Lot 054: Fiat 500

A masterpiece of minimalist motoring, the Dante Giacosa designed 'Nuova' 500 was launched in 1957 to replace the famous and much loved 500 'Topolino' (an example of which features elsewhere in this sale). Making our own Mini look positively bloated, its tiny bulbous body nevertheless had room for two adults and two bambini and gave the 500 huge character. Powered by a miniscule twin-cylinder 499cc air cooled engine with a four speed crash gearbox, the car was an instant success both at home and abroad. It retains a cult following today with famous owners including none other than ex-F1 legend, Michael Schumacher. Fundamentally unaltered throughout its 18-year production life, the 500 was fantastic value for money with all independent suspension, a heater and full length sunroof as standard when many much more expensive cars still listed these as options. A surprisingly spacious estate version was also available called the Giardiniera. Production finally ceased in 1975 to make way for the new and infinitely less characterful Fiat 126. This 1971 car spent most of its early life in Rome before moving to the Cote d'Azure, South of France, from where it was imported to the UK in 2003. It was restored about three years ago to a high standard and repainted in Ferrari yellow. Since then the car has been stored in a heated garage and will now need some recommissioning before it can be pressed back into use. We are told that it runs well, starts first time and does 50+mpg! It comes with a fair amount of Italian and French paperwork.