Fiat 500 Technical Data

Fiat 500 PRODUCTION

Nuova 500 - 1957-1960
500 D - 1960-1965
500 F/L 1965-1972
500 R - 1972-1975
500 Giardiniera - 1960-1977

BRIEF HISTORY

The Fiat 500 nuova  was introduced in July 1957. The successor for the Topolino, the 500 Nuova  used a layout a bit like that seen on the Fiat 600 with rear mounted engine driving the rear wheels and independent suspension on all four wheels. It was the first for the mighty Fiat to introduce the air-cooling of the engine, a 2 cylinder 479cc engiene  with 13bhp. This was coupled to a four speed manual gearbox with a floor-mounted shift. With initial sales much slower that Fiat had expected, later in 1957 they introduced two versions: "Economica" and the "Normale" both with the same engine giving 15bhp. The "Economica" was effectively the same as the original version apart from the more powerful engine, but most importantly the reduced price. Whilst the "Normale" had the revised engine plus various other small changes.
The following year, 1958 saw the introduction of the "Sport". After finishing first, second, third and fourth in class at Hockenheim 12 hour race, Fiat began sales of the car. It was fitted with a development of the original engine which, enlarged to 499.5cc and with a revised camshaft, valves, cylinder head and fueling, managed to produce 21.5bhp. As well as a red stripe down each side of the small car, it also had the common slid roof, unlike the normal and I like to say more "common" canvas roll back items. It was introduced to the Sport in 1959.
The next major version to be released was the "Giardiniera" (Gardening Tool box).Introduced in the 1960, this was an estate version, with a stretched wheelbase and horizontally mounted engine. The strange shape was ideal for a large family and those farmers with the extra space for the odd chicken or two later in the year the 500D came. This brought the 499.5cc engine into general usage with a power output of 17.5bhp. A few other details were also made.
The production of the 500D lasted until 1965 when it was taken over by the 500F, the main changes were the adoption of front-hinged doors and a revised transmission. In 1968 the 500F was joined in production by the 500L, which had revised internal and external trim and details, most noticeable the rear and front tulbar. The final version released was in 1972. The 500R used the new 594cc engine from the Fiat 126, with a reduced output of 18bhp, adopted the new Fiat logo and other small minor changes. It continued in production until 1975 by which time a total over 3,685,000 examples of the 500 had been produced. Although these fantastic cars with a big personality have stopped being produced there are many still around. From total restorations to the uncle in Italy who still has that chicken in Fiat 500 will always be around, even more than before.

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