This could be one of the lowest horsepower eBay finds we have ever showcased here at BangShift but then again when was the last time you saw a freaking stock, steel, complete 1938 Fiat Topolino. We can tell you when it was for us. Never. We have seen steel Topolino bodies from the cowl back but never one with the front clip on it, with the wheels on it, and with the factory engine in it. That factory engine was good for little more than single digit horsepower, but that is all that anyone needed to zip around Italy at that time we’re guessing.
Obviously the Fiat Topolino was a favorite with drag racers back in the day when they were often used as bodies on altereds and even on some competition coupes. Other than a “simulated” front grill shell we’ve never seen what an actual Topolino grill looked like. We didn’t expect it to be so much a part of the hood as it appears to be. That looks to have been stamped right into the nose of the hood when the rest of it was made. The seller here obviously knows that he has something pretty rare and something of value because he is asking $8,000.
If there are Fiat Topolino restorers out there, maybe this is your jam. If there are drag racers out there, save your money and just buy a ‘Glass body for your car. It would be amazingly cool to have a real Topolino body on your car but it ain’t worth it in our book. The car is absolutely miniscule, which you’d expect from a foreign car produced during the weird years just before WWII. Maybe ‘d drop a Hyabusa engine in it or perhaps a tiny EcoBoost mill. Someone needs to buy this and do something with it…stat!
Scroll down to see more photos and then hit the link for the ad!
eBay link: A complete and all steel 1938 Fiat Topolino
I know a guy in Italy that has a mint restored one. It was like Italys version of the VW bug before the 500.
there’s an old guy whose place I ride past going to my missus’ house – old italian fellah that I’ve talked to a few times – who has two topolino’s that he’s restored – both are a beige colour and look like they left the factory 5 minutes ago…every time I see them I think of the cool altered / gasser type drag cars they could become!
The engine looks like a bb starter. Lol. I’d be pretty sweet if you chop about 3″off the top and cosworth rally engine in it. Same paint and wheels
It’d* and put a cosworth engine in* Get it low enough to tuck the tires and this things got panty dropping potential
I didn’t realize how small these things actually are. I’ve only seen them as gassers. Makes you really appreciate the balls it took to ride one of these toys down the 1320 staring at the back of a blown hemi. Unbelievable.
Notify THIS guy.
http://www.complex.com/rides/2013/05/25-incredible-cars-from-jay-lenos-car-collection/1937-fiat-topolino
Whoa…. the engine was entirely ahead of the front axle? I never would have guessed.
A 13 horsepower Flathead mill.
(i went over to Jay Leno’s Garage and watched him drive around in it circa 2007)
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/fiat/1937-fiat-topolino/index.shtml#item=81548
The last time I saw a stock Topolino was back in 19never.
Tube chassis, 4 link rear, mustang 2 front, a quad-4 and a 5 speed under that beautiful, beautiful hood.
Jay Leno has one and drives it!