Fiat 500 Giardiniera Estate

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FIAT's Nuova 500 was launched in 1957 and in the spring of 1960, the Giardiniera (gardener) estate car was added to the range.  Built on a 100mm longer wheelbase than the saloon, the Giardiniera featured a single side-hinged rear door and carried its 499cc engine horizontally beneath the rear load platform, thus increasing available luggage space, especially once the rear seats were folded flat.

Testing a Giardiniera in 1961, Autocar magazine was very impressed by FIAT's new wagon: “The Italians match their affinity with micro-motoring to a happy flair for making little cars really well, and within the limitations of its body dimensions and engine power the Giardiniera is a real masterpiece”.

The miniature station wagon was capable of carrying four adults with luggage while returning impressive fuel economy, albeit quite sedately!  It was only ever offered with suicide doors which it retained until production ceased in 1977.

This lovely 1971 Giardiniera came to the UK from Italy in 2012; little is known of its previous Continental life but upon arrival it was treated to a comprehensive, no expense spared restoration. One invoice in the history folder from November 2012 is for £17,720.76 (ouch!) which included a complete body makeover and repaint and over £6,000 in various parts. The folder also includes further invoices for more than £2000 in parts from Riacambio of Wallington. Also included are Autobianchi Handbooks (who took over manufacture for Fiat in 1966), Haynes and Autobooks repair manuals.

It was purchased by the Vendor in 2017 who has had lots of fun adding a further 2200 to the 83,575 kms total. With regular maintenance, the last being in February 2019 which was fluids and filters, it is in excellent overall condition. The interior is immaculate, with two tone red and white vinyl seats complete with seatbelts front and rear. On the outside the white paint, trim and chrome parts all shine nicely.

Now being reluctantly offered for sale due to a change in circumstances we think you would struggle to find Giardiniera that has had more spent on it! Whether you are looking for a promotional vehicle, an investment or a practical runabout then this lovely Fiat is surely worth far more than the Estimate…