The 1957-‘75 Fiat Nuova Cinquecento has been a symbol of Italy for almost as long as it has existed, becoming so iconic that modern-day Fiat seems to believe recycling its aesthetic signatures and ‘500’ brand name is the only way to keep people interested in its new cars anymore. Built to compete just as much with scooters as with other small cars, it remains one of the world’s smallest four-seaters (although some Italian families would merrily try to far exceed a mere four occupants), and fitted down tiny Roman city streets like a glove. Its basic sub-500cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine was also easy to look after, while peppy in character and making up in spirit what it lacked in raw horsepower.

However, some families and small businesses felt that more load space would be preferable, leading in 1960 to the ‘Giardiniera’ (or ‘Gardener’) long-roof version. The front half of this estate/van variant was unchanged from standard, but from the B-pillars back it was transformed with stretched bodywork, a new full-length sunroof and a 100mm longer wheelbase. To maximise this new practicality, the inline two-cylinder engine was laid onto its side, making it low-slung enough that a perfectly flat load bed could be mounted above it – although the heat it generates probably isn’t very conducive to carrying frozen food home from the supermarket! It’s best to put colder goods in the EV-style front-end luggage compartment instead.

In 1968, Fiat transferred production of the Giardiniera to its subsidiary company Autobianchi, who kept building it with its own branding added until the model was discontinued in 1977 – two years after the 500 saloon.

As a car meant to be attainable for every section of Italian society, the 500’s interior is characteristically pure and minimalist in design, with a single dial (the speedo with integrated odometer and warning lights) and three unlabelled switches under an ashtray being the only features to be found on the dashboard. This car has had its seats retrimmed in a caramel-esque tan colour for added style and comfort, but the rest of the cabin is original and in remarkably good shape. The seller does not report any issues with the vinyl sunroof, either, whilst the carpet and door cards also present well with no tears or holes.

With the rear bench folded, there is a good amount of load space for such a small car, making it potentially ideal for delivering flowers, selling coffee or any manner of other small businesses that could benefit from a useful and endearing automotive mascot.

Dante Giacosa and his design team did a fine job of extruding the 500’s aesthetic into a longer shape than originally envisioned, giving a shape that is practical but no less pretty. One quirk of the responsibility for production being handed over to Autobianchi for the later years is that the Giardiniera retained its coach-style backwards-opening doors from the early 500 saloon, rather than switching to what we now consider conventional doors when the ‘500F’ introduced them in 1965.

The seller reports that the white paint shows some minor patina – little stone chips, scratches and general signs of use – but also makes the valid point that this is a 51-year-old workaday car and it doesn’t hide that fact from onlookers. The buyer may wish to restore it to concours condition if they choose, given how complete and solid the car is overall, but as it sits there is an authentic, characterful Italian classic here that could manage a few more years on the road as it is, if need be.

The seller reports that the engine stars up without issue, but also comments that it could do with a thorough clean and a service. Regrettably they have not had an opportunity to drive the car before the need to sell it arose, but feedback from the previous owner suggests it drives well with peppy performance and an enthusiastic soundtrack.

Anyone mechanically minded will have no problem figuring out how to maintain the air-cooled twin and give it a little TLC where needed, with the reward being a huge grin factor at any speed.

Whilst Fiat built nearly 3.9 million 500s between 1957 and 1975, only around 327,000 of them were Giardinieras, so this is an easy way to stand out from 90% of the crowd without missing out on all the same fun that the standard car offers. This car is at a tipping point where it could either be restored to last decades longer or enjoyed as an unvarnished original survivor more or less straight away. 

The choice is yours, and chances are there isn’t a wrong answer. For as long as classic cars still exist, the mid-century Fiat 500 will always be a desirable piece of industrial and cultural history.

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