Show all images

Fiat 501 Torpedo — 1925

The Centenarian of Gotland. This car celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. It was sold new on Gotland in 1925 and still remains on the island. Over the years, it has carried both farmers and royalty.

Mathias Casserlund
Besiktningsman
Send message
Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
Send message

"The first owner of the car was born in the 19th century. The transition from horse-drawn carriages to being able to purchase an automobile in 1925 is hard for us modern people to comprehend.

The Fiat is exempt from inspection requirements, so after a general check and startup, it is approved for road use. However, remember to drive carefully — this car lacks all forms of modern safety equipment. When turning, there are no indicators, so you’ll need to signal with hand and arm movements, just as drivers did in 1925."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
30 OKT 13:50
23 000SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
18825
STÅNGA / GOTLAND
ESTIMATED VALUE
RESERVE PRICE
75 - 85 000 SEK
Not reached
PLACE YOUR BID (MINIMUM 24 000 SEK)
Non deductable VAT
SEK
Auction fee: 5% or min. 2900 SEK (incl VAT)
BID HISTORY
24982
28 OKT 00:38
23 000 SEK
5129
27 OKT 17:01
22 000 SEK
24208
27 OKT 16:19
21 000 SEK
17601
27 OKT 11:07
20 000 SEK
24208
27 OKT 10:17
19 000 SEK
LOGIN TO PLACE BIDS
You need an account and be logged in to place bids.
Tip and share
Mathias Casserlund
Inspector
Send message
Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
Send message

"The first owner of the car was born in the 19th century. The transition from horse-drawn carriages to being able to purchase an automobile in 1925 is hard for us modern people to comprehend.

The Fiat is exempt from inspection requirements, so after a general check and startup, it is approved for road use. However, remember to drive carefully — this car lacks all forms of modern safety equipment. When turning, there are no indicators, so you’ll need to signal with hand and arm movements, just as drivers did in 1925."

Description

This vehicle was purchased new in 1925 by a landowner named Höggren, residing in Maldes Stånga on Gotland. We can conclude that Mr. Höggren was a man of means, as relatively few private individuals could afford to buy a car a hundred years ago.

According to local history, the car was used to transport high dignitaries during King Gustav V’s visit to Gotland on July 28, 1925. This is a particularly unique body style — the car has only three doors. Where the fourth door would normally be, at the driver’s position, a spare wheel is mounted instead.

In 1940, the car was sold to Mr. Jacobsson in Stånga, who used it as a daily driver until the early 1960s. The next record shows that the car was acquired in 1988 by Staffan Bergvall, a well-known entrepreneur who ran property and car rental businesses. He was also a car enthusiast and owned several collector vehicles. This Fiat was used sparingly, mostly for leisure outings such as student celebrations and weddings.

In 2015, Staffan passed away, and since then the car has mostly been stored in a garage. The heirs have now decided to sell the vehicle, hoping it will find a new owner who has the time and passion to care for it. The odometer shows 40,000 km, but we cannot confirm the actual mileage or whether the reading is accurate — after all, the car is a hundred years old.

This is a remote auction. The photos and information about the car and its technical condition have been provided by the owner. BWA has not inspected the car in person.

Technical data

  • Year
    1925 
  • Registration date
     
  • Mileage
    4 000 mil 
  • Registration Number
    DFJ736 
  • Chassis Number
     
  • Kw / hp
         / 25 
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
    Leather 
  • Colour
    Green 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    Equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder side-valve engine producing an estimated 23 horsepower. The gearbox is a four-speed manual, which was unusual at the time, as most car brands offered only three gears. The car features mechanical drum brakes, with braking action only on the rear wheels.

    The vehicle has not been used for several years. In the summer of 2025, a new starter battery was installed. The engine turns over with the starter motor but does not start. The car will require a startup service and general inspection before being put back into use.

  • Interior condition:

    The leather seat upholstery shows signs of age, with visible wear and dryness. The door panels are trimmed in a combination of leather and fabric. There is a rubber mat in the driver’s area and a textile carpet in the rear seating area. The fabric portions of the interior show older damage, possibly caused by moths. The interior appears to be in original condition and could well be the factory upholstery, although this cannot be confirmed with certainty.

  • Exterior condition:

    The car’s exterior is patinated but full of charm. We believe it has an older repaint, possibly carried out in the 1970s. The soft top is in very worn condition and may possibly be the original. The tires have good tread, appear to be of the correct type, and were likely replaced in the 1970s. The left rear tire does not hold air and will need attention.

  • General condition:

    You can truly feel the sweep of history here — a car that has lived and been used on Gotland since 1925. A charming 1920s machine that deserves to be brought out and enjoyed again. There are a few items that need attention before it can be put back on the road. Please study the photos carefully to assess the condition.

Facts about the model

The Fiat 501 was produced between 1919 and 1926.
It was Fiat’s first model to be introduced after World War I. From 1921, the sport versions S and SS were added to the lineup, featuring slightly more powerful engines. A total of 47,600 units of all 501 variants were built.

Here’s a film from 1925, showing King Gustav V’s visit to Gotland:

Watch the film here on YouTube

Location and viewing Information

Location: Stånga / Gotland

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Mathias Casserlund

mathias.casserlund@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2025-11-13.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
  • Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
  • If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
  • If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
  • Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
  • For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.

Thank you for following our auctions!

We will send you an email when bidding starts.


STÄNG

Tack för visat intresse, du kommer nu få nyheter och information om kommande auktioner.

STÄNG