Footnotes

FIAT's first post-WWI six-cylinder car, the Tipo 510 was also the Italian manufacturer's largest model at the time of its introduction in 1919. The 510's 3,446cc sidevalve engine was carried in a chassis of 3,400mm wheelbase equipped with a four-speed gearbox and (initially) rear-wheel brakes only. There were brakes on all four wheels before production ceased in 1925, by which time the original rounded radiator had been replaced with a more angular one. Twelve months after the 510's introduction, the 510S sports version appeared boasting an engine of identical capacity but with raised compression ratio, which increased the maximum output from 46 to 53bhp, good enough for a top speed of around 96km/h (60mph).

One of the last of its type built, this FIAT 510 was sold new to one Grove Jacobsen, an importer/exporter in Copenhagen, Denmark on the 20th February 1926 (see original documents on file). Mr Jacobsen employed a chauffeur to drive the FIAT, which reputedly was never taken out in the rain. In 1961 Mr Jacobsen sold the FIAT to a car collector, who had to sign papers undertaking he would never sell it to a Mr Rasmussen!

According to an accompanying history written by Mrs Bill Hagman, her husband bought the car from the collector in 1963, and he also had to sign papers saying he would never sell to Mr Rasmussen. Mr Hagman rented a garage and spent many hours there working on the FIAT. When the Hagmans returned to the USA from Denmark in 1965, the car was shipped back with them. It was kept in the Hagmans' garage, started several times a year and always firing straight away. Bill Hagman said the engine always sounded like a sewing machine, nice and smooth.

It was a big day for the Hagmans when Bill obtained a license for the FIAT, which had been off the road for many years, and drove it out of the garage. Family members and friends were taken for rides and everyone had a wonderful time. After that, the FIAT was taken out at least once a year for a short tour; Mrs Hagman states that in 36 years of ownership, it travelled only some 30 miles. Bill Hagman lavished many hours of tender loving care on the car, which was always a source of pride and joy to him.

In December 2001, the FIAT was purchased from Dragone Classic Motorcars, California by the current owner. Got running for the sale, the car is offered with an original handbook.