Fiat 500 Giardiniera Estate

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Outstanding in its archetypal Italian Rosso Corse paintwork, D660 UGT is the ultimate practical classic: stylish, fun to drive, economical, capable of carrying four people and luggage, easy to maintain. It is, of course, a Fiat 500 Giardiniera.

It was built in 1967 and imported into the UK in 2004 and appears to have had a comprehensive re-build, although, sadly, there is no documentary evidence. The car was originally white, but records show that the colour was changed in 2012, which, presumably, was when it was restored.

The car is very smart inside and out and whoever rebuilt the car did a very thorough job. Paint colour aside, the car looks very much as it must have done when it left the factory, with the only non-original feature that we could spot being the inertia-reel rear seat-belts (front belts are also fitted). And if the white wall tyres are not strictly authentic, you can’t deny they do give the car an extra touch of panache.

The car is blessed with a full-length fold-back sunroof, sliding rear windows and fold-down rear seats. The latter feature coupled with the large rear door makes the car a very practical load-lugger, ideal for the small businessman, small family, or small-holder; the emphasis being on (yes, we get the picture, Ed).

The car is powered a by a laid-down version of the mighty 499cc 21 bhp air-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine more commonly found in its two-door sibling, which gives this bright red bolide a top speed of around 70mph in the hands of a truly determined driver – or any Italian. Fortunately, the Giardinera is fitted as standard with the larger brakes of the Fiat 600.

D660 UGT has only 66,457 (41,535 miles) kilometres showing on the speedo although there is no evidence to show that this is a genuine figure. The car’s last MOT expired in August 2017 (no advisories) and it would appear that the car has only covered 62 kilometres in the last six years.

D660 UGT is a very, very smart little thing and it would be hard to find a better example. Stylish, practical, economical, and easy to live with (which is something you cannot say of all Italian models…) this Giardinera is a cracker.

(Brightwells would like to point out that the V5C for this car indicates an engine capacity of 4,995cc, which – although we have not verified this – believe to be incorrect. A five-litre baby Fiat? Now that would be fun.)