The original Fiat 500 is one of those irresistible cars that wrote their names in automotive history with golden letters.
Harry Metcalfe, among other things founder of the British Evo magazine and known car collector, introduces us to his own 1971 Fiat 500L, the smallest member of his tasteful collection.
The 500L represented the top of the range and can be distinguished by details like the extra brightwork on the body, the extensions on the bumpers, the padded dashboard, carpets and a fuel gauge.
Many people think of it as the Italian Mini but the truth is that the original Cinquecento hit the market earlier than the British icon and it was considerable cheaper to buy as well. Fiat was targeting customers that were riding scooters at the time, offering them the best of both worlds.
Powered by an air-cooled twin-cylinder 0.5-litre engine with just 17hp, the tiny Fiat 500 demanded patience from its driver on the motorway, unlike what happened when driving on a narrow back road or within the city walls where the small Italian was overflowing with charisma.
Check Metcalfe’s video to get a good impression of what it feels like driving one today and come join me in the classifieds after you’re done.