Fiat 500

A masterpiece of minimalist motoring, the Dante Giacosa designed 'Nuova' 500 was launched in 1957 to replace the famous and much loved 500 'Topolino'. Making our own Mini look positively bloated, its tiny bulbous body nevertheless had room for two adults and two bambini and gave the 500 huge character. Powered by a miniscule twin-cylinder 499cc air cooled engine with a four speed crash gearbox, the car was an instant success both at home and abroad. It retains a cult following today with famous owners including none other than F1 legend, Michael Schumacher.

Fundamentally unaltered throughout its 18-year production life, the 500 was fantastic value for money with all independent suspension, a heater and full length sunroof as standard when many much more expensive cars still listed these as options. A surprisingly spacious estate version was also available called the Giardiniera. Production finally ceased in 1975 to make way for the new and infinitely less characterful Fiat 126.

This 1970 left-hand drive 500 spent most of its life in Italy before being imported to the UK a few years ago. Last MOTd and on the road in December 2007, it was then driven into storage and has not been used since. Still said to be in good running order, it would now benefit from some slight attention to the bodywork. It comes with a V5C registration document, the aforementioned old MOT and various documents relating to its earlier ownership in Italy. Capable of 60mph, over 50mpg and taking up no more road-space than a motorbike and sidecar, it is perhaps the perfect car for credit crunch Britain.