GT5 Transcripts/Fiat 500

The Fiat 500, introduced in 1957, is a compact car inheriting the will of the pre-war Topolino. But even more importantly, it was a new car that pursued the very minimum of a functional passenger car.

Certainly, there are many differences between the Topolino and the Fiat 500. Compared with the two-seat Topolino, the Fiat 500, though cramped, had seats for four adults. Furthermore, while the Topolino had a front engine/rear drive layout, the Fiat 500, with a full monocoque construction body, had a rear engine/rear drive layout.

The Fiat 500's engine was a 479cc air-cooled two-cylinder OHV capable of 15 BHP, and it had a top speed of 56 mph. While a front half canvas top roof was standard, this was equipped mainly for noise control and ventilation.

Even though it was compact, it was highly practical. Moreover the inexpensive Fiat 500, with its popularity centered in Italy, introduced many tuning models over the years. Among these, the model tuned by Carlo Abarth, known then as the god of engine tuning, was unrivalled in the compact class at the time, and was very competitive in motorsports.

Naturally, the Fiat 500 itself evolved. In 1959 the sport model debuted, with the engine displacement increased to 499cc and the maximum power output raised to 18 BHP. This sports engine was the standard spec in the 500D, introduced in 1961. Furthermore, the front-opening doors, due to safety reasons, were replaced with rear-opening ones in the 1965 500F.

As the pioneer of the 'minimum car', or 'mini', this car is still popular to this day.