The Story of a Legend: the FIAT 500

Who doesn’t know the legendary “500”?

Its origins take us back to the “Topolino” designed by engineer Dante Giacosa, a car that, produced in 1936, was an immediate success. It was manufactured until 1956. Only in 1957 was the Nuova 500 born. It remained in production until 1975 with over 3 million units produced.
The legendary “cinquino” was during these years the witness to crucial years in Italy’s transformation into a modern industrial country. In its 18 years of production, it truly traversed an era. When the first model left the Mirafiori plant, the first episodes of Carosello were beginning; when it was retired, the VHS video recording format came into use. The debut years were the years of the conquest of space, just as the 500 witnessed the conquest of mobility in Italy.
As often happens with all legends, the debut was understated. The reasons can be attributed both to the price (it cost 490,000 lire), considered rather high when compared to the slightly higher price of the 600, and to the somewhat “spartan” characteristics of the first models. It must be considered that in those years there was one car per family and it had to offer space for everything. It was with the passing years, with new versions and more accessible prices, that the “500” phenomenon exploded. These were the years of the economic boom (the ’60s and ’70s). Small, not very beautiful, poorly finished, and with a “weak” engine. Yet it became a true icon, a lifelong companion, a true training ground for two or three generations of Italians, the only alternative to the scooter at first and the third or fourth family car later.

The Debut

Do you remember when the Nuova 500 debuted on the market?
It was the summer of 1957. Spartan equipment, only 2 seats and a rear bench. It was 1.33 m high, 1.32 m wide, 2.97 m long, and with a displacement of 479 cc. The vehicle could accommodate 2 people. As mentioned, it met with little favor from the public. Fiat, therefore, took corrective action and presented 2 new modified versions: the 500 “Normale” and the 500 “Economica.” Both, despite the name that would suggest the exact opposite, offered greater content, accommodated 4 people thanks to a “real” and certified rear seat that was also upholstered.

The Sport and Sunroof Versions (1958-1960)

To further differentiate and strengthen the 500 range, Fiat offered the Sport Version in mid-1958. The vehicle initially had a fixed roof and was characterized externally by a red stripe below the roof and, in some cases, also by two-tone body paint. However, it returned to 2 seats. In 1959, the Sunroof version of the Sport also arrived.

500 Giardiniera (1960-1977)

In May 1960, the Station Wagon version arrived: the Giardiniera. The Mirafiori technicians increased the length by 10 cm and the capacity returned to 4 people.

500 D (1960-65)

In the autumn of 1960, the 500 was offered in the new D series. The displacement was increased to 499.5 cc. The speed was 95 km/h and the average consumption was 4.8 liters/100 km. The capacity returned to 4 people. A folding rear backrest was also adopted.

500 F (1965-1972)

It debuted in March 1965 and in 1968 was joined in the lineup by the 500 “Lusso” and was characterized for the first time by front-hinged doors that were safer and finally eliminated the unsightly exposed hinges.

500 L (1965-1972)

The mission of this version, launched in September 1968 and different from the F model only in internal and external aesthetics, was to meet the demand from customers who wanted a more complete, more distinctive, and more luxurious vehicle. These were motorists willing to spend 525,000 lire, approximately 100,000 lire more than the 500 F.

500 R (1972-1975)

This is the last version of the model, which was subsequently replaced by the 126. It was precisely during this phase that sales declined, as many new buyers preferred the 126, which certainly did not have and never will have the undisputed charm of the legendary “500.”

There are still many people around the world who love and collect it. Even today, over 30 years after production ended, they can still be seen on the roads, and estimates suggest that as many as 600,000 old Fiat 500s are still in circulation, testifying to the fact that the “500” was and still is “the most beloved of Italians.”