Fiat might have not be have invented the mini car segment, but it definitely put its mark on it with the original 500.
Introduced in 1957, the classic 500, which serves as a proud ancestor to the modern one, was marketed as a cheap and practical town car, measuring just 3 meters (~118 in) in length and powered by a 479 cc, two-cylinder, air-cooled engine.
Thanks to its appealing design and practicality, it quickly captured the hearts and minds of the European audience, and it went through a few changes up until 1975, when production came to a stop.
Pictured here is a 1970-made example, which wears adds the ‘L’ (Lusso) suffix, meaning that it’s the penultimate model, and it came with a modernized interior and a revised dashboard. Moreover, the car also welcomed a few extra horses to its stable after its engine was upgraded to 499 cc.
Finished in a Mustard Yellow, applied over a black vinyl interior, the car spent most of its life in Italy, but has been registered this year in the UK, and it’s said to be in a “generally good condition, starting readily, and running well”.
The vendor doesn’t give any more details, except for the fact that it has the correct Pirelli tires, spare wheel, and that it’s accompanied by the original registration documents, but it’s still worth taking a look at it, if you happen to be at the NEC, Birmingham, on November 12, for SilverstoneAuctions‘ Classic Motor Show Sale. It’s also good to know that this classic Fiat 500 is offered at no reserve.
PHOTO GALLERY
