The original Fiat 500 is a scarce sighting, even in Italy. What's it like to encounter one?
Most people would tend to agree that Italy is quite an enchanting country. It has a variety of different landscapes that enthral you. The Mediterranean coastline made up of Rivera and beaches to soak up the relaxed vibes. It also has mountain ranges like the Alps and Dolomites, a natural habitat for winter sports. And if you have the sense of adventure, there are some hot springs and volcanoes to discover and explore. This natural beauty makes Italy a captivating country to visit.
This intrigue reflects in the culture of the Italian people, which is an amalgamation of heritage and tradition, and has had an influential impact across the world. It can trace its roots back to the Ancient Roman Empire, and beyond. Historic landmarks from this period have survived the test of time and are located in cities across the nation. The colour and grandeur of contemporary architecture creates an impression too.
The same can be said for Italian fashion. Home to a number of household brands (too many to mention here), stylish dress sense is taken seriously. That goes for the food as well. From pasta to Pizza and ice cream, there is something to satisfy everyone’s tastes, even for a vegan like me. And when you add the often-pleasant weather into the picture, those aspects put together make for an enticing proposition that’s hard not to like.
For car fanatics like me, the Italian automotive industry fits nicely into that alluring equation. Ferrari tends to resonate deeply with people, they have something mythical about them. Lamborghini have always been flamboyant, but Volkswagen has made them a serious player. Pagani are the most extravagant, and turn cars into artwork. Maserati make good models though can lack refinement. Alfa Romeo have always exuded style but have been known to overlook substance. Lancia are still operational too, somehow.
"There aren’t many original Fiat 500s left knocking about Sorrento. They’re an endangered species"
Each brand shares collective traits, but they have individual identities. They are the sort of cars you would more typically choose with your heart, not your head. The Italian car industry has always been vogue. Fiat have perhaps not always lived up to that repuatation however, although no car has ever been so fashionable as the 500. The small city car has always had a distinctive sense of style, and is usually universally liked.
Italy is blessed with many positive attributes that make it a unique country, and a popular destination for holidaymakers, like me. On a recent vacation to Sorrento, a coastal town in southwest Italy that overlooks the bay of Naples, I got my first ever insight. You can sense the change in culture from the moment you arrive. Italian people tend to openly express passions and emotions more honestly, which somewhat alters the dynamics of interaction, for better or worse.
Walking through Sorrento is a rather lovely recreational activity. The vibrance of the buildings and the vibe of the atmosphere make for quite a pleasant experience. There are the busier streets full of hustle and bustle, but venture off the beaten track, and you come in touch with authentic Sorrento. The cobbled streets and traditional architecture feel like you are walking back in time. Look hard enough, and you can come across something that is often hidden in plain sight.
There aren’t many original Fiat 500s left knocking about Sorrento. They’re an endangered species, even in Italy. But when you do recognise one, it catches your attention, and you take notice. I was fortunate enough to see three on my walks, and it’s one of the most delightful and uplifting things you can experience. The original Fiat 500 in Sorrento is an iconic sight to behold, and that scarce encounter focuses your mind.
In the postwar era throughout Europe, a selection of economy cars was launched for the mass market. These were small and lightweight, cheap to produce and purchase. The pioneer that set the ball rolling was Volkswagen with the original Beetle, and that appeared to influence Fiat in the research and development process for the original 500. Launched in 1957, the first original model called the Nuova 500 featured a rear engine layout, like the Beetle. Although it was an uncommon configuration, the foundations were quite successful.
The Nuova 500 came available in a number of body styles. There was the more popular two-door coupé with the semi-convertible option, or the less common Giardiniera estate car and van version. Of course, the original 500 is famous for being small, but what surprised me in Sorrento was quite how small it actually is. The dimensions highlight how it was one of the first purpose-built city cars ever made, measuring at 2.97 metres long. This made the original 500 maneuverable in tight spaces, ideal for threading through narrow Italian streets.
I can see why it appealed. It was made practical and affordable and that meant it sold well in Europe during the 18 years it was produced by Fiat. It had suicide doors and could feature a fabric roof. The Nuova 500 had a 500cc nominal two-cylinder engine – hence the name – which produced only 13bhp. Yeah, performance wasn’t its strong point. There was though a sportier model that launched in 1958 producing 21bhp which meaning it could do a top speed over 65mph.
Fiat sold 181,036 examples of the Nuova 500 in three years. It was replaced in 1960 by the 500 D. The exterior design was similar, any changes were subtle. There’s not much visual difference between the first and second generations that can be discerned. However, there are modifications that were made to the engine. The updated engine had an uprated power output to the tune of 17bhp. This unit would go on to feature in subsequent versions until the 500 Berlina.
"It’s quite remarkable to think that the original 500 captures the imagination so long after Fiat stopped making it"
The two-door coupé body style is synonymous with what people imagine when you think of the original Fiat 500, but it wasn’t the longest running example in the range. That accolade belongs to the estate version called the 500 Giardiniera. Its lifespan stretched 8 years and in that time 327,000 examples were produced. The engine was positioned underneath the floor in the boot to create loading bay space. In terms of practicality, it was biggest 500 model you could purchase. Although it definitely lacked the enticing qualities of the classic coupé body styles it became famous for.
As the Fiat 500 transitioned from one generation to the next, elements of its design evolved. The 500 Berlina model between 1965 and 1973 was the first to have conventional front-hinged doors, replacing the suicide doors that had featured since its inception. Otherwise, the traditional blueprint stayed the same. There was a more premium model though that had a more contemporary design for the time called the 500 Lusso. It was produced between 1967 and 1972 and was made more desirable with better interior and exterior details.
The last ever original 500 that Fiat launched was the Rinnovata model that started in 1971 and ended in 1976. Much of the technical underpinnings were the same as previous models, there were only minor differences. This was because the Rinnovata was a sort of stop-gap before the Fiat launched the replacement for the original 500. The 126 model though didn’t have the same allure.
However, Fiat did make a special 500 that was rare. It was called the Abarth 695 SS. Only 1000 models were made, and just 150 examples are thought to now remain. There was nothing quite like it when it was produced between 1964 and 1971. Abarth collaborated with Fiat and implemented component upgrades to improve performance. The overhead valve, exhaust pipe and valve springs were updated and specifically designed pistons and camshaft were installed.
The partnership yielded some amazing results. To cut a long story short, it was a pocket rocket. The engine displacement increased to 689cc, so the unit now produced 37bhp. That meant the 695 SS had an 85mph top speed, which for the time was fast. Although the exterior design was fundamentally similar to an original 500, it had small differences that distinguished it. There was no revolutionary departure, just subtle signs to look out for. The most obvious was the flared wheel arches and ability to adjust the engine cover for better stability and cooling.
Spotting an original Fiat 500 in Sorrento in 2023 is an infrequent occurrence. It’s not a sight you often see anymore, they're few and far between nowadays. When you do come across one though, you can’t help but appreciate it for a moment. The simplicity and elegance of the design pull on your heartstrings and make you smile with happiness. They are such playful cars that are full of fun. There’s just something endearing, and you can’t help but have a soft spot for them.
It must be said that only when you see such an iconic Italian car in this setting do you realise and understand its appeal. It’s quite remarkable to think that the original 500 captures the imagination so long after Fiat stopped making it. The legacy lives on when Fiat relaunched the 500 back in 2007. They have done a good job capturing the retro cool spirit of the original from my perspective. It can’t replace the original 500 though. That car in the Sorrento setting really is picture postcard perfect.
Photos: Callum Alexander
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