Fiat’s charming little 500, or cinquecento, as it was known in Italy, was a mainstay throughout Europe in the late 1950s and remains so today. Purpose built to provide practical low-cost transportation to the masses, it has become an enduring icon of Italian culture. Despite being purpose built for cost efficiency, the little Fiat’s compact dimensions and fully independent suspension made it a joy to drive, and the cinquecento would come to define Fiat.

Looking to bring the 500 upmarket, the L, or Lusso model, was introduced in mid-1968. It was easily identifiable by its additional brightwork, radial-ply tyres, revised hubcaps, modernized speedometer with a revised dashboard and its two-spoke steering wheel. Inside, the 500 L featured revised door handles and switchgear, along with reclining front seats and full carpeting.

This stunning Fiat 500 L, offered with its original Italian registration document, had just three caretakers over a 45-year period. Its first Italian owner acquired this 500 L in 1970 and retained the car for 12 years, selling it to its second owner in Italy during 1982. That individual kept the car until 2009, when it was sold to its third owner. In 2015 this 500 L was acquired by Italmotor of Turin. One of the oldest Fiat dealers in the company’s own hometown, there would be few dealerships better equipped to undertake a full restoration, and the dealership sought to use this little 500 L to showcase its capabilities. The end result is a stunning and very useable 500 L, reminiscent of the original launch car, sporting a rarely seen black over red colour combination.

When distilled down to its core attraction, the classic car hobby is about little more than having fun, and this fun Fiat 500 L is likely to put a huge smile on its new owner’s face.