Sold 1954 Fiat 500c 2146358872 Tweet

Fiat is one of the oldest and most storied automakers in history. Over more than a century the Turin-based company built a vast and diverse portfolio that includes luxury cars racing machines aero engines people cars and heavy trucks. A long-time source of pride (and sometimes scourge) for Italians Fiat has long been regarded as Italys unofficial national car company. Aside from the occasional prestige car Fiat is best known for putting the people of Italy on wheels and catalyzing that nations love affair with driving. Throughout the 1920s and early 1930s Fiat experimented with a range of small-to-medium-sized family cars and it quickly became apparent that the affordable car market was far more lucrative. A series of smaller automobiles of varying degrees of success paved the way for Fiats most significant passenger car to date: The 500 or Cinquecento which debuted in 1936. The great designer Dante Giacosa is responsible for the original 500 which used a tiny 570cc 4-cylinder tucked far forward in the nose of the lightweight egg-shaped body. The separate headlights of the early models earned it the endearing nickname Topolino - Italian for little mouse.Despite a wheelbase of just 78.7 inches the Topolino makes efficient use of the space available. The engine mounts backward in the chassis with the radiator up against the cowl. A single carburetor feeds the engine via a cowl-mounted 6.1-gallon fuel tank and a four-speed gearbox helps make the best use of its 16 horsepower. The 500 could in theory reach a top speed of 59 mph - possibly on a downward slope in the Dolomite Mountains - although many examples competed in the hotly contested sub-750 cc class of the Mille Miglia through the years. Production body styles included the two-door Berlina a transformable semi-convertible with a large fabric sunroof the wood-bodied Giardinetta estate and the similar steel-bodied Belvedere estate which replaced the earlier wood version. Sales were impressive with production reaching nearly 150000 units from the cars introduction through the end of 1949. In 1950 the beloved Topolino received a facelift to become the 500C with new styling that featured integrated headlamps and a low horizontal grille. Buyers responded with glee in the post-war recovery era snapping up over 376000 examples of the little mouse through the end of production in 1955.This charming 1954 500C Belvedere estate is a wonderfully restored Topolino coming to us from long-term single-family ownership. According to the previous owner this car belonged to his mothers family in Italy and she fondly recalled riding around in it as a child. It benefits from a recent and extensive restoration done in Italy and presents in excellent condition finished in a lovely two-tone Verde Chiaro combination over a brown interior. Light green inset panels provide a pleasing contrast to the primary body color while the paint quality and detailing is to a standard rarely seen on a restored Topolino. The original brightwork and trim pieces are in good order with some light pitting evident on the chrome bumpers on close inspection.The Belvedere and its wagon sibling the Giardinetta offered a welcome dose of utility to the Topolino lineup. The respectably generous cargo area is accessed through the side-hinged rear door and the back seat folds for additional capacity. A pair of front bucket seats and the rear bench provide adequate room for a small family while the full-length fabric sunroof gives the cabin a more spacious feel. Sliding side windows eliminate the need for bulky regulators thereby freeing up additional shoulder space for passengers. The interior of this example features period-correct brown upholstery on the seats and door cards all in superb condition. Floor linings are fluted rubber mats as fitted by the factory and fittings such as the molded rubber shift knob and two-spoke steering wheel are factory-correct. Instrumentation is limited to a speedometer fuel gauge and temp gauge all sitting in the center of the simple painted steel dash panel.Driving a Topolino is pure joy providing youre not in any particular hurry. The little two-main-bearing four-cylinder is eager for its size and revs freely. This cars engine is tidy and clean showing some signs of use that are consistent with the age and quality of the restoration. Period correct details include labels decals a Weber 22 DRA carburetor and proper type hose clamps. This car even retains the original fabric roller blind hidden in the grille used to restrict airflow and help the engine stay warm in colder weather.The commercial success of the Topolino was significant for Fiat leading to the creation of two of the most influential cars in Fiats storied history the rear-engined 600 and the Nuova 500. Today the Topolino is still a beloved peoples car of Italy and the source of countless fond memories for many thousands of Italians. This charming and well-restored 500C Belvedere is a beautiful example and sure to provide many miles of happy motoring for the next caretaker.