24th May, 2006 0:00
Syon House
1969 Fiat 500 D
Estimated at £3,500 - £4,500
Lot details
Registration No: TAC581G
Chassis No: 110F/798987
Mot Expiry: April 2007
A masterpiece of minimalist motoring, the Dante Giacosa designed 'Nuova' 500 was launched in 1957 to replace the famous and much loved 500 'Topolino'. Not so much styled as designed around the mechanicals and space for 2 adults and 2 (very small!) children the tiny bulbous body gave the 500 huge character and was an instant success both at home and abroad. Powered by a miniscule twin-cylinder 499cc air cooled engine and with a four speed crash gearbox the 500 was not as basic as it seemed with all independent suspension, and in later years a heater, headlamp flasher and full length sunroof as standard when many much more expensive cars still listed these as options. Progressively refined, though never substantially altered throughout an 18 year production run which lasted until 1975, even an estate model called the Giardiniera was produced which was surprisingly spacious due to the fact that the rear mounted engine was laid on its side. The ultimate Fiat produced model (although of course Abarth, Steyr-Puch and several other independents produced some exciting hotshot 'rollerskates') was the L model launched in the UK in January 1969. Surprisingly luxurious for such a minimalist car the L was distinguished from the outside by a chrome front bumper extension whilst the interior featured reclining seats, revised dashboard layout and sports type steering wheel.
The 500L offered for sale today is very rare in being an original right hand drive UK car which is believed to have covered only 24,766 miles from new with plenty of history to support this claim. Finished in red with its original blue interior it has an MOT until April 2007 having been recently recommissioned following a storage period of 30 years. We are told that thousands was spent restoring the car, the whole car being dismantled, the body and suspension shotblasted, the floor sprayed with Schutz whilst on its side and then sprayed and reassembled. New parts are said to include floor, sills, front wings, door bottoms, sunroof and chromework whilst mechanically the car has been treated to new bearings, shock absorbers, exhaust, window rubbers and battery although the engine is original. Now described by the vendor as being in 'great' condition throughout with fully working electrics and 'original but good' interior this small piece of motoring history is ready to charm its way into the affections of a new owner.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle is a Fiat 500 D and not an L as stated in the catalogue.
Registration No: TAC581G
Chassis No: 110F/798987
Mot Expiry: April 2007
A masterpiece of minimalist motoring, the Dante Giacosa designed 'Nuova' 500 was launched in 1957 to replace the famous and much loved 500 'Topolino'. Not so much styled as designed around the mechanicals and space for 2 adults and 2 (very small!) children the tiny bulbous body gave the 500 huge character and was an instant success both at home and abroad. Powered by a miniscule twin-cylinder 499cc air cooled engine and with a four speed crash gearbox the 500 was not as basic as it seemed with all independent suspension, and in later years a heater, headlamp flasher and full length sunroof as standard when many much more expensive cars still listed these as options. Progressively refined, though never substantially altered throughout an 18 year production run which lasted until 1975, even an estate model called the Giardiniera was produced which was surprisingly spacious due to the fact that the rear mounted engine was laid on its side. The ultimate Fiat produced model (although of course Abarth, Steyr-Puch and several other independents produced some exciting hotshot 'rollerskates') was the L model launched in the UK in January 1969. Surprisingly luxurious for such a minimalist car the L was distinguished from the outside by a chrome front bumper extension whilst the interior featured reclining seats, revised dashboard layout and sports type steering wheel.
The 500L offered for sale today is very rare in being an original right hand drive UK car which is believed to have covered only 24,766 miles from new with plenty of history to support this claim. Finished in red with its original blue interior it has an MOT until April 2007 having been recently recommissioned following a storage period of 30 years. We are told that thousands was spent restoring the car, the whole car being dismantled, the body and suspension shotblasted, the floor sprayed with Schutz whilst on its side and then sprayed and reassembled. New parts are said to include floor, sills, front wings, door bottoms, sunroof and chromework whilst mechanically the car has been treated to new bearings, shock absorbers, exhaust, window rubbers and battery although the engine is original. Now described by the vendor as being in 'great' condition throughout with fully working electrics and 'original but good' interior this small piece of motoring history is ready to charm its way into the affections of a new owner.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle is a Fiat 500 D and not an L as stated in the catalogue.
Auction: Syon House, 24th May, 2006
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