1959 Fiat 500

The Nuova 500 was introduced in 1957 as a replacement for FIAT's much-loved 500 'Topolino.' Equipped with unitary construction, the Nuova 500 was a radical departure from its predecessor's essentially pre-war design. It had an all-independent suspension and an opening fabric roof. The rear-positioned engine was a 479cc air-cooled unit with overhead-valve twin and backed by a four-speed gearbox.

The basic Fiat 500's austerity was not well received, inspiring a revised and better-equipped version equipped with amenities and refinements such as window-down windows, column-mounted switch gear stalks, hubcaps, and upholstered rear seat. The 500D, introduced in 1960, was equipped with a 499.5cc engine of the 500 Sport, albeit in de-tuned form. It was superseded in 1965 by the 500F using the 500D bodywork, incorporating a shortened sunroof and front-hinged doors. Mechanical improvements included a strengthened transmission and power rose to 22 bhp bringing the top speed to nearly 60 mph.

Introduced in 1968 alongside the standard 500F, the deluxe 500L ('L' for Lusso), was endowed with improved interior and exterior cosmetic enhancements. The mechanical details remained identical. Among the list of interior updates were a new instrument panel, seats, and floor covering.

The Fiat 500 proved enormously practical, enjoying strong sales throughout Europe. Along with the two-door coupe, available body styles included the 'Giardiniera' estate with a 3.9-inch longer wheelbase accomodating a more convenient rear seat, larger brakes from the Fiat 600, and a full-length sunroof. Abarth and Giannini produced sports models, and an Austrian variant, known as the Steyr-Puch 500, was built by Steyr-Daimler-Puch.

Production of the Fiat 500 lasted from 1957 through 1975 with over three million examples built. It was replaced by the Fiat 126 which had entered production two years earlier.

The Nuova 500, produced from 1957 through 1961, was equipped with a two-cylinder engine with a displacement size of 479cc and delivering 13 horsepower. It had a fabric roof and 'suicide doors.' During its production lifespan, 181,036 examples were built. The Nuova 500 Sport, produced from 1958 through 1960 used a 499.5cc version of the two-cylinder engine which brought horsepower to 21.2 hp. To distinguish it from its less-powerful sibling, the Nuova 500 Sport wore a two-tone livery of white with a red stripe. It had an all-metal rigid roof with three longitudinal grooves. The Nuova 500 Sport was replaced in 1960 by the 500 D.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2021