Automobile Fiat 508S Balilla Sport Coppa d’Ora 1934 in vendita

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To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The London Auction event, 31 October 2026.
Offered Without Reserve | £60,000 - £90,000 GBP

Fascinating history; understood to have been delivered new to a member of the Selangor Royal Family of Malaysia
Acquired by an expatriate and used in grand prix and hill climb events in Malaysia in the 1970s before bringing the car to the United Kingdom
Powered by a 30 horsepower side-valve inline-four engine, which is paired with a four-speed gearbox
Attractive and athletic styling, with flowing wings and a central rear fin

The Fiat 508, nicknamed “Balilla” after an 18th Century Genoese hero, was conceived as an affordable and practical compact car. It succeeded in being precisely that, with the majority built from 1932–1937 being two-door four-seat saloons, sensible cabriolets, and light commercial vehicles. Yet the skill of the engineering team responsible for the car—led by Tranquillo Zerbi, with contributions from Antonio Fessia, Bartolomeo Nebbia, and Dante Giacosa, most of whom brought experience from Fiat’s aeronautical department—made the humble 508 an ideal platform for so much more.

Fiat soon developed a more powerful version, the 508S, squeezing 30 horsepower from its 995-cubic-centimetre side-valve engine (a more powerful overhead-valve version was later offered). This model was draped in sporting bodywork from Fiat as well as a range of coachbuilders, and it contested a variety of grands prix and endurance races with success, including class wins at Le Mans and the Mille Miglia.

Offered here is a 508S Coppa d’Oro, a striking two-seat spider with flowing wings and a distinctive central fin in the rear. Research conducted by a previous owner, Mike Hawke, suggested that this was one of four such cars imported to Malaysia, and that it was delivered new to a member of the Selangor Royal Family, who retained the car until 1938. Hawke’s further research suggests that this chassis may have been originally delivered with a side-valve engine and a four-speed gearbox, the latter a feature introduced in spring 1934, making for an unusual (and perhaps unique) configuration. At some point in the late 1930s, a replacement engine was fitted.

The Fiat reportedly had a small number of owners—including Loke Wan Tho, the owner of Cathay Cinema and chairman of Malaysia Singapore Airlines—before it was purchased circa 1970 by Cdr Mike Hawke, who was a Naval Officer living in Malaysia at the time. By then the car needed a complete rebuild, which was carried out under the guidance of Hawke, who proceeded to use the car extensively on tours and in hill climb and grand prix events in Malaysia. When he returned to the United Kingdom with his family, he took the Fiat with him and continued to race it extensively in club events.

In 1993, the 508S was acquired by David Mead via D E Baldock of Goudhurt, Kent. During Mead’s ownership the car was featured in an issue of AutoItalia, which praised its sprightly nature and deemed it a “well-kept secret” with a fun-factor that far exceeds its petite size. Although originally fitted with the early production side-valve engine, Mr Mead rebuilt a later, more powerful overhead valve engine as fitted to later production models. This engine will also be sold with the car.

Offered now with an appealing patina that speaks to its enthusiastic use, this characterful Fiat remains highly eligible for rallies and tours.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/lf26/.