1952 500  |
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1951 Fiat 500 news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Sedan Chassis Num: 297013 Engine Num: 497132 |
| Sold for $22,000 at 2006 Gooding & Company. | |||
This car was offered for sale at the 2006 Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, Ca. It was estimated to sell between $8,000-$12,000. There was no reserve placed on the vehicle. This car was among a crowd of about 75 other vehicles that ranged from modest history to some of the most unique and greatest cars ever constructed. It was one of the least expensive vehicles of the day with many of the cars on the opposite end of the spectrum selling in the millions. This car did make a mockery of the estimated value and nearly doubled what it was expected to fetch. The selling price for this vehicle was $22,000.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007
 |  | Sedan Chassis Num: 357015 |
| Sold for $11,700 at 2010 Bonhams. | ||
For 1948, the engine was modified with overhead valves and power grew by 3.5 horsepower in the 500B. Two years later, it was succeeded by a thoroughly revised 500C. The car would be the mainstay for Fiat production for the next six years.
The 500C had a re-designed nose and a more modern horizontal air intake system. The headlights were recessed into the front fenders. Other changes were made to the bumpers, dual taillights and a lighted center registration plate. A new integrated heating system was a first for the small but functional 500. It used heated air from behind the radiator and was fed through defroster/defogger outlets below the windshield.
The suspension was comprised of wishbones, a transverse leaf spring and telescopic shocks and a live rear axle suspended by semi-elliptic leaf springs, telescopic shocks and an anti-roll bar.
This Topolino was given a restoration in Italy in 1995. It was initially exported to Saudi Arabia, then brought to the U.S. in 2002, where it was stored but used sparingly until 2009 when it was re-commissioned with a new head gasket, valve job and mechanical and cosmetic freshening. It is painted green with red upholstery and interior trim.
In 2010, this 500C was offered for sale at the Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia auction presented by Bonhams. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $11,700 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010
 |  | Giardiniera Station Wagon Chassis Num: 500C-268428 Engine Num: 500B-272903 |
| Sold for $35,100 at 2010 Bonhams. Sold for $53,235 at 2010 Bonhams. | ||
The 500C would remain in production through 1954 and replaced by the all-new unitary 600. By the time production ceased, more than 375,000 examples of the 'C' model had been produced. There were 122,000 basic and 'B' models produced.
This example has been restored while retaining originality throughout.
In 2010 the car was offered for sale at the Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia presented by Bonhams. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $53,235 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010
The Fiat Topolino was produced from 1937 through 1955 with nearly 520,000 constructed. The name 'Topolino' was chosen in honor of Mickey Mouse - the name 'Topolino' means 'little mouse.'
The Fiat Company, Fabbrica italiana Automobili Torio, began in 1899 and formed by Giovanni Agnelli. Very early on, the company merged with Ceirano, a bicycle-maker who had switched to auto production. The first Fiat automobile was built by designer Aristide Faccioli and powered by a horizontal twin-cylinder engine that produced 3 horsepower. The company continued with modest success throughout the years. By the 1930s, the prosperity of the company had increased and entered into a whole new realm of popularity. A contest was arranged by Chairman Agnelli who challenged all to create a design for a new small car that could be a suitable rival for the Porsche 'People's Car.' Oreste Lardone, Fiat's chief designer, produced an example that was powered by an air-cooled engine. On its first test drive, the vehicle caught on fire. Agnelli had been onboard during the fire and upon exiting from the car, dismissed Lardone. Dante Giacosa was given the position and produced designs for what would become known as the Fiat 500.
There were three models produced during its production lifespan. All brought with them minor mechanical and cosmetic improvements over their predecessor. In 1955 the Fiat 500 was replaced by the rear-wheel drive Fiat 600 and became the basis for the next generation of the Fiat 500, the 500 Nuova.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe Fiat Company, Fabbrica italiana Automobili Torio, began in 1899 and formed by Giovanni Agnelli. Very early on, the company merged with Ceirano, a bicycle-maker who had switched to auto production. The first Fiat automobile was built by designer Aristide Faccioli and powered by a horizontal twin-cylinder engine that produced 3 horsepower. The company continued with modest success throughout the years. By the 1930s, the prosperity of the company had increased and entered into a whole new realm of popularity. A contest was arranged by Chairman Agnelli who challenged all to create a design for a new small car that could be a suitable rival for the Porsche 'People's Car.' Oreste Lardone, Fiat's chief designer, produced an example that was powered by an air-cooled engine. On its first test drive, the vehicle caught on fire. Agnelli had been onboard during the fire and upon exiting from the car, dismissed Lardone. Dante Giacosa was given the position and produced designs for what would become known as the Fiat 500.
There were three models produced during its production lifespan. All brought with them minor mechanical and cosmetic improvements over their predecessor. In 1955 the Fiat 500 was replaced by the rear-wheel drive Fiat 600 and became the basis for the next generation of the Fiat 500, the 500 Nuova.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007
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 | • Auctions America returns to Carlisle, Pennsylvania for its annual Spring Carlisle sale, April 25-26 • Two-day sale lifts the gavel on a diverse roster of approximately 300 quality collector cars • Notable highlights include a rare 1959 Chevrolet Corvette 'Big-Brake' Fuel-Injected Roadster, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS5 Convertible and a 1999 Bentley Azure Convertible • Sale held during Carlisle Events' highly anticipated Spring Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet & Corral weekend, April 24...[Read more...] |
| VICARI AUCTION COMPANY OFFERS RARE '62 & '63 Z06 CORVETTES AT 2013 CRUISIN' NOCONA | |
 | In a recent rare find, two classic Chevrolet Corvettes (one '62 and one '63) - stored for decades-are being made available by the Vicari Auction Company. Both vehicles will cross the block during 2013 Cruisin' Nocona, a north Texas collector car auction and classic car poker cruise set for April 19th and 20th in historic Nocona, Texas. The Corvettes are virtually all-original, and have been stored in Texas by a classic-vehicle aficionado and collector since the 1980s. 'These...[Read more...] |
| Barrett-Jackson Flavors Its January Scottsdale Auction With NASCAR Treats | |
 | • RACING HERITAGE, HIGH PERFORMANCE ARE RECIPES FOR CAR-COLLECTING FEAST • SPEED™ SET FOR 39 HOURS of LIVE COVERAGE STARTING JAN. 15 The great Henry Ford once said, 'Auto racing began five minutes after the second car was built.' And for more than 60 years, there are few entities that better represent auto racing in America than NASCAR. From the hallowed grounds of Daytona International Speedway, to Sonoma, California's intricate and picturesque road course, the sp...[Read more...] |
| TOPLINE COLLECTORS PLACE SPOTLIGHT on SPEED'S BARRETT-JACKSON BROADCAST FROM SCOTTSDALE | |
 | • TOPLINE COLLECTORS PLACE SPOTLIGHT on SPEED'S BARRETT-JACKSON BROADCAST FROM SCOTTSDALE • 'LOST' SHELBY DUAL PROTOTYPE, HAGERTY GIVEAWAY & SALON COLLECTION HIGHLIGHT 39 HOURS OF LIVE COVERAGE The 42nd annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale (Ariz.) Collector Car Event, the first of four set for live coverage in 2013, kicks off the auction season in grand style as some of the world's most sought-after machines cross the block starting Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. SP...[Read more...] |
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| 1952 500 |
