CHOOSE YOUR FIAT 500

Designed by Dante Giacosa, the Fiat 500 ‘Bambina’ supercedes the 500 Topolino in July 1957.

Earliest and rarest models have suicide doors and a 13bhp engine, later beefed up to 15bhp in the ‘Economica’ and ‘Normale’.

Fiat introduce the ‘Sport’ from 1958 to 1960, which boasts a 499cc, 22bhp engine and a metal roof; previous versions had foldback canvas. Also in 1958 comes the 500N – the 500 largely as we know it now – also with sunroof.

For more space there’s the ‘Giardiniera’ estate with full-length sunroof, made from 1960 to 1975.

From 1965, with the arrival of the F, the suicide doors was dropped and the windscreen enlarged.

1968 sees the introduction of the 500L ‘Lusso’ with a new interior and a little more chrome.

The 500R ‘Rinnovata’ of 1972 is the final incarnation of this iconic design. Its 594cc engine kicks out 23bhp and sports a synchromesh gearbox

Although the Fiat 126 is introduced in 1973, 500 production doesn’t end until 1975.