Fiat : 500
Model Introduction
The Fiat 500, launched in 1957 and designed by Dante Giacosa, was Italy’s answer to affordable post-war mobility. Officially called the Nuova 500, it featured a tiny 479cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine mounted in the rear, wrapped in a cleverly packaged body that measured just over 2.9 metres long. Despite its size, it offered seating for four, a folding fabric roof, and running costs that suited Italy’s booming urban population. The 500 built on the success of the earlier Topolino but went even further in terms of mass appeal, becoming a cultural icon and a symbol of Italy’s economic recovery in the 1950s and 1960s.
Magazine Articles
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Giant Test
Reliant Regal Super v Fiat 500D 110F
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Giant Test : Horses for Italian courses
Fiat 850 v Fiat 500F v Fiat 600D v NSU Prinz
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Giant Test
Citroen Ami 8 v Fiat 500 v Honda 600 v Renault 6
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Rock bottom motoring
Citroen Dyane 4 v Renault R4 v Hillman Imp v Austin Mini v Fiat 500
