Who does not know the legendary “500”?
Its origins lead us to the “Topolino” designed by engineer Dante Giacosa, a car which, produced in 1936, was immediately a huge success. It was produced until 1956. The New 500 was born only in 1957 and remained in production until 1975 with over 3 million units produced.
The legendary “cinquino” was in recent years the witness of crucial years for the transformation of Italy into a modern industrial country. In its 18 years of production it really went through an era. When the first model came out of the Mirafiori factory, the first episodes of Carosello began, when he retired the Vhs video recording format came into use. The years of the debut are the years of the conquest of space as indeed with the 500 we witness the conquest of mobility in Italy.
As often happens with all myths, the debut was muted. The causes are attributable both to the price (it cost 490,000 lire) considered quite 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 the car was one for each family and had to offer space for everything. It was over the years with the new versions and more accessible prices that the “500” phenomenon exploded. Those were the years of the economic boom (60s and 70s). Small, not beautiful, not very finished and with a “weak” engine. Yet it has become a real diva, a lifelong companion, a real training ship for two or three generations of Italians, the only alternative to the scooter first and then the third or fourth family car.
The Debut
Do you remember when the Nuova 500 debuted on the market?
It was the summer of 1957. Spartan set-up, only 2 seats and a rear bench. It was 1.33m high, 1.32m wide, 2.97m long and with a 479cc displacement. The car could accommodate 2 people. As mentioned, he met with few favors from the public. Fiat therefore ran for cover and presented 2 new modified versions, the 500 “Normale” and the 500 “Economica”. Both, in spite of the name that would suggest the exact opposite, offered more contents, they came to accommodate 4 people thanks to a “real” and approved rear seat as well as padded.
The Sport and Sunroof versions (1958-1960)
To further differentiate and enhance the 500 range, Fiat offered the Sport version in mid-1958. The car initially had a rigid roof and was characterized on the outside by a red band below the roof and, in some cases, also by the two-tone paintwork on the body. It returned, however, to 2 places. The Sunroof version of the Sport also arrives in 1959.
500 Giardiniera (1960-1977)
In May 1960 the Station Wagon version arrived: the Giardiniera. Mirafiori technicians increased the length by 10 cm and the range 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 of 95 km / h and the average consumption of 4.8 liters / 100 km. The habitability returned to 4 people. The folding rear backrest was also adopted.
500 F (1965-1972)
It made its debut in March 1965 and in 1968 it will be joined in the list by the 500 “Lusso” and was characterized for the first time by the doors hinged on the front which were safer and which allowed the unsightly visible hinges to finally disappear.
500 L (1965-1972)
The mission of this version, born in September 1968 and different from the F model only in the internal and external aesthetics, was to satisfy the request of a clientele who wanted a more complete, more characterized and more luxurious car. These were motorists willing to spend 525,000 lire, about 100,000 lire more than the 500 F.
500 R (1972-1975)
It is the latest version of the model which was later replaced by the 126. However, it is precisely at this stage that sales declined, as many new buyers preferred the 126 which certainly did not have and will never have the undisputed charm of the legendary “500”.
There are still many in the world who love it and collect it. Even today, after more than 30 years from the exit of production, they are seen around and from the estimates there would be even 600,000 old Fiat 500s still in circulation, testifying to the fact that the “500” was and still is “the most loved of Italians “.