1969 Fiat Bambino 500F Coupe

Description

Considered by many to be the grandfather of the modern 'city car' concept, the Fiat 500 Nuova took diminutive style and flair to previously unseen heights. The 'cinquecento' received its name from the tiny, rear-mounted 479cc 'flat-twin' that was used to power the initial versions introduced in 1957. Its initial design was to allow 4 seater transport for the impoverished Italian masses as they continued to rebuild from the end of the second world war. The 500 F 'Berlina' was introduced in 1965 as an entry level 500, replacing the 500 D. Output was up to 18bhp from a 499cc derivative of the air-cooled motor, driving through a non-synchro 4-speed manual transmission. For the first time in the 500's run, the doors were now forward-hinged rather than being of the suicide type and ventilation improvements made its interior a more comfortable place to be. Right-hand drive markets also received a revised arc for the windscreen wipers, making progress in wet weather much more relaxed. Combined with the 500 L ('Lusso'- or luxury), by the time production of the 500 F ended in 1972, over 2 million had been produced.