fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
1/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Sixty-four years young

“Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” When the Beatles first asked that question in 1967, the Fiat 500 was already 10 years old. Today, Italy’s most iconic small car is still going strong – and now comes with electric power. We’ll explore its story so far, via some fantastic archive photos. But first, let’s take a closer look at the new 500e.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
2/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Friends are electric

You won’t spit out your cappucino out when you first see a Fiat 500e. The new car is still cute and instantly recognisable. Look closely and you’ll spot they’ve replaced the last ‘0’ in some of the badges with an ‘e’ – subtle, but effective. Underneath, more serious changes were needed, given the petrol-powered 500 had been on sale for 13 years. The 500e uses an all-new platform, with its electric powertrain good for 199 miles when fitted with the largest 42kWh battery.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
3/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Minimal cabin, maximum tech

They’ve done the same on the inside, too. The retro feel remains – we love the two-spoke steering wheel – but there’s now a large touchscreen and Fiat’s new user interface, which allows drivers to control parts of the car with their phone. Standard safety kit includes attention assist, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition. You didn’t get those in 1957…

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
4/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Future and past

On sale now, the Fiat 500e takes on the Honda e and Mini Electric. Prices start from £20,995 after the government Plug-in Car Grant is applied. There’s an open-top convertible version, seen here, and you can expect many colourful special editions, too. Now, let’s turn the clock back 64 years to where it all began.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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Nuova 500: launched in 1957

The Nuova 500 (‘new 500’) was launched in 1957 and helped mobilise an entire nation.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
6/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Nearly 3.8 million built

During an 18-year production life, nearly 3.8 million cars were produced.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
7/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Made in Turin

The Fiat 500 was assembled at the famous Fiat Lingotto factory in Turin. Yes, the one with a test track on the roof.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
8/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Fiats on parade

Here we see a parade of new Fiat 500s, just around the corner from the factory in Turin.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
9/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Powered by a 479cc engine

The first cars were powered by a 479cc air-cooled engine with just two cylinders.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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Less than 10 feet long

The Fiat 500 measured just 2,970mm in length (less than 10 feet) and was one of the very first city cars.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
11/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Lights, camera, action

The 500’s cute styling meant it was a natural in front of the camera.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
12/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Liege-Brescia-Liege Rally

In 1958, seven Fiat 500s entered the Liege-Brescia-Liege Rally and finished 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 13th.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
13/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Cut-away drawing

This cut-away drawing shows the Fiat 500 at its simplistic best. It was incredibly easy to maintain.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
14/38 SLIDES © Fiat

New Fiat badge

From 1972, the 500 featured the new Fiat badge on the front.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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Fiat 500 De Luxe

This is a Fiat 500 De Luxe, produced between 1968 and 1972. Note the chrome nudge bars on the front and rear.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
16/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Fiat 500 De Luxe

Has there ever been a prettier city car? Discuss…

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
17/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Fiat 500 Abarth

Here’s an early Fiat 500 Abarth on what appears to be that famous rooftop test track in Turin. Note the spotlights and lack of bumpers.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
18/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Fiat 500 in Britain

Here, a group of UK journalists inspects the new Fiat 500. Can’t imagine today’s motoring press looking so smart.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
19/38 SLIDES © Bloomberg

Fiat 500

The spartan interior of the Fiat 500 – but it was more spacious than you might expect.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
20/38 SLIDES © Associated Press

500s in convoy

It’s impossible to look at this photo and not smile. The 500 has that effect on people.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
21/38 SLIDES © Associated Press

All smiles

We challenge anyone to drive a Fiat 500 and not spend the entire time grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
22/38 SLIDES © Fiat

World’s largest display of Fiats

In 2006, Fiat 500 Club Italia organised the world’s largest display of Fiats. A total of 754 cars turned up for a parade.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
23/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Turin to Beijing

These chaps drove from Turin to the Olympic Games in Beijing, a journey of some 12,400 miles.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
24/38 SLIDES © Associated Press

Fiat 500s at Monaco

Here’s a group of Fiat 500s tackling the famous Monaco Grand Prix circuit. We doubt they set a lap record.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
25/38 SLIDES © Associated Press

Red noses

Yes, the 500s do appear to have red noses on the front. Is Red Nose Day a thing in France?

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
26/38 SLIDES © Associated Press

Old meets new

In this photo, the modern Fiat 500 looks the same size as the original. As we know, this is certainly not the case.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
27/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Launched in 2007

The all-new Fiat 500 was launched in 2007 and became the must-have car for the young and fashionable.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
28/38 SLIDES © Fiat

It’s a dog’s life

Has anyone lost a dog?

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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Dog gone

Seriously, this dog appears to be lost.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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Reunited

Ah, it’s OK. The dog has found its owner. Although someone has unwisely left a Fiat 500 on the beach.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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All aboard the Fiat 500

Now look – the tide has come in! We’re not sure what’s happening here, but we suggest you don’t try it.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
32/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Fiat 500 Ferrari

There have been many, many Fiat 500 special editions produced since 2007, This is the racy 500 Sport Ferrari.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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2015 Fiat 500

Fiat unveiled a facelifted 500 in 2015, said to benefit from 1,800 detail changes. And yes, that’s Lingotto again – the glass dome is a more recent addition.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
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1.5 million produced

You can spot the updated Fiat 500 by its hoop-shaped tail lights. At this point, more than 1.5 million ‘new’ 500s had been built. Wisely, Fiat didn’t stray far from the original recipe.

fiat 500 history in pictures: bella italia!
35/38 SLIDES © Fiat

Hatchback and convertible

The Fiat 500 was also available as a convertible, with a roll-back top like a sardine tin. Just us? OK, then.

Keyword: Fiat 500 history in pictures: Bella Italia!

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