Vehicle Description
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 Italy's 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 nation's 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 Fiat's 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 150,000 units from the car's
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
376,000 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 mother's 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 you're not in any particular hurry.
The little two-main-bearing four-cylinder is eager for its size and
revs freely. This car's 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 Fiat's storied history - the rear-engined 600 and the Nuova 500.
Today, the Topolino is still a beloved people's 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.
