Racing Fiat

Sir,
The car which appears in a photograph from Mr RRS Clarke in Readers’ Requests (Motor Sport, December 1988) is I think a Fiat, probably a sports-racing Tipo 501, SS, circa 1923-24. A very similar car with body designed by Bertone appears on page 67 of Carrozeria Italiana Advancing the Art and Science of Automobile Design. This car does not have front-wheel brakes, but judging from photographs I have seen of Tipo 501 SS Fiats they appear to have been optional. This car also closely resembles the 1500 Tipo Monza Chiribiri of the same period, but I think Fiat is probably responsible for the car in Mr Clarke’s photo.

The registration number S-8406 would have been issued circa June or July 1919 in Edinburgh, and I cannot help feeling that it has been transferred from an earlier vehicle. It would be most interesting to know to whom and for what this number was originally issued.

James N Savage, Edinburgh