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:''"500" can also refer to the later Fiat Cinquecento or to the Fiat Nuova 500''
The 'Fiat 500' (the "cinquecento" [chink-way-chen-toe] from the Italian word for "500") is a car produced by the Fiat company of Italy between 1957 and 1975 (the Fiat 500 K alone was produced until 1977) and from 2007 on. It was designed by Dante Giacosa.
Launched as the ''Nuova 500'', it was marketed as a cheap and practical town car to combat high levels of congestion in Italian cities. Measuring only 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in) long, and originally powered by a tiny 479 cc two-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the 500 redefined the term "small car" and is considered one of the first city cars.

Contents

History

Models

2007 model

Bibliography

Trivia

See also

External links

History

To meet the demands of the post-war market which called for economy cars, the Fiat 500 was rear-engined on the pattern of the Volkswagen Beetle. Several car makers followed this now nearly vanished pattern at the time and were quite successful. But only the Fiat 500 was used as the pattern for other car makers in Europe. The firms Neckar of Germany and Steyr-Puch in Austria each made cars that were legally based on the Fiat 500.
Despite its diminutive size, the 500 proved to be an enormously practical and popular vehicle throughout Europe. Besides the two-door coupé, it was also available as the "Giardiniera" station wagon; this variant featured the standard engine laid on its side, the wheelbase lengthened by 10 cm (4 in) which yielded a usable rear seat, a full-length sunroof, and larger brakes from the Fiat 600.
Production of the 500 ended in 1975, although its replacement, the Fiat 126, was launched two years earlier. The 126 was never as popular as its predecessor in Italy, but was (and still is) enormously popular in the former Eastern Bloc countries, where it is famed for mechanical durability and economy.

Models

There were six main models of Fiat 500 produced by Fiat themselves:
'Nuova' - (1957-1960)

The original 500, the Nuova has a smaller engine than all newer models, at 479 cc and producing just 13 bhp. The original model also features a roof folding all the way back to the rear of the vehicle, like that of a Citroën 2CV rather than the later roof design which only folds half way back along the roof. The Nuova is one of three models featuring "suicide doors". There is also a stylish Sport version of the Nuova, which features a distinctive red stripe and a more powerful engine, bored out to 499.5 cc from the original 479 cc engine and with a longer stroke, thus producing an impressive 21 bhp from the same original block.


'D' - (1960-1969)

Replacing the original Nuova in 1960, the D looks very similar to the Nuova, but there are two key differences. One is the engine size (the D features an uprated 499 cc engine producing 17 bhp as standard - this engine is used right through until the end of the L in 1973) and the other is the roof (the D roof does not fold back as far as the roof on the Nuova). The D also features "suicide doors".
'K' or ''Giardiniera'' - (1960-1977)

The longest running model, this is the estate version of the Fiat 500. The engine is laid under the floor of the boot to create a flat loading surface. The roof on this model also stretches all the way to the rear, not stopping above the driver and front passenger as it does in other models of the same period. Very useful if you need to carry a "tall" load! The K also features "suicide doors" and is the only model to continue to sport this door type in to the 1970s.
'F' or ''Berlina'' - (1965-1972)

The F spans two periods of 500 production, the D and the L. As such, it is the most frequently misidentified model. Between 1965 and 1969 the F carried the same badging as the D and the two models are only distinguishable by their doors - the D has "suicide doors" and the F does not. Between 1969 and 1972 the F was sold alongside the ''Lusso'' model as a cheaper "base model" alternative. While the F and L are mechanically very similar, the key differences are the bumpers (the L has an extra chrome nudge bar) and the interior (the F interior is nearly identical to the original 1957 design while the L sports a much more modern look).
'L' or ''Lusso'' - (1968-1972)

The penultimate model, the main change for the L is 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 the new generation.
'R' or ''Rinnovata'' - (1972-1975)

The last incarnation of the Fiat 500, the R, was arguably the best model. It had a larger 594 cc engine, giving it a much more sensible power rating of 23 bhp, and contrary to many translations of the FIAT literature, came with a non-synchromesh "crash-box" transmission. This transmission was retained from the earlier 'F' model, unlike the floor-pan which was from either the 'L', or later, the new 126. It was also more comfortable and more simply trimmed and equipped than ever - no gas gauge, just a low fuel warning lamp. Sadly, it was also merely a stop-gap for Fiat prior to the launch of the Fiat 126, and when the new 126 was launched sales of the old Fiat 500 R naturally plummeted. It plodded along for another two years beside the Fiat 126 but in the end Fiat made the only sensible choice - to retire the Fiat 500 R once and for all.

