Fiat’s major attraction in this year’s Goodwood Speed of Festival, which begins tomorrow, will be the famous Mefistofele. The record-breaking classic, which is based on a 1908 Fiat SB4 Corsa, returns after a decade to Goodwood and will be displayed in the “Cathedral Paddock” area.
Mefistofele was a project by Sir Eldridge who wanted to make a record-breaking car. After purchasing an SB4 Corsa, Eldridge went on to lengthen the chassis using parts from a London bus (!) and add a modified 21.7-liter six-cylinder Fiat A12 aircraft engine with 4 carburetors that produced 320 HP at 1,800 rpm.
On July 12, 1924, the car, which got its name from the bangs and smoke it emitted, broke the world speed record at a speed at 234.980 km/h. Fiat’s owner, Gianni Agnielli, bought the car in 1964. After a lengthy restoration process, it is now in perfect working order and is a part of Fiat’s historical collection.
On another note, Fiat will also display at Goodwood the 500 by Gucci, a version of its city car customized both in the bodywork and the interior by Gucci creative director, Frida Giannini, along with Fiat’s own Style Centre.
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