FIAT 508

Fiat 508e

PaeseItalia
digitareAuto compatta
Produzione1932–1937
CostruitoOltre 100000

Le Fiat 508 Balilla è stata un'autovettura compatta progettata e prodotta dalla Fiat dal 1932 al 1937. Si trattava, a tutti gli effetti, della sostituzione della Fiat 509, anche se la produzione del modello precedente era cessata nel 1929. Aveva una trasmissione a tre velocità (aumentata a quattro nel 1934), quattro posti a sedere e una velocità massima di circa 50 mph (80 km/h). E' stato venduto a 10.800 lire (ovvero 8.300 euro nel 2005). Ne sono stati prodotti circa 113.000.

fonte: Wikipedia

FIAT 508 Walk Around
FotografoGian Luca Cocchi
LocalizzazioneInconsapevole
Foto17
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A Social and Military Revolution

Le Fiat 508 Balilla, introduced in 1932, was the most popular Italian car of the 1930s. Designed as an affordable “people’s car,” it was simple, robust, and easy to maintain. However, its true legacy lies in its versatility; the Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) quickly realized that the 508 chassis was ideal for military adaptation. This led to the creation of the 508M (Militare) and the famous 508 CM “Coloniale,” which became the ubiquitous light staff car for Italian officers in North Africa and Russia.

Attribute Standard Specification (Fiat 508 / 508 CM)
Ruolo Economy Car / Military Staff & Liaison Car
Production Years 1932–1937 (Civilian) / Until 1945 (Military)
Engine Type Fiat 108: 4-cylinder, side-valve petrol
Displacement 995 cc
Horsepower 20 hp to 24 hp (30 hp in later 508C models)
Transmission 3-speed Manual (Later 4-speed)
Max Speed 80–95 km/h (approx. 50–60 mph)
Curb Weight approx. 685 kg (Civilian) / 890 kg (Military)

The “Coloniale” Evolution

  • Military Adaptation: The 508 CM was characterized by its high-clearance suspension, larger tires, and a rugged, open-top body. These modifications allowed it to traverse the soft sand and rocky “hamada” of the Libyan desert.
  • The “Long” 508C: In 1937, Fiat introduced the 508C (Nuova Balilla), which featured a more powerful 1,100cc engine and aerodynamic styling. This chassis was also militarized, leading to the 1100 “Coloniale” which served as the Italian equivalent of the German Kübelwagen.
  • Technical Simplicity: The side-valve engine was intentionally under-stressed to run on low-quality fuel, and the mechanical brakes were simple to repair in the field.

Military Variants

  • 508M (Militare): The first militarized version, often featuring a soft-top and standard civilian fenders, used mainly for domestic duties and communications.
  • 508 CM (Coloniale Militare): The definitive war version with a distinctively boxy body, spade mounts, and extra fuel cans for long-range desert patrols.
  • 508 Camioncino: A light pickup truck version capable of carrying 350 kg, used for transporting light supplies and small units of soldiers.
  • AS.37 Platform: The 508 was often used as the base for the Autosahariana long-range desert vehicles, which were heavily armed with Breda machine guns or 20mm cannons.

Eredità

The Fiat 508 didn’t just win over Italian families; it proved itself as a resilient combatant in some of the harshest environments of WWII. After the war, the 508C chassis became the foundation for the Fiat 1100, a car that would continue to be produced (most notably in India as the Premier Padmini) for decades to come.


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