BUYER’S GUIDE

Fiat 500 Review

Still the best way to bash about the narrow streets of an Italian town, the iconic Fiat 500 is a charismatic classic over here as well. If you’ve got your eye on the retro Fiat 500 then this buyer’s guide will give you the information you need to find the right one for you, avoid any common issues, and find the right classic car insurance.

What Is the Fiat 500?

The Fiat 500, sometimes called the Nuova 500, is one of Italy’s most iconic cars. Introduced in 1957, it was designed as simple, affordable transport for post-war Europe, using a rear-mounted, air-cooled two-cylinder engine and an exceptionally compact body.

Although tiny, the 500 became famous for its clever packaging, charming styling and surprisingly enjoyable driving experience. It remained in production for almost two decades and evolved into numerous versions, including the Giardiniera estate and high-performance Abarth derivatives.

Today, the classic Fiat 500 is a popular entry point into classic-car ownership. It is inexpensive to run compared with many classics, supported by an excellent specialist network and offers huge character at modest speeds. However, buyers should focus on structural condition, as rust repairs can quickly outweigh the purchase price of a poor example.

When was the Fiat 500 produced?

The original Fiat 500 launched in July 1957 and was gradually updated through D, F, L and R versions before production ended in 1975. Estate versions, known as the Giardiniera, continued slightly longer under Autobianchi production. The Fiat 500 name returned in 2007 on an entirely new modern model, but enthusiasts generally refer to the 1957–1975 car as the Classic Fiat 500.

Most Fiat 500s were built in Turin, Italy. Production also took place at Fiat factories elsewhere in Italy, while some overseas assembly occurred under licence in countries including Austria. The Giardiniera estate was later produced by Autobianchi. For today’s buyers, originality and condition matter far more than factory location.

What changes were made to the Fiat 500 over the years?

The Fiat 500 evolved steadily while retaining its unmistakable appearance. The original 1957 Nuova 500 used a 479cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine and distinctive rear-hinged “suicide” doors.

In 1960, the more powerful 500 D arrived with a larger 499cc engine. The 500 F followed in 1965, introducing conventional front-hinged doors to meet changing regulations and improve practicality. It became one of the most widely recognised versions.

The 500 L (“Lusso”) launched in 1968 with improved interior trim, revised bumpers, extra brightwork and a more refined cabin. In 1972, the final 500 R adopted the 594cc engine from the Fiat 126, offering slightly more torque while simplifying equipment to keep costs down.

Alongside the standard models, Fiat produced the Giardiniera estate, while Abarth transformed the 500 into an accomplished competition car with significantly more performance. Despite continual improvements, every version retained the rear-engine layout, compact dimensions and distinctive personality that made the Fiat 500 famous.

What are the common problems with the Fiat 500?

Rust is the biggest concern and should always take priority over mechanical condition. Corrosion can affect the floorpan, sills, wheelarches, suspension mounting points and front panel, and structural repairs are often more expensive than mechanical work.

Mechanically, the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine is simple and durable if maintained properly, but oil leaks, overheating caused by neglected cooling fins, worn timing gears, carburettor issues and tired clutches are common. Gearboxes can become noisy, particularly in lower gears, and synchromesh wear is normal on older cars.

Electrical faults are usually straightforward to repair but ageing wiring, charging systems and starter motors deserve inspection. Many cars have been modified during their lives, so buyers should assess the quality of any upgrades rather than assuming they improve reliability.

What should I look for when buying a Fiat 500?

Prioritise the body above everything else. Inspect the sills, floorpan, front crossmember, wheelarches, suspension mounting points, battery tray and boot floor carefully. Fresh paint should never be accepted as proof of a rust-free shell.

Mechanically, check that the engine starts easily, idles smoothly and doesn’t smoke excessively. Gear selection should feel positive, while the brakes and steering should inspire confidence rather than feel vague.

Look for evidence of regular servicing and quality restoration work. Originality generally adds value, although sympathetic upgrades such as improved braking or electronic ignition can enhance usability. A specialist inspection is worthwhile, particularly on early or high-value cars.

Where does the Fiat 500 tend to rust?

The Fiat 500 commonly rusts around the outer and inner sills, floorpan, front valance, wheelarches, front suspension mounting points, battery tray, boot floor, door bottoms and lower front wings.

Pay particular attention to the jacking points, rear suspension pick-up points and the seams beneath the windscreen. Water can also become trapped beneath rubber seals and under old underseal.

Many cars have been restored at least once, so buyers should inspect the quality of previous repairs rather than simply checking whether rust is visible.

