1964 FIAT 500D Trasformabile
Chassis no. 754014
Engine no. 830266

Apart from a Ferrari, no car is more recognisable as classically Italian than the FIAT 500. Replacement for FIAT's much-loved 500 'Topolino', the Nuova 500 debuted in 1957. A radical departure from its predecessor's essentially pre-war design, FIAT's new baby featured unitary construction, a full-length opening (trasformabile) fabric roof and all-independent suspension while carrying its engine at the rear. The 479cc power unit was an air-cooled overhead-valve twin, the first such used by FIAT, and the gearbox a four-speeder.

The austerity of the basic 500 - it was known as the 'Economica' - was not well received, prompting the swift introduction of a revised and better equipped model, which first appeared towards the end of 1957 at the Turin Show. Refinements incorporated in this less Spartan version included wind-down windows, an upholstered rear seat, column-mounted switch gear stalks, and hubcaps. Introduced in 1960, the 500D used the 499.5cc engine of the 500 Sport in de-tuned form, which nevertheless brought with it a small gain in horsepower. With the introduction of the 500D, the short sunroof first seen on the Sport became available on the standard saloon.

The Nuova 500 was an immense success for FIAT, and by the time production ceased in 1975 almost 3,000,000 of these adorable little cars had been sold. The original FIAT 500 remains as popular today as it ever was and recently was voted 'Sexiest Car' by the readers of the UK's Top Gear motoring magazine.

This FIAT 500D Trasformabile was sold new in Terni, Italy in September 1964 to one Leandro Grilli and comes with its original libretto and current Italian registration papers. According to the original Italian documents the car has had only two previous owners in Italy. Presented in the lovely colour scheme of Verde Acquamarina over a red interior, the car has benefitted from an extensive restoration to a very high standard which was finished in 2016. Today the car is still presented in excellent condition, ready to be enjoyed.