Fiat 509: the small overhead-cam Fiat of the twenties

The Fiat 509 was a car produced by Fiat between 1925 and 1929 as the replacement for the 501. About 90,000 were sold. In 1926 the car was upgraded to the 509A, and for 1928 it was offered with standard insurance.

Fiat 509 at a glance

Short article: the source gives only a brief account of the model.

History of the Fiat 509

Model range

The 509 replaced the Fiat 501 in 1925 and stayed in production until 1929. Alongside the standard car, Fiat built the 509S and 509SM sports models, as well as taxi and commercial versions, so the same chassis served private owners, taxi operators and small businesses.

The engine was a 990 cc unit with an overhead camshaft, a relatively advanced layout for a small car of the mid-1920s. In 1926 the model was updated as the 509A. From 1928 the car could be bought with standard insurance included, an unusual sales arrangement for the period.

In popular culture

A yellow and black Fiat 509 is the car of the Belgian comic character Gaston Lagaffe and the centre of many gags through the series, which has made the model familiar to readers who have never seen one on the road.

Design and features

• Overhead camshaft: a 990 cc engine with a layout unusual in small cars of 1925.
• One chassis, many jobs: standard car, taxi and commercial bodies from the same base.
• Sports derivatives: the 509S and 509SM for faster touring.
• 509A update: the revised model of 1926.
• Insurance included: from 1928 the car was sold with standard insurance.

Fiat 509 versions

• 509: the standard car of 1925.
• 509A: the upgraded model introduced in 1926.
• 509S and 509SM: sports versions.
• Taxi and commercial: bodywork for hire work and deliveries.

The 509 was followed in the small-car range by the Fiat 508 Balilla and sat below the Fiat 503. More cars are in the Fiat collection.

Sources

• Fiat 509, English Wikipedia: production years, 509A, versions, engine and sales