This weeks retro-ish car is the original Fiat 500
The original car with the number Cinquecento on the back!
First of I'd like to say that no, Fiat 500 Twitter, this is not for you. This is for the ladies and gents of all ages fond of the original 500, the cheeky little Italian car that was loved by many.
There was actually a 500 before this one in 1949, but that isn't the one we're talking about either. We are jogging your memories or informing you of the Fiat 500 that was made from 1957 to 1975.
The Fiat 500 would redefine the meaning of a 'city car' for this car was only around 3m long and height wise was very short too. The car had a fabric roof that folded back and only had two doors due to it's short length. The car also didn't weigh much either at 500kg, but when you've only got 13 hp to get the wheels to go faster then it doesn't matter how light the car is. It wouldn't fly off the line but that did not matter one iota as the car was meant for ease of use and strong economy, which it achieved at the time.
Don't think about trying to open the bonnet if you think there is a problem with the engine, because it's in the back! This is another feature of the original 500 that is so widely recognized, the actual engine was a two cylinder 500cc (Funnily enough).
181,036 of these Fiat 500s were produced during it's production run. Not far from where I live they do an Italian car festival every year and there are many of these 500s there. As they leave it's a bit like a scene from the Italian job seeing all these Fiat 500s leaving sound their high pitched horns with the sun roofs folded back. They are just cheeky, fun easy to love little Italian masterpieces.
In the market for one?
The cheapest original 500 I've found was £6995 for a relatively well kept example and the most expensive I've found was £20,000. Keep in mind some of these were made after 1965 but i would still class them as classic Fiat 500s personally.
Got one or got a story about one? Let us know in the comments!
Also stay tuned as we will be doing an article on modern 500 special versions that Fiat 500 Twitter can drool over.
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Comments (8)
If you think the old Fiat 2 cylinder is interesting, (I don't remember where I read it but...) the Moto Guzzi V twin was a possibility.
Moto Guzzi developed an engine for a small car, and then it didn't happen. They had the new engine, they built motorcycles, so they designed a new motorcycle for the engine.
Such a pretty car. I saw many of these in Italy!
Must be floods of them over there! Was it a good trip?
Tonnes! Lots of old rusty ones too, which was sad to see. It was amazing thanks.
This, a Beetle, or an original MINI. I'd be happy with one of them.
Or maybe a 2CV.
2CV is a very good shout. 😀
Not something I particularly care to own, but certainly something that makes you smile when you see one. I definitely see the appeal for true urban use.
Definitely they just look like happy little cars. 😂