1973 variant

1971 FIAT 500L, Vicenza, Italy

2007 model

Main articles: Fiat Nuova 500


Fiat previewed the all new 500 in March 2007 exactly 50 years after the first Fiat 500 was presented.
The design of the new 2007 Fiat 500 is based on the 2004 Fiat Trepiuno concept. This car will feature a distinctive retro-look just like the Volkswagen New Beetle and BMW MINI but may well be substantially cheaper than those cars, with a starting price of €10500. The car is 3.55 meters long and 1.65 meters wide. Top speed is 180 km/h. The basic price is 10500 euro in Italy; with options 15000 euro.
Fiat will share the underpinnings of the new 500 with Ford for the next Ford Ka. Production takes place in Fiat facilities in Poland, and is currently scheduled for mid 2007 with commercial debut in September of 2007.
The all-new 500 received critical acclaim from many magazines. British-magazine Car called the new Fiat "irresistible".

Bibliography

★ ''Abarth 595 695'', by Elvio Deganello and Renato Donati, pub. by Giorgio Nada, 2002 ISBN 8879112872

★ ''Album Fiat 500'', di J.J. by Galkowsky, pub. by EPA Edition ISBN 285120470X

★ ''Autopassion Hors Serie'', pub. by Auto collection n. 22

★ ''Fiat & Abarth 500-600'', by Malcolm Bobbit, pub. by Veloce Publishing Plc ISBN 1-903706-69-6

★ ''Fiat 500'', by Elvio Deganello, pub. by Giorgio Nada, 2002 ISBN 88-7911-069-1

★ ''Fiat 500'', by Alessandro Sannia, pub. by Motorbuch, 2007, ISBN 9783613028258

★ ''Fiat 500 - az apró, mégis óriási legenda'', by Alessandro Sannia, pub. by Alexandra, 2006, ISBN 9633695554

★ ''Fiat 500 - de kleine grote mythe'', by Alessandro Sannia, pub. by Rebo, 2006, ISBN 9036618754

★ ''Fiat 500 fuoriserie'', by Alessandro Sannia, pub. by All Media, 2003

★ ''Fiat 500 (genio di un'epoca)'', by Ugo Castagnotto and Anna Maria Quarona, pub. by Lindau, 1992 ISBN 8871800397

★ ''Fiat 500 - guida al restauro'', by Marcello Lo Vetere and Italo Grossi, pub. by Giorgio Nada, 2003 ISBN 8879112090

★ ''Fiat 500 Gold Portfolio 1936-1972'', by R.M. Clarke, pub. by Brooklands ISBN 1855202468

★ ''Fiat 500: la Guida - the Guide'', by Alessandro Sannia, pub. by All Media, 2003

★ ''Fiat 500 - l'evoluzione del mito'', by Alessandro Sannia, pub. by Gribaudo, 2007, ISBN 9788879063852

★ ''Fiat 500 - piccolo grande mito'', by Alessandro Sannia, pub. by Gribaudo, 2005, ISBN 8879060201

★ ''I miei 40 anni alla Fiat'', by Dante Giacosa

★ ''Il grande libro delle giardinette Fiat'', by Alessandro Sannia, pub. by Giorgio Nada, 2007, ISBN 9788879114011

★ ''Io Franco Giannini vi racconto'', by Franco Giannini

★ ''La 500'', by Romano Strizioli, pub. by Bacchetta

★ ''La Fiat 500 - Storia di un mito'', by Stefano Parenti, pub. by Polo Books ISBN 88-87577-26-9

★ ''La Fiat Nuova 500'', by Enzo Altorio, pub. by Automitica, 2005 ISBN 8886304005

★ ''La Fiat 500 de mon père'', by Lauvrey - Le Fay, pub. by E.T.A.I. 1998 ISBN 2726881785

★ ''Le Giannini'', by Enzo Altorio, pub. by Automitica

★ ''Progetti alla Fiat prima del computer'', by Dante Giacosa, pub. by Automobilia ISBN 88-85880-00-2

★ ''Revue Technique Automobile 500, D, F, L'', pub. by ì E.T.A.I.

