| Automobiles of Amelia Island Saturday, March 13, 2010 |
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| 1965 Fiat 500F Berlina | |||||||||
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Est. 18 hp, 499.5 cc air-cooled two-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with transverse leaf spring and wishbones, independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms and coil springs, four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 72.4" Fiat, long known for producing inexpensive, efficient cars, surprised the automotive community in 1957 with a 500 model that was even smaller than its predecessor, the Topolino. Designed by Dante Giacosa, the 500 Nuova or “Cinquecento,” much like the Volkswagen Beetle, featured an economical rear-engine design purpose-built for practicality. Initially introduced with a 479 cc two-cylinder engine that was later upgraded to 499.5 cc, the Cinquecento lived through various technical modifications over the course of its healthy 18-year production run, but styling remained essentially unchanged. The “F” variant was introduced in 1965 with several mechanical and body changes over its 500D predecessor. The most apparent differences included front-hinged doors, a slight increase in horsepower to 18 bhp, and the dash, which retained the original, more classic design that was modernized in later years. The heating system was up-rated and the driveshaft, clutch and differential were strengthened. While the 500F was sold until 1973, it was sold alongside the “Lusso” model in the latter part of its production cycle. The example presented here is a 500F equipped with the popular sunroof and requisite front-hinged doors. It was restored within the last four years and is beautifully finished in a lovely shade of blue with a tan interior, complete with the handsome original-style dash of the earlier 500s. The solid body and interior are both excellent, with good body alignment, original floors and new paint and interior. The car is reported to be mechanically sound and runs and drives well, equipped with the upgraded 18 horsepower motor mated to a four-speed manual transmission. In addition to retaining its original tools and jack, this car also comes with whitewall tires, a vintage luggage rack and wicker picnic basket – a lovely and very Cinquecento-appropriate touch! The Fiat 500, in its size and construction, remains a particularly practical driver. Regardless of its simplicity, however, it has always been a staple of Italian culture and big city living and, with the introduction of Fiat’s revived 500 for 2007, has solidified its position as a bona fide classic in its own right. |
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