1968 - Autobianchi 500 Giardiniera Chassis no. 120*289475 French historic registration title French historic registration title The Italian myth in a family estate version, in the perfect shade. The Italian myth in a family estate version, in the perfect shade. - The world-famous commercial name of the 500 has made Fiat internationally popular. As famous as the Beetle or the 911, its renown is such that in recent years it has reappeared in the modern form you know. - The very first series of Fiat Nuova 500 was presented in Turin in July 1957. It was powered by a rear-mounted 479cc air-cooled vertical twin-cylinder engine delivering 13 bhp. After a number of changes, in 1960 the 500 became the 500 D, and a utility and family version was launched: this was the birth of the Fiat 500 Giardiniera (gardener), of which 327,000 were produced. - The car that illustrates these pages was built in 1968, a transitional year in which the Giardiniera was marketed under the Autobianchi brand, even though the company had been manufacturing the car for Fiat since 1960... - And even though it is an Autobianchi, it was 'fiatised' during its restoration in Italy, its black interior, speedo and steering wheel having been advantageously replaced by much more cheerful Fiat elements to match its sublime Giallo Positano colour. The roof is fully convertible. - The bodywork is sound, and the tyres, brakes, ignition, battery, exhaust and electrics are new. The car drives well, but needs an engine service: the oil pressure warning light is still on, even though the oil pump is new and the contactor has been checked... - The world-famous commercial name of the 500 has made Fiat internationally popular. As famous as the Beetle or the 911, its renown is such that in recent years it has reappeared in the modern form you know. - The very first series of Fiat Nuova 500 was presented in Turin in July 1957. It was powered by a rear-mounted 479cc air-cooled vertical twin-cylinder engine delivering 13 bhp. After a number of changes, in 1960 the 500 became the 500 D, and a utility and family version was launched: this was the birth of the Fiat 500 Giardiniera (gardener), of which 327,000 were produced. - The car that illustrates these pages was built in 1968, a transitional year in which the Giardiniera was marketed under the Autobianchi brand, even though the company had been manufacturing the car for Fiat since 1960... - And even though it is an Autobianchi, it was "fiatised" during its restoration in Italy, its black interior, speedometer and steering wheel having been advantageously replaced by much more cheerful Fiat elements, to match its sublime Giallo Positano colour. The roof is fully convertible. - The bodywork is sound, and the tyres, brakes, ignition, battery, exhaust and electrics are new. The car drives well, but needs an engine service: the oil pressure warning light is still on, even though the oil pump is new and the contactor has been checked... Est. €8,000 - €12,000