Fiat 521C Sgranatrice

This 1930 Fiat 521C is a one-off curiosity: a luxury car converted into an Italian agricultural machine. The 521 was Fiat's upmarket model for wealthier families making long journeys on poor roads, with a sturdier chassis, high ground clearance and a large six-cylinder engine. The C denotes Corto, the short wheelbase. This example was fitted with a corn sheller by Carra Brothers of Suzzara, with the machine driven by a leather belt from the flywheel. The dealer says it is the only such conversion on a 521C known to exist; others were built on smaller cars such as the 503.

The car was restored by its late owner, an engineer and enthusiast, covering the chassis, body and the sheller itself. The patent numbers, plaques and government stamps identifying it as an agricultural machine are all still present.

It has stood unused for several years in the owner's collection in Padova, Italy. The battery was disconnected, the carburettor covered and the exhaust capped, and the dealer says light recommissioning is needed before it returns to the road. It is registered for road use in Italy and EU taxes are paid. The page gives the price in euros (€55,000) and quotes no mileage.