The Fiat 500 is a small car by every measure, but it’s not quite compact enough to take on an airplane as a form of luggage. Still, that didn’t help one car enthusiast from taking a four-wheeled souvenir home (one way or another) from a stay in Europe.
The Pick of the Day is a 1972 Fiat 500 L coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Palm Harbor, Florida.
“I bought this Fiat when I lived in Italy in 2020 and brought it back to Florida when I moved back in 2022,” the listing explains.
The 500 was charming – and even cheerful – in its bubble-shaped Italian design. For people who lived in congested urban environments, it was a car that offered a versatile mobility solution. Fiat launched the car in 1957 and kept it in production until the mid-1970s. It was a popular car in Europe, but it was (and still is) an uncommon sight in the United States. Decades later, Fiat reentered the market with a new 500 in 2007.
This over-50-year-old car’s original engine (an air-cooled, 500cc inline-twin, mounted at the rear) developed some issues, so a new Abarth engine was shipped over from Italy and installed. At the same time, the transaxle was upgraded to a five-speed from a four-speed. Output from the new powertrain is a whopping 36 horsepower, so don’t expect to win very many drag races. The seller says that the car has been driven only a few hours since receiving a heart transplant, and it “runs and drives great.”
Finished in navy blue over red vinyl upholstery, the car is optioned in “Lusso” trim (which meant it had a slightly more refined equipment); features include an anti-glare dash covering, pleated upholstery, and unique hubcaps. The pull-back soft-top is a nice touch for open-air cruising. Best of all, the car’s mechanics are relatively simple, and it’s an economy car that certainly won’t look like anything else in its fuel-sipping class.
The listing concludes, “It is very rare to see this type of Fiat in this condition in the United States. I have not seen another one yet, at least in Florida.”
The asking price is $18,000 or best offer, which includes documentation dating back to the car’s original build. Bring a small taste of Italy to your driveway today!
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com