1939 Fiat 500 Topolino

Mass transportation has consistently embodied practicality, affordability, reliability, and minimalism. Considered 'people's cars,' these economical, mass-produced vehicles were often scaled-down versions of contemporary big cars. Prime examples that followed this Puritan spirit included the America's Ford's Model T, Great Britain's Austin 7, Germany's Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle, France's Citroën 2CV, and Italy's Fiat 500. These cultural icons played significant roles in the modernization of their respective nations, reflecting the personality of the citizens of the time and putting wheels under the masses.

When engineer Dante Giacosa was given the impossible task of building a favorable means of transportation that was economical and exciting, he created both a radical and conservative solution. His specifications for the minimum amount of space required for two (Italian) people, their luggage, and the machinery to propel it down the road at over 50 mph was a rectangular dimension of 6 1/2 feet long by 3 1/2 feet wide. Two compact bucket seats were installed at the center of the vehicle, situated within a short wheelbase that took up less space than a typical modern bathtub, providing optimal comfort and enhanced safety. The engine was situated low in the chassis, ahead of the front wheel centers, with a one-and-a-half gallon radiator mounted behind it. With luggage in the rear, the small car had a sporting 50/50 weight distribution.

The mechanical specifications were advanced for its era and for such an inexpensive car, with an independent suspension setup with a low-mounted 'A' frame, transverse leaf spring and double-acting telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers, a 12-volt electrical system, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, and a four-speed synchromesh gearbox with an 8/41 ratio.

Introduced in 1937, the Fiat 500 remained in production until 1955 when it was replaced by the rear-engine 500. The little car, equipped with a 569cc four-cylinder engine, soon received the nickname Topolino, literally meaning 'Little Mouse', for its ear-like headlamps on the front wings. Approximately 520,000 examples were built, an impressive figure considering it was one of the smallest cars in the world at the time of its production.

Three versions of the Fiat 500 Topolino were built:
- the Model A (1937 to 1948)
- the Model B (1948 to 1949)
- and the Model C (1949 to 1955)

The 569cc four-cylinder, side-valve, water-cooled engine initially produced 13 horsepower. Its output increased to 16 horsepower with the Model B. Both the Model and Model B shared the same body styles: a 2-door saloon, a 2-door convertible saloon with a folding rood, and a 2-door van. Additionally, the Model B added a 3-door estate known as the 500 B Giardiniera (meaning 'estate car'). The Model C used the same engine and body styles as the Model B, but with updated styling.

The Giardiniera was renamed the Belvedere in 1952.

Dimensions
The Topolino rested atop a 78.7-inch wheelbase and had a length of 126.6 inches (the saloon measured 127.8 inches), a width of 50.2 inches, and stood 54.2 inches tall.

Despite the small footprint, the Topolino offered adequate cabin and luggage space, capable of transporting small families through Italy's mountain roads at speeds in excess of 50 mph. Modified Topolinos were entered in the famous Mille Miglia as early as 1937, where its responsive handling and good brakes were demonstrated on the grueling 1,000 mile circuit.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2025