Common Fiat 500 Corrosive Areas

Sunroof surrounds

Sills and floorpan

Window frames

Classic Fiat 500 Checklist

Fiat 500 evolution can basically be split into the original Nuova 500 (sometimes called the N) that launched in 1957 and the upgraded D that came in 1960, both obvious by their rear-hinged ‘suicide’ doors
The 500 F launched in 1965 provided the basis for the remaining production run, adopting conventional front-hinged doors and various other upgrades; the L (for Lusso) version of this added more luxuries and can be distinguished by its front ‘bull bar’ bumper and rear over-riders while the R that followed in 1971 had the bigger engine from the 126
On the inside the 500 L differs from the F sold alongside it by its trimmed dashboard and slot-like speedo in place of the painted metal and circular dial of the more basic model
The 500 was built to be cheap and rust consumes many to beyond the point of economical repair; dry climate ones from southern Italy can still be found but they’ll have lived several hard lives by now and even these can’t escape corrosion
The single-skin construction means rust will at least be obvious but check everywhere, especially in the front luggage compartment around the fuel tank and battery, along the sills, sunroof, around the windows and the rear trailing arm mounts
The engines are simple and tough, but rebuilds can be expensive if required so look out for smoke on start-up and any signs of overheating, the latter often caused by inoperative cooling flaps
Original 500 gearboxes aren’t synchronised so can suffer from hamfisted shifting; a vague selector could be cured by new linkage bushings but jumping out of first signals a rebuild
Check the car sits level and the state of the transverse front leaf spring, which along with the kingpins needs regular lubrication; rear suspension mounts and arms can corrode with catastrophic results
Engine swaps from the later 126 are not uncommon and mean a bit more power and a proper synchromesh gearbox

How Does It Drive?

While the skins of rice puddings have little to fear from the air-cooled twin, and you can forget quoting zero to 60 times on the basis even that figure will likely be a distant dream, there’s no shortage of fun to be had at the wheel of a 500. Eager and torquey, the engine is tuned to work perfectly in the narrow, twisty streets of an Italian town and can get up to urban speeds reasonably quickly, the steering light and direct, the ride bouncy and the gearing short. You’ll need to be on your game with the double-declutching and the short-travel clutch if your chosen 500 has the original non-synchro ‘box but this is all part of the fun and the tiny footprint is as useful now as it ever was. A Mini or Beetle will cope better if your driving takes you beyond city limits but, in its urban comfort zone, the 500 is every bit as fun and charismatic as the image suggests.

What’s good about the classic Fiat 500?

The 500 is one of those cars that proves there’s more to life than horsepower and speed, the charm of its looks, the incredible space efficiency of its design and the raucous way it deploys its modest performance all sure to put a smile on your face.

At a squeeze you can even fit four people in it, the sociable vibe, the joy of rolling back the fabric roof to soak up the sun and sense of innocent fun all equally addictive. Bodywork aside it’s also a very simple car, with the bare minimum of electrics or other things to go wrong and have it sidelined on the driveway when you should be out having fun.

What’s bad about the classic Fiat 500?

Best will in the world the 500’s very specific skillset limits it to slower road and shorter journeys, and taking it onto a motorway or fast-moving A-road is going to be frustrating and, in all likelihood, pretty scary as well. To the latter it goes without saying you’re not going to want to be involved in a crash with a modern vehicle either.

The non-synchro gearbox may also be a bit ‘vintage’ for modern drivers. But a later engine swap can solve that and for for popping down to the village, nipping to the nearby beach or just puttering around town it’s still fun.

Meanwhile the cheapness of its construction is reflected in the propensity to rust, with even cars who’ve lived their lives in dryer climates vulnerable and the cost of bringing one back from serious corrosion likely beyond what seems economically viable.

What do people love about the Fiat 500?

Owners love the Fiat 500 because it delivers huge character from a very small package. The air-cooled twin-cylinder engine has a distinctive sound, the controls feel delightfully mechanical and every journey becomes an event, even at modest speeds.

Its tiny dimensions make it easy to drive and park, while the cheerful styling attracts attention almost everywhere it goes. Unlike many larger classics, the 500 feels approachable rather than intimidating, making it particularly appealing to first-time classic owners.

Another major attraction is the strength of the enthusiast community. Parts are widely available, specialist knowledge is excellent and almost every component can be repaired or replaced. The Fiat 500 proves that driving enjoyment is about involvement and charm rather than outright performance.

Which Model To Choose?

Early, pre-1965 N and D cars with the reverse-hinged doors are going to be pretty thin on the ground now so your main decision is going to be between the more conventional F and the slightly more luxurious Lusso versions from the mid-60s onwards. These still have all the charm you’d want out of a 500, the F’s metal dash and round speedo considered more attractive than the trimmed one of the L. Though, it’s worth pointing out, the latter does get such luxuries as a fuel gauge, rather than a simple warning light to warn you when you’re about to run out. Later R versions get the later 126 engine and, all things relative, a fraction more performance but many older cars have had these retrofitted at some point over the years. Short version? It’s probably best not to get too hung up on a particular model, and just pick the least rusty one you can find, or one with documented evidence of a proper restoration.

Specifications

Engine

499cc two-cylinder, petrol

Power

18PS (24kW) @ 4,600rpm

Torque

30Nm (22lb ft) @ 3,000rpm

Transmission

Four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

Kerb weight

520kg

0-62mph

N/A

Top speed

60mph

Production dates

1957-1975 (total production)