but there were many others. On the other hand, there were a number of absolute gems, and this gorgeous little Fiat is definitely one of those.

There is not a line on this machine that I would deem out of place. Aerodynamic bodies, especially for small front-engined cars, were very challenging for ‘30s designers. Four door saloons were even more difficult to get right (just look at the Lancia Aprilia, for instance), of course, but Mario Revelli di Beaumont, who penned this berlinetta’s flowing shapes, was fortunately tasked to invent a car for the Mille Miglia, not a taxi.

But first, let’s examine the standard issue Fiat 508 Balilla. Production in Lingotto got under way in the summer of 1932 with four factory body styles – two- and four-door saloons, two-door cabriolet and four-door “torpedo” (convertible). A van was also available. In 1933, a very sexy and sporty Ghia-designed roadster was added to the range.

It was Fiat’s grand return to the small car segment, which they had left when the 509 went out of production in 1929. The new little Fiat was heavily promoted as the ideal chic chick transport – even in Mussolini’s Italy, women were becoming a key demographic for automakers.

From a technical standpoint, the Balilla was rather average for its time: a ladder chassis with a beam front axle, leaf springs all around, a 995cc side-valve 4-cyl. producing 20hp mated to a 3-speed manual – nothing overly exciting. The sole really modern touch were hydraulic brakes. As we can see from the 1934 brochure above, a fourth gear was also added eventually, and rest assured that the 20hp output was only relevant for the standard models, not the 508 S.

The regular range could be fitted with an optional “Spinto” engine providing 24hp, but the proper 508 Sport chassis was a different matter. Initially fitted with a 30hp engine and a 3-speed gearbox, the low-slung Sport received an OHV head, enabling it to raise the bar to 36hp @ 4400rpm by 1934.

The following year, Fiat’s Carrozzerie Speciali (their in-house coachbuilder) started manufacturing the Berlinetta Aerodinamica on the same Sport chassis used for the Coppa d’Oro spider. Said spider had had a very good run at racing in 1933-34 – it was very light and, notwithstanding its rather basic underpinnings, handled well. So Fiat decided a closed body might be useful, especially for the Mille Miglia, which was run in northern Italy in the winter.

Unfortunately, the added weight of the berlinetta body was not offset by its (rudimentary) aerodynamism. The coupé was too heavy to be competitive, although one of these did finish 14^th overall and second in its class at the 1936 Mille Miglia.

Only eleven of these superb machines were made by Fiat, in the end. The Balilla spider was the real sports car of the range – this one was a failed attempt. But if this is what failure looks like, there is a clear need to re-evaluate what constitutes success.

The Balilla at large was a great sales success, though: over 110k units were made between 1932 and 1937, when it was replaced by the 508 C (essentially a different car); in addition, over 30,000 more were made outside Italy by NSU-Fiat in Germany, Simca-Fiat in France, Polski-Fiat in Poland and Walter in Czechoslovakia.

All that remains is to bask in the glory of this particular version of the Balilla – a failed attempt at making a racer for sure, but a truly beautiful vehicle by any measure.

This might be my favourite feature of the whole car. Not a dorsal fin per se, but there is a certain kinship to my beloved Tatras nevertheless. Much larger backlight on this Fiat though – you might actually be able to see something out of it. But let’s take a look inside.

Interesting placement for those dials, eh? I guess the that huge wiper motor would have gotten in the way otherwise. Lots of wood in there, too – I’m guessing the body was made the traditional way, with steel or aluminium panels over an ash frame. No wonder it was too heavy.

Contemporary accounts also claim that the sporty Balillas were notoriously loud – which, given we’re talking about a time when muffler technology was in its infancy, must have been ear-splitting. I saw this one pull away and roll down the street, and it did not strike me as particularly noisy.

But then again, there are plenty of McLarens and Lamborghinis screeching down that avenue on Sundays, so perhaps this is the wrong place to ascertain this particular aspect of our little Fiat.

It’s a little odd how the owner put decals for a local beauty product company on such a rare car. Maybe he is the guy behind the brand – there is another car (a Porsche 356, if memory serves) bearing “LippsBoy” scripts that I’ve seen on these regular informal Sunday gatherings. No such thing as bad(ly placed) publicity…

I have seen at least a couple other Balillas – both Coppa d’Oro roadsters – in Tokyo. They will have their turn on CC someday, when we’ll revisit the distant past. In the meantime, what can one say but “Ciao Bellissima”?