Fiat 500R

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A masterpiece of minimalist motoring, the Dante Giacosa-designed 'Nuova' 500 was launched in 1957 to replace the famous and much-loved 500 'Topolino'.

The characterful Fiat 500 was a symphony in steel that only a man with ice in his heart could not love. Cute, curvaceous, and willing the Fiat 500 was a greater symbol of Italian automotive engineering than all the Ferraris put together. With seating for two adults and a pair of bambinos it was a massive success and was alone responsible for getting Italy “back on the road” after the war.

The final edition was the 500R or Rinnovata model launched in 1971. Translating as “Renewed” it was sold alongside the new 126 model for its final two years, the last example being produced in 1976.  

The 500R example offered here was built at Fiat’s Termine Imerese plant in Sicily in 1975.  Fitted with the larger 594cc engine shared with the new 126 it also had a synchromesh gearbox.

Little is known of its early life but it was amongst a batch restored in Italy, and subsequently imported into the UK in 2016. During the restoration said to have been fitted with a brand new engine, and a fresh interior, and although there is no documentation to prove it, you can see in the photographs that everything looks fresh and new.

Bought by the Vendor in 2017 it was driven briefly, but he subsequently lost his rented garage, and the Fiat was put into storage. Driven occasionally to blow away the cobwebs it has covered a mere 440 miles since it was restored and imported. It had an MoT that expired in October 2018 and the Vendor has decided to sell whilst it’s still fresh and smart rather than let it languish in storage.

Overall the Fiat is in excellent condition, and started easily on the day of our visit. The interior is very smart trimmed in red vinyl with grey carpets and red floormats. The exterior has a good shine, in metallic silver with good chrome and trim. The underside appears to be solid. 

If you are after a 500 then perhaps this is it -you’ll struggle to find a nicer one!