★ ''Schrader Motor Chronik Fiat 500 600 1936'', pub. by Schrader Verlag, 1969 ISBN 3922617263

Trivia

★ On May 2007 a 1969 Fiat 500 ("Bambino" in Australia) driven by Lang Kidby and his wife Bev started their Fiat 500 World Expedition from Australia. Driving from Vladivostok through Russia they arrived in Garlenda, Italy in time for the car's 50th anniversary celebration. Shipping from Belgium the car set out from New York to travel all the way to Anchorage, Alaska before returning to Australia - 32,000 road kilometers in just 99 days.It is believed to be the smallest car to complete a world circumnavigation.

★ On April 18, 2005 a 1973 Fiat 500 linked Bari, Italy, to Beijing, China, in a 16,000 km journey across the whole of Russia and passing through Vladivostok. Driven for 100 days by Danilo Elia and Fabrizio Bonserio, the old and tiny car was followed along its journey by newspapers and television from all over the world. After the long journey Elia wrote a book entitled ''La bizzarra impresa'' (ISBN 88-7480-088-6) ("The bizarre exploit"), now available only in Italian and German (''Echt Abgefahren'', National Geographic Deutschland, 2007, ISBN 978-3-89405-834-0). On April - June 2007, the same car driven by Danilo Elia run around the Mediterranean sea for more than 10.000 km, being the first Fiat 500 to reach the Sahara dunes.

★ The Fiat 500 was used by Lupin III, the protagonist of the ''Lupin the 3rd'' series and movies.

★ A side character on the Disney/Pixar film ''Cars'' is a 1959 Fiat 500 named Luigi, voiced by Tony Shalhoub.

★ It is also crowned as the sexiest car in the world by the British ''Top Gear'' magazine.

★ Rockstar Games paid homage to the Fiat 500 in their game 'Grand Theft Auto: London 1969', a mission pack for the popular first Grand Theft Auto game. Although badged as a 'Fat' (instead of 'Fiat'), it is clear that it is supposed to resemble the Fiat 500.

★ The song ''500'' by Lush (on the album "Lovelife") is a lovesong written to a Fiat 500. This song was also released as singles/EPs as ''500 (Shake Baby Shake)'' with a red Fiat 500 on the CD artwork and starring in the music video.

★ The famous Michael Caine movie, ''The Italian Job'', was due to feature the Fiat 500, but the Mini burst on to the scene just in time.

★ This car appears in the Sega arcade game ''OutRunners'' under the name Quick Reactor, and it is an orange car.

★ This car appears in the video game, Gran Turismo 2 and Gran Turismo 4.

★ Jean Reno drives a Fiat 500 in the film Le Grand Bleu.

★ The nickname Fiat Bambina was coined by New Zealand business man Rob Elliot.

★ On the T.V series Everybody Loves Raymond, when the family tours around Italy, they all travel around Rome in a dark blue 1960-1969 Fiat 500

See also

★ Fiat Topolino (the "original" Fiat 500)

★ Bianchina (based on the 500)

★ Fiat 126 (replacement for the Fiat 500)

★ Fiat Cinquecento (a modern Fiat 500)

★ Fiat Nuova 500 (the future retro-style 500)

External links

★ http://www.clubfiat500.com

★ http://www.trawell.com/500

★ http://www.next-horizon.org

★ 500 Wants You

★ 500 Wants You Presentation Video

★ Fiat 500 History -Gizmohighway Auto Guide

★ The long journey to Beijing