Description
Replacement for FIAT’s much-loved 500 ‘Topolino’, the Nuova 500 debuted in 1957. A radical departure from its predecessor’s essentially pre-war design, FIAT’s new baby featured unitary construction, a full-length opening fabric roof and all-independent suspension while carrying its engine at the rear.
The 479cc power unit was an air-cooled overhead-valve twin, the first such used by FIAT, and the gearbox a four-speeder. The basic 500’s austerity was not well received, prompting the introduction of a revised and better equipped version endowed with refinements such as wind-down windows, upholstered rear seat, column-mounted switchgear stalks and hub caps for the wheels. Introduced in 1960, the 500D used the 499.5cc engine of the 500 Sport in de-tuned form, but nevertheless brought with it a small gain in horsepower.
The penultimate model is the “Lusso” or L, the main change for the L is a much modernized interior (including a renewed dashboard) which brought the Fiat 500 up to date.
This Fiat 500 in lovely “Giallo Positano” colour is in good overall condition and is sold today with its Italian papers.
