Italo-French hybrids in Turin

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It seems that Italian auctioneer Aste Bolaffi is rapidly establishing a name in classic cars. After having recently sold a stamp at 204,000 euros and a letter by Maria Callas at 81,000 euros, they have discovered the motoring market. Not surprisingly perhaps since their offices are based in Torino. In the last two years, they sold several cars from the Bertone collection. Oh – and Gianni Agnelli’s own Fiat Panda 4x4 at 39,000 euros!

They’ve now laid their hands on a number of interesting PreWarCars also, which are scheduled to find new owners on 21 January at 4 pm, live on the world wide web. Interestingly, the majority of these vehicles is not Italian. There are two Fords, two Peugeots, a particularly nice Charron Spider and early Citroën Torpedo plus a Hooper-bodied Rolls-Royce in lovely Cambridge Blue over Oxford Blue.

1933 Fiat 508 Balilla

That still leaves us with a couple of Fiats to keep to the Italian theme. There is a 508 Ballila of 1933-vintage, which had just three owners from new, the last of whom enjoyed it for 28 years. Described as ‘The result of work of some of the greatest automotive engineers who ever lived: Dante Giacosa, Tranquillo Zerbi, Antonio Fessia and Bartolomeo Nebbia’, it’s said to be in perfect condition also, and with all the correct numbers and documents available for those who wish to participate in the historic Mille Miglia.

1930 Fiat 514 Berlina

Least as interesting is a 1930 Fiat 514 Berlina with a body by Kelsch of France. This Levallois-based coachbuilder claims to fame include one aerodynamically challenging body on a Bugatti Type 30 (Google it and be amazed), but came up with a number of slightly more down-to-earth Fiats also. This one was restored in its duotone colour scheme in the late 1990s and never saw use since. It comes with invoices and a French logbook.

1937 Fiat-Simca Berlina 11 CV

That brings us to another Italo-French hybrid in the shape of the 1937 Fiat-Simca 11 CV, on offer also. Again, it is fully restored in the late-1990s but has hardly been used since. We like it, with its pressed steel wheels and ‘coffee and cream’ colours, art-deco details inside and pinstriping on the fenders. All three of them are offered with estimates not apart, so it’s up to you.

Words by Jeroen Booij. Pictures courtesy of Aste Baloffi.

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