THE CAR

Offered is this adorable 500D build in early February 1964 at the Mirafiori factory. The cinquecento was subsequently exported to New Zealand as one of the few right-hand drive export built models. Being an early 60s model its specified with the identical UK specification to include Imperial speedometer. It more recently has resided unregistered in a large car collection in Auckland for the past 20 years. In 2016 it was acquired by a new owner who subsequently had the vehicle re-registered in Tauranga on 7th February 2017 with the number plate I1L and brought it back into New Zealand road compliance. This process involved some remedial work to the suspension, brakes and drivetrain. The vehicle has benefited from a host of improvements to drivability. Firstly fitted with a 499cc F engine from 69/ 70 for added drivability, along with a synchromesh gearbox and replacement sills.

The vehicle has fantastically solid original floors and it structurally excellent having resided its life in a favourable climate. The coachwork has been repainted in the past, unfortunately to a poor standard, and currently presents in White, and the factory paint code is believe to be 233 Bianco (White).

The Interior has been reupholstered in recent years in mushroom vinyl, and has more recently received a new fitted carpet.

The speedometer reads around 52, 000 miles which can’t be substantiated however is likely accurate given the nature of these vehicles being substantially underpowered for anything more than town driving.

The sale includes a certificate of origin from FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N. V that substantiates its correct chassis number, age and specification.

HISTORY OF THE FIAT 500

Known initially as ‘The Cinquecento’ was introduced by Fiat Company in July 1957, and produced under this guise until 1975.

Designed by Dante Giacosa, the Cinquecento was marketed as a cheap, functional and economical town car for post-war Italy. Small size, huge appeal. The original Cinquencento measured just over 9 feet long, and was powered by a 479cc two-cylinder engine, and was considered one of the first ‘city cars’. Despite its small size, the Cinquencento proved to be very popular, and almost four million were produced from launch to 1975.