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2022 Shannons Summer Timed Online Auction
Lot
195

1968 Fiat 500F 650cc (Modified) Sedan

$32,000

Brisbane

Sold

Specifications

Engine 650cc 2-cylinder air cooled
Gearbox Manual
Body Work 2-Door sedan
Colour Aqua
Interior Black
Wheels Alloy
Brakes Drum

Description

This lot is no longer available

The Fiat 500 has been emblematic of the Italian automotive industry through three generations beginning in 1936. Each of the three has been unique in the small car world and all have been sold in Australia. Dante Giacosa’s 1936 original was affectionately nicknamed ‘Topolino’ (little mouse) but despite its compact dimensions resembled a scaled-down larger model.  Launched in July 1957, the second-generation Nuova 500 was also the work of Giacosa’s fertile imagination. It conformed to what would become the common pattern for small cars of packaging ‘the works’ at one end (as the BMC Mini would do in 1959), but early examples were underpowered and lacked synchromesh on the gears. The Nuova would have a long production life during which it underwent thorough revision. In June 1965 came the 500 (F), the first baby Fiat with front-hinged doors. This model was quite a good seller in Australian in the late 1960s and by 1968 was commonly sighted in the traffic. It acquired quite a cult following in something of the manner of the Citroën 2CV.