Fiat 509

The Fiat 509 was a model of car produced by the Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat between 1925 and 1929 as a replacement for the Fiat 501. Approximately 90,000 of the model were sold. It was fitted with a 990 cc overhead cam engine, and in 1926 the car was upgraded to the 509A. For 1928 the 509 was also offered with standard insurance. In addition to the standard car there were 509S and 509SM sports models, as well as taxi and commercial versions. The Fiat 508 Balilla effectively replaced it, although 509 production had ceased in 1929, three years before the Balilla was launched. A yellow and black Fiat 509 is the car of the Belgian comic character Gaston Lagaffe and is the centre of many gags throughout the series, which has given this early small Fiat a lasting place in popular culture well beyond its production years.