A very rare 500 variant in highly original condition.

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Fiat S.P.A.

Origin: Torino, Italy

Production: est. 120,000 (all types)

Motor: 2-cyl, 4-stroke

Displacement: 499.5 cc

Power: 17.5 hp

Length: 3,185 mm

Identification No. 120/017780

Based on the Standard version of the Fiat 500, the Giardiniera benefited from front quarter lights, winding windows in the doors, and sliding windows at the rear. In addition, the sunroof folded back three-quarters of the roof length, providing ample opportunity for all passengers to keep a healthy pallor. The problem with providing a flat loading platform was overcome by using a 499.5-cubic centimeter motor that was turned on its side and laid under the rear floor. Engine cooling relied on air collected from grilles on the body sides, which were mounted as high as possible to reduce road dust being drawn into the engine compartment and to keep engine noise down.

The Giardiniera retained its suicide doors throughout production even when the later saloon cars were built with front-hinged doors. A Commercial version was also built and marketed under the Autobianchi brand. This is an honest, highly original example sporting cream paint with a blue and white interior and black convertible section. With just over 73,000 kilometers on the odometer, it stands as a testament to the reliability and durability of the Fiat 500 platform.