Rare FIAT 500 Topolino Woody to be Auctioned During Spring Carlisle

CARLISLE, Pa. - April 5, 2014 - PRLog -- Carlisle Events re-introduced the Carlisle Auctions brand late in 2013 with an event in Zephyrhills, Florida.  Now, with Spring Carlisle on the horizon in 2014, Carlisle Auctions makes its Pennsylvania debut with a two-day offering on April 24-25 at the Carlisle Expo Center in America’s Automotive Hometown, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  The auction itself takes place in conjunction with Spring Carlisle which is a five-day collector car swap meet and car corral.  The entire automotive happening spans April 23-27 and the auction, swap meet and car corral take place within two blocks of each other in central Pennsylvania.

With over 300+ cars slated to cross the block, some will be unique.  To date, one such rare ride is a FIAT Woody, or FIAT 500c Topolino Giardiniera Carrozzerie Speciali to be precise.  This style of car was mass produced by Italian automaker FIAT between 1936 and 1955.  Representative of FIAT’s post WWII return to automotive production, this particular Woody Wagon is rare to see in any condition.  Many collectors own restored versions of this car, but the one coming to Carlisle is even rarer as it’s an original Barn Find.

Step back and breathe in the automotive history with this gem.  This 1949 classic has just 15,224 miles on it.  Upon its discovery, the utmost care has been given to keep all original aspects of the car intact.  This FIAT is completely un-restored and still has its original wooden panels and original rag top sunroof.

Known as the Little Mouse (Topolino is Italian for Little Mouse), this particular car’s known history domestically dates back to 1963 when it was purchased by an enthusiast in Connecticut.  Not long after, it moved to a region of Pennsylvania Dutch Country near Reading with the owner and his family.  Once within the Keystone State, it ended up as stationary fixture within the family’s belongings in a barn.  Now and again the mounds of hay would be dusted off and the cover pulled back as kids within the family would take imaginary journeys behind the wheel.  Now uncovered for good and ready to take its next real-life adventure, this ride becomes available as a spotlight car at 7 p.m. on the first day (4/24) of the two-day auction.

Spring Carlisle is one of four auctions presented by Carlisle Auctions, and since the return of the brand, interest has been at sky high levels.  Carlisle Auctions offers something new and unique to the auction business, a program known as FREE UNLESS SOLD.  This program means that as cars are consigned, they are done so without obligation from the owner.  If the car doesn’t sell, the owner gets all fees held on the front end, returned.  Because of this popular policy, Carlisle Auctions has easily secured a high number of quality cars for the event.

Though countless auctions are televised annually, there is no better way to see gems like the aforementioned Barn Find than live and in person with Carlisle Auctions.  Complete auction information, including photos of consignments, details on buying and selling and more can be found at www.CarlisleAuctions.com.