FIAT HISTORY: Vol. 2
The Fiat 4HP - The car that started it all.
The story of FIAT's first automobile actually begins before FIAT was formed.
In 1888, 3 brothers, Giovanni, Ernesto, and Matteo Ceirano began building Wellseyes bicycles. Despite being Italian and manufacturing the bicycles in Italy, they chose a British name for their bicycles because, at that time, English bicycles were held in higher regard than Italian ones.
In October 1898, Giovanni cofounded Ceriano GB and C and began producing the Wellseyes motor car in 1899. In July 1899, Giovanni Agnelli helped found FIAT. They immediately bought Ceirano GB and C, including all their plans and patents.
Giovanni and Matteo began working for FIAT, albeit for less than a year with Giovanni and under 5 years for Matteo.
The original FIAT, the 4HP (also known as a the 3 1/2CV) was based on designs the Ceirano brothers had produced before FIAT existed. The 4HP had a 679cc 2 cylinder engine that produced 4.2HP and had a top speed of 22 mph. It had a 3 speed transmission but did not have a reverse gear. FIAT produced 8 copies the first year and ended up with 24 units being produced overall.
Amazingly, 4 of the cars still exist today. 2 are in Italy, on display at both the Automobile Museum of Turin and at the Centro Storico FIAT. Another resides at the National Motor Museum in the United Kingdom and the 4th is at the Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan in the US.
From these first 24 4 HP units, FIAT went on the become a manufacturing juggernaut, producing everything from cars, trucks, planes, tractors, and much more.
