Lot 109: Fiat 500 D

Always a basic car, the Fiat 500 was in fact it so tinder-powered when launched in 1957 that even Italians gave it the cold shoulder. In comparison to rival countries' offerings, such as the Citroen 2CV and the Morris/Austin Mini that appeared just two years later, the 500 was out of date almost from the start. Most small cars could offer similar economy and just as much interior space while having that useful extra refinement for long journeys, but none of those rivals was quite as small as the Fiat. It was the ultimate town car, and its tiny dimensions and cheeky good looks soon won an enormous following among minimalist motorists around the world. Indeed, the Fiat 500 was a true successor to the Fiat Topolino which had been part of the Italian culture since 1936. The bubble-like shape of the 500 had already been pioneered by the Fiat 600 of 1955, a conventional small family saloon with a water-cooled, four cylinder engine. In contrast, the 500 was almost a micro car with its air-cooled vertical twin cylinder motor and seating for two adults and a number of children only. This 500, which h was produced in 1963, has remained in Italy all its life and is supplied with Italian registration documents and the original Florence registration plates (although these have to remain in Italy if the car is exported). With just one registered owner, and finished in red with a new interior in the correct brown vinyl, the car, a sought-after suicide door model, is described as being in excellent condition throughout. A wonderful example of this cheeky little car. Questa 500 è uscita dalla Fiat nel 1963 ed è rimasta in Italia per tutta la sua vita, è pertanto immatricolata in Italia e porta ancora le targhe nere originali di FI (nonostante queste debbano venire restituite se l'auto viene esportata). Con un unico proprietario e interni rifatti in vinile color marrone, l'auto ci viene descritta come in condizioni complessivamente eccellenti e dotata delle ricercate porte contro vento. Un magnifico esemplare di questa simpatica piccolina.