DIXON'S FIAT EXCHANGE - PERTH

by A. John Parker

(By kind permission of the author and of Restored Cars magazine, where it first appeared in the issue of July - August 1996.)

Jim and Marion Dixon took over the Sydney Atkinson building at the corner of Murray and Pier Streets in Perth in 1932 running Perth’s sole Fiat agency. Today the same corner building hosts Miss Maude’s Family Restaurant.

In 1935 Australian Fiat owners had the choice of the 508 Ballila 10hp, 4 cylinder, 17 inch disc wheels, the 518 4 cylinder, 17 inch by 5.25 tyres and 527 Six of 19.3hp.

In 1936 the offerings were the 508 Ballila, 4 cylinder, the 1500 6 cylinder, 15.7hp ohv engine with 16 inch disc wheels and the 20hp Ardita 6 cylinder with recessed pull out door handles and headlights set into the front mudguards.

The 500 became available in 1937 with 6.7hp, 80 3/4 inch wheel base and distinctive louvres added to the tops of the bonnet panels plus independent transverse front suspension.

The 508 Ballila was upgraded to 11.4 hp and the 1500 was equipped with coil type front springs and disc wheels. In 1938 all 500’s were coupes.

Working as an apprentice with Bolton Body Works in Perth, was the Dixon’s son, young Jim. He says, " I was an apprentice at Bolton’s in 1937. That was when they first started building the tourers there. "

The next year’s model had a cutaway door. The body was much the same otherwise. At the same time Italy became involved in the hostilities of WWII the Dixons were advised of a shipment of Fiats waiting at the wharf at Genoa in Italy.

However, anticipated German U-boat activity in the Mediterranean suggested that the shipment would never reach Australia and so, importing agents, Kemsleys of London, were advised to cancel the shipment leaving Dixons short of new Fiats to sell.

"The front panels forward of the windscreen of the tourer bodies came from Italy as did the wheels, hubcaps, window glass, bumpers, radiators, etc. We built wooden frames at Bolton‘s and then covered them with our own metal panels, " said Jim Dixon.

"The panels on the side were all straight work and were wrapped over the timber, " he continued. "We built the part you vintage car people call the tub. The only bodies that came from Italy were the sedans coming over as complete bodies. They came CKD like a big Lego kit and were assembled at Bolton‘s. All Bolton‘s did was make the wooden frames. "

"The wiring looms were made and the upholstery was done here in Perth. The tyres were all supplied by local people. Campbell and Mannix were also body builders and built up a few steel saloon bodies after Bolton‘s. "

Fiat exported from its works at Lingotto in Turin. "Once in Perth, " says Marion, "the mechanical parts of the tourers were assembled by Dixon ‘s mechanic and then taken over to Bolton ‘s Body Works in Cambridge Street to have timber bodies made and then steel panels fitted. "

When asked what other activities went on at Bolton ‘s in the late 1930’s. "They built buses for the Scarborough Bus Service including those semi trailer ones you probably remember around Perth as a kid. There was also the Carlisle Bus Service. "

During the 1930’s there was a very active Fiat Car Club holding regular weekend events including longer trips to some of Perth’s closer country towns.

When asked about the performance of the little Fiats, Jim said, "Very good. They were quite a good little vehicle. They were priced at £195 including on road costs. "

The many Fiat models had stuck in Jim’s memory, "There was the 500, the 1100, which looked much the same, but it was an imported sedan. The 1500 was imported too. We never had any of the 2800 models. Most of the Fiat Club people had the 500, the one you call the Topolino, " concluded Jim.

As an after thought, "Someone else in Melbourne also built bodies like we did. I think it might have been the Ruskin or the Flood body people. "

"One such memorable picnic was to York in 1938, " recalls Marion Dixon, "with a lavish supper and entertainment at the Dixon ‘s house in Como, to mark the first year of operation of Dixon ‘s Motor Exchange and the sale of a substantial number of Fiats for the year. We also conducted a used car sales section as part of our Murray Street business, " Marion Dixon continued, "We had a Mr Sanderson and ‘Pa’ White ", being two of their salesmen at the time when she handled all the company’s accounts and record books. During that period she and husband, Jim (dec), commuted daily to their Como house on the south bank of the Swan River via the old timber causeway.

York, at about 100km east of Perth, is almost a time capsule recalling the 1830’s when it was first founded. The accompanying photos were taken at some of the various stages of the trip with about thirty Fiat 500’s taking part.

Marion Dixon also recalls some of the other motor houses in Perth in the 1930’s and 1940’s, Anderson and Adams sold Wi1Iys and Overlands, Sydney Atkinsons sold Chevrolet and Buick, Lynas Motors sold Fords, Mortlocks sold Standard and Triumph, Sewel! and Pool sold Chandler cars, Winterbottoms sold Austin’s and Skipper Baileys sold Dodge.

Because Italy’s entry in WWII was not made until May 1940, Fiat still manufactured as many as 11,236 cars in 1942. During these early war years Fiat produced the 500, the 1100 and the 1500 models and the new 2.8 litre six cylinder 2800.

In 1939, a new factory had been opened at Mirafiori, later carrying on the post war production as the Lingotto plant had been virtually destroyed in the hostilities.

Sadly, today the buildings used by these pre and post war Perth companies remain as lonely memorials to the business skills and hopes of the Perth owners. Fortunately some of the operators of these family owned companies remain with us having captured their treasured memories in photographs such
as these.

. A floti1la of Fiat Car Club cars and enthusiasts adorn the front of the Dixon Car Exchange

Fiat Club en route to York in 1939, taken in Ascot Road, Guildford, with Jim Dixon (senior) standing alongside. The car in front appears to be an 1100 pillarless body owned by Archie Marlin of retail electrical goods fame

Another group of Fiat 500s outside what was the Durward Hostel (this must have been one of the most magnificent examples of wrought iron work in Perth in its day).

A Dixon -assembled Fiat waits outside the Bolton Motor Works for bodywork. Notice the 1930 Model A Ford roadster behind. A Mr Brian Wood, who was an RAAF man, inspected the Fiat intending to buy it.

The following two photos were kindly supplied by Eddie Ford from Restored Cars magazine. They were not in the original article, but are included here for your interest.

And finally ...
... sadly, how you will find one today, if at all ...