This Is What A 1975 Fiat 500 Is Worth Today

This Fiat 500 was brought to Poland from Verona, where it had been owned by the same family since 1975. The original registration card, issued in 1975, is still in use. The car is a 500R model with an 18 BHP engine and a synchromesh gearbox, which makes driving easier and more enjoyable. The body was repainted a few years ago. The Fiat was thoroughly inspected after it was imported, and all defects were repaired.

The vehicle now has new seat upholstery, a red interior, and new aluminum rims and tires. The paint job was meticulously refreshed. The car looks fantastic in its flashy, high-contrast livery. Extras like the rims, Italian-flag colored body stripes, and the external trunk make this small Fiat even more racy and iconic. The car will undoubtedly draw attention not only during pleasure drives on Polish roads, but also at vintage car shows, including Italian-only car shows.

Road To Success: The Peculiar History Of The 1975 Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 not only motorized postwar Italy, but it also became a symbol of the Italian way of life and design, as well as one of the most popular cars of all time. The model was first introduced in 1957. At the time, Italy, which was still recovering from the war, required a low-cost, mass-market automobile. In 1955, a model that was very similar to the 600 was available on the market.

Nonetheless, Fiat decided to release an even smaller model. The 500 measured only 2.97 m in length. Dante Giacosa designed the body. The rear-mounted air-cooled two-cylinder engine drove the rear wheels. Surprisingly, the car did not have a two-stroke engine, which was a popular solution among rival brands. The original Fiat 500 had a 497cc engine that produced 13 HP. The engine was bored out to 499cc in a more powerful Sport version. In 1960, that displacement became standard, and engine power was increased to 17 BHP.

Later versions, beginning with the 500F produced in 1965, had front-hinged doors. The interior was gradually improved in terms of equipment and trim. There were a number of sports editions available on the market from manufacturers such as Abarth and Giannini. The 500 was also available in an estate version (Giardineria) and as a doorless Jolly Ghia with canvas roof, both of which were relatively uncommon. In 1975, the model was retired.

The Fiat 500 was sold alongside its successor, the Fiat 126, over the last three years. The 500R, which featured a synchromesh gearbox, was the model's final version. Nearly 4 million units of that endearing model were produced in total. Nonetheless, it is a relatively sought-after vintage car, especially since the introduction of the new Fiat 500. On the other hand, some original 500s are still in use in Italy.

Here's How Much It'll Cost To Put A 1975 Fiat 500 In Your Garage Today

From the late 1950s to 1975, you could buy a brand-new 500 for less than $260, not including inflation. The second-generation 500 is now a highly collectible model, especially given the popularity of the modern third-generation. You can get one for between $6,500 and $16,000 on the used car market, depending on the dealer, though there are premium, show-quality examples available for upwards of $75,000.

Exterior & Interior: How The 1975 Fiat 500's Design Flourished Through Its Generation

When you put the second- and third-generation 500s side by side, it's clear where the new car gets its styling cues. Both have a rounded, bubble-shaped body, circular headlights, short overhangs, and diminutive proportions. Dante Giacosa designed the second generation, which is widely regarded as one of the first modern city cars. Not only was it visually appealing, but its small size was ideal for zipping through traffic and squeezing into tight parking spaces.

The original model was 52 inches tall, 52 inches wide, and 117 inches long. The small body was also surprisingly aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of only 0.38 – a low value for the time. The roof had an open-top that was covered by a foldable fabric that provided either sunlight or weather protection depending on the conditions. The exterior of the second-generation 500 changed very little over its 18-year run, with the odd chrome styling element added or removed throughout the model's progression.

Despite its small size, the 500 was widely praised for its ability to carry a large amount of cargo, including four adult passengers and a large amount of luggage. This characteristic was enhanced in the LWB Giardiniera model, which saw many units enlisted as workhorses for Italian firms. Things are straightforward on the inside. The dashboard has only a few buttons and switches, and a single gauge sits behind the massive thin-rimmed steering wheel. It's spartan and purposeful, just like a people's economy car should be.

Sources: Classic–Cars, TopSpeed, Stone Acre MG, Classic Driver