1972 Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 was produced by Fiat S.p.A (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) between 1957 and 1975 and was designed by Dante Giacosa. Despite its diminutive size, the '500' proved to be an enormously practical and popular vehicle throughout Europe and captured the hearts and minds of the public until production ended in 1975. Launched as the Nuova (new) 500 in July 1957 it was marketed as a cheap and practical town car. Measuring only 3 metres long, and originally powered by a 479 cc two-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the 500 redefined the term "small car" and is now considered to be one of the first 'city cars'. The 'L' or Lusso penultimate model, like the car offered here today, was produced between 1968 and 1972. It featured a much-modernised interior including a renewed dashboard which brought the Fiat 500 up to date. Greater comfort and style were provided in this new model for a new generation, and the engine benefitted from a power upgrade to 499cc.This charming little Fiat 500 is an original right-hand drive example that was found by our vendor in 2011 in a barn in North Somerset brush painted red. Over the coming months, the car was stripped, any areas of rust removed, new doors, wings, front inner and outer panels, sills, rear valance panel, and boot were fitted and the car was then painted in its original Giallo Tahiti factory colour.

It has been fitted with a revised 650cc engine which makes the difference between spritely and slow. The engine came from a very late Fiat 126 (year 2000) so benefits from a single point injection system and no distributor, points, condenser at all, improving reliability and drivability. It's also fitted with a sports exhaust and an Abarth sump otherwise it remains largely standard. The gearbox similarly is an uprated version from a Fiat 126 again to ensure the longevity of the car. The engine, we are told, was taken from a very low mileage Fiat 126 showing 16,500kms with supporting paperwork.

Later style, more comfortable, high back seats are fitted and the factory rear seats were recovered in blue/grey Connolly leather by Autotrim in Devon with a new black vinyl sunroof and blue side, dark blue carpet trims to match.

The car was lovingly used for a while before being put into storage but has now just reemerged and been recommissioned once again. This has included new brake lines, master cylinder, hoses, shoes and brake cylinders. A new battery has been fitted, fuel tank, 5 tyres, new starter (pull handle style retained), alternator, exhaust, LUK clutch kit, and cv boots. Since this work it has been awarded an advisory-free MoT until 3/8/2017.

When purchased, the car had very little paperwork, but there is a file containing invoices for most of the new parts fitted.

This charming little car is perfect for classic day to day driving. Not the car for a purist, and not Concours, but a very rare right-hand drive 500 that is very usable and sure to generate a 'smile per mile'.