Fiat 500 F

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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'.

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 thanks to is engineering brilliance, cute looks and its staring roll in the Disney Pixar film Cars.

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.

Purchased by the vendor in Brescia in 2008, this gorgeous LHD example was in excellent rust-free condition having led a cossetted life in sunny Italy with just 43,379 kms (26,900 miles) under its cute little wheels. He entrusted it to Fiat specialists Carrozzeria Torino who undertook a EU5,500 renovation which included a high quality repaint in the original grey, a process which revealed just how sound the metalwork was, even the floors being in perfect condition.

The interior was freshened up with new bright red trim with correct rubber mats on the floor and a new folding roof. The engine was also thoroughly overhauled with new push-rod tube seals fitted as these are prone to leaking oil, the engine now being nice and oil tight and running just as it should.

Now with some 43,400km on the clock (27,000 miles) and sporting a fresh MOT, the car comes with its correct NOVA paperwork and is just waiting on the DVLA to issue its UK registration which should be with us by the time of the sale. This is certainly one of the nicest examples that we have ever seen, your scribe having a long history with the model having owned 17 examples over the years – you can’t have too much of a good thing! 

AMENDMENT:Please note that the vehicle is now UK registered NDB 285E as an Historic Vehicle. The car will not be fitted with UK number plates by the time of sale.