Fiat 500, the secret of the Italian icon that few know

Fiat 500, a virtually unforgettable historical model. Of this car we know death and miracles. Or not? The “secret” that perhaps has always escaped you.

The Fiat 500, a unique model of its kind that has made the history of Italian and international motoring. His brand still persists today, despite the past years and the generations of cars and technological innovations that have gradually followed one another. But what do we not know about the legendary 500? Of course, we know the history and characteristics of a truly unique vehicle well.

But perhaps, from the historical point of view, we are missing some details. The name, for example. You may have wondered why the Fiat 500 is so called. Well, it is not at all casual as a nominative, and now we will try to explain why as well. The Italian car has left nothing to chance, as we can easily see.

Fiat 500, its history and why it is called that: everything you don’t know

Fiat 500, an iconic brand. Several have been produced over the years, following the great success of this legendary car. And the most famous model, for various reasons, is the one launched in 1957. Its precise name is Fiat Nuova 500. “Nuova” because, well, it wasn’t the first 500. Which in fact was produced in 1934, but it was called Topolino.

This, on the other hand, had to be the machine of the fascist regime – at least according to the starting ideas – affordable from an economic point of view. It should have been the “means of the people” already in the ’30s, but it was not, also because the price was quite high. Then World War II and all that was surrounding it, to block the project in question.

But then, as we said, came 1957. Italy in full economic boom, a golden opportunity to relaunch a model destined to become unique. The Italians had already tasted the idea of ​​a different means of transport thanks to the Vespa – another Italian icon – and the Lambretta, but also to the Fiat 600.

And so, it was launched a super-utility vehicle that could satisfy the needs of a specific market segment. And in fact, returning to the name, this recalls two very important points of the project. The first concerns the engine; the car was powered by an air-cooled two-cylinder engine with a displacement of 497cc.

A five hundred, in fact. And the second point was related to the price, just under 500,000 lire. A figure equal to about thirteen salaries of a worker (one year of work).

All in all, affordable. Much more accessible than cars of the same era, considering the period of great changes which was that of the 50s and 60s. Besides, this car served as a link to its “ancestor”. Let’s talk about the 500 Topolino. In short, at Fiat they did not really do anything by chance, not even from the point of view of the names.

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