Fiat Cars

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Fiat Photo Galleries


1914	1923	1935	1936	1937
1955	1958	1960	1961	1963
1966	1970	1972	1978	1979

Fiat History

Fiat Auto S.p.A.
Corso Giovanni Agnelli 200
10125 Torino, Italy
Phone: + 39011/686111
Fax: + 39011/6837591
Website: www.fiat.com

Fiat was founded in 1899 and has long been one of Italy's largest industrial firms. Fiat automobiles were produced in America from 1910 to 1918 at a factory in Poughkeepsi, NY.

There something special in the pride of Fiat ownership. Fiat automobiles were noted for their elegant finish and appointments, noiseless operation, simplicity of mechanisms, reliability and speed. In the early day of motoring, Fiat won more great racing victories than any other marque and Fiat was one of the first automobile manufacturers to produce a successful six-cylinder motor.

The most familiar pre-World War II Fiats in America were the 500A series built in Italy. Fiat built 122,016 Topolinos in coupe and cabriolet body styles between 1936 and 1948. Topolino translates to "little mouse", and these cars were often referred to as "Mickey Mouse." Many Topolinos were customized or used as drag race car bodies over the years making originals difficult to find.

1969 - Fiat buys Ferrari and Lancia.

1984 - Fiat buys Alfa Romeo.

1993 - Fiat buys Maserati.

Fiat America

In 1910, Fiat sought to increase its share of the American market by establishing a branch factory at Poughkeepsie, New York. The parent company furnished the engineering staff, working drawings, and some of the materials and parts. The processes of construction were identical in Poughkeepsie to those in Turin. The American location also made it possible to eliminate payment of a 45% duty imposed on all imported autos. Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, and others also established American factories during this period to make their cars more price competitive with U.S. models.

The Poughkeepsie factory production ended in 1918.