1948 Fiat 500 Topolino

Coupe

Fiat, formed in 1899, grew to be one of the largest car builders in the world. Although the Italian company is best known for its small cars and sport coupes, it has actually designed and built more products than General Motors.

The Topolino (Italian for 'little mouse') was built from 1936 to 1955 as models 500, 500B and 500C. The 500B was built in 1948 and 1949, with 21,200 produced. Approximately 1,000 Topolino's were imported to the United States, and about half of them were 500B's. They were powered by a 569cc (36 cubic-inch) 4-cylinder overhead valve engine producing 16 horsepower. It was advertised as capable of 60 miles per hour and 60 miles per gallon. The original selling price was just over $500.

The car displayed here was acquired by the current owners fifty years ago, in 1957. The restoration project was put on the back burner while parts were acquired and fabricated, but the ground-up restoration began in earnest in 1992 and was completed nine painstaking years later. The entire project was a family affair, with sons and daughters fully involved. This little piece of Italy, now painted Ferrari red, is enjoyed daily.

Coupe

Fiat (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) was founded in Turin, Italy in 1899. Giovanni Agnelli was one of the original share-holders and his family is still involved in running the company. Topolinos were produced from 1936 to 1966 with production continuing through World War II. The 'B' Model was produced in 1948 & 1949. Total Topolino production was 420,207. Topolino in Italian means 'Little Mouse.'

The Topolino engine is a 567cc, water-cooled, overhead valve, 4-cylinder that develops 16.5 horsepower.

Coupe
Chassis number: 500B 134881
Engine number: 131699

Fiat produced the Topolino from 1937 to 1955 with more than 500,000 made. When it was introduced it was one of the smallest cars in the world. The two-passenger coupe was powered by a 569cc four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed gearbox. Officially called '500', it was soon given the nickname Topolino, literally 'little mouse.' The engine featured two-main bearings and offered 13 horsepower. In the front were transverse leaf spring independent suspension while the rear had a transverse leaf spring setup. Fuel supply was by gravity from a firewall-mounted tank.

When introduced, Fiat entered a team of 32 examples in the Mille Miglia, with the fastest example averaging nearly 50 mph. The popularity of the Topolino helped push Fiat production to a new record in 1937, with nearly 84,000 examples built by the time Italy entered World War II.

Over the production lifespan of the Topolino, very few changes were made. In 1938, the car was given semi-elliptic rear suspension and four-seat cabriolets were added the following year. In 1948 came a new model, the 500B, with overhead valves.

This particular example is finished in light grey with red painted wheels and a brown interior. It wears an older restoration and came to the United States in 1985 when it was imported from Italy by then owner Alberto Pedretti.

The current owner acquired the car in the late 1990s.

by Dan Vaughan

Between 1937 and 1955, Fiat built over 500,000 examples of the Topolino. At the time of its introduction, the Topolino was among the smallest cars in the world. The two-passenger coupe was powered by a 569cc four-cylinder, side-valve, water-cooled, two-main-bearing engine that offered 13 horsepower. It had a four-speed gearbox, transverse leaf spring independent front suspension with rear sprung quarter elliptics with torque arms. Fuel supply was by gravity from a firewall-mounted tank. The radiator was positioned behind the engine, which offered a lower aerodynamic nose profile than most of its competition, which often had a flat, vertical grill.

They were initially called the '500' but soon took the nickname 'Topolino' which literally meant 'little mouse.' During its production lifespan, only few changes were made. In 1938, the rear suspension was exchanged for a semi-elliptic rear setup. A four-seat cabriolet was added to the lineup the following year. By the time Italy entered World War II, a total of 84,000 examples had been built.

Launched in 1937 by Dante Giacosa, three models were produced until 1955. In 1948, Fiat introduced a new model called the 500B, with overhead valves. It had a similar appearance to the car it replaced, with changes made to the suspension, electrical system, and brakes. The Model B Cabriolet was produced for just one year, from 1948 to 1949.

by Dan Vaughan

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 Torino, began in 1899 and was 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 three 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 Dan Vaughan