1933 Fiat 508 Balilla Spider Sport (Kelsch coachbuilt conversion)
- Engine
- OHV inline-four, ~995cc, CS-type, paired with four-speed synchromesh gearbox
- Colour
- 'Rosso Scuderia' (racing red) with khaki convertible top
A 1933 Fiat 508 Balilla that was converted early in its life by French coachbuilder Kelsch into a Spider Sport-style open two-seater closely mimicking the factory Ghia-designed 508S body. Originally delivered in January 1933 to Fiat's Spanish office as a standard sedan with a side-valve engine, it was subsequently fitted with a later overhead-valve CS-type engine and four-speed synchromesh gearbox. Finished in Rosso Scuderia with period French instrumentation and Kelsch badging, the car blends Italian design with Gallic coachwork craftsmanship.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$128,800
- 1933 →Factory deliveryFiat Spanish officefull documentation
Vehicle delivered new as a standard sedan with side-valve engine to Fiat's Spanish distribution office in early 1933, per the original factory certificate.
- 2008 →Acquisition unknownOscar Davispartial documentation
Car has seen limited touring or exhibition since entering this collection; upkeep entrusted to a specialist restorer in Pennsylvania.
- Date unknownPrevious owner who commissioned Kelsch coachworkpartial documentation
Car was converted early in its life by French coachbuilder Kelsch into a Spider Sport-style body; restoration was completed during this ownership period.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2008ServiceD.L. George Historic Motorcars
Ongoing fastidious maintenance performed from the time of acquisition by a specialist in historic motorcars.
Workshop located in Cochranville, Pennsylvania.
- —ModificationKelsch
Coachbuilder Kelsch converted the original standard sedan body to a Spider Sport-style open body closely replicating the Ghia/Fiat 508S design, including flared wings and a recessed passenger seat.
Work is believed to have been carried out very early in the car's life. French-market details were added including amber headlamps and Jaeger instrumentation.
- —Modification
The original side-valve engine was replaced with a later CS-type overhead-valve unit and a four-speed synchromesh gearbox from approximately 1935 onward; the replacement engine was restamped to correspond with the number on the original chassis tag.
Engine and gearbox are described as circa 1935 series components.
- —Restoration
A complete restoration was carried out during a prior ownership, resulting in the presentable condition in which the car is currently offered.
Restoration predates the Oscar Davis Collection's acquisition in 2008.
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