Tag Archives: Cinquecento

1970 Fiat 500L

While wandering around the city the other weekend with friends, one of them spotted something in the parking lot and turned to me, exclaiming “what’s that?!?” Parked amongst a sea of gray SUVs and rather ho-hum sedans was this little red compact, more specifically, a Fiat Cinquecento. This was the car that helped put Italy on wheels and is still a rather common sight on various streets throughout the Old World, but over on US shores, they are few and far between. This 1970 500L for sale in New York has been restored and is the perfect runabout for an urban dweller who seeks economy but wants a bit of flair to go along with it.

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Year: 1970
Model: 500L
Engine: 500cc inline-2
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: N/A
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1970 Fiat 500L

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This is a 1970 Fiat 500L that was completely restored to original condition in Italy. Then shipped to the States about a year and a half ago. The car looks, runs and drives like new and needs nothing. For further details I can be reached at 718-274-3390. Thanks. The European license plates are not included in the sale. Car is sold as is. Deposit of $500 in 24 hours. Full payment in 7 days. Please no tire kickers. Thanks.

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Small classics and microcars have gained big in the market over the last few years. Find a good Cinquecento and be prepared to spend a decent amount. Prices are averaging around $20,000 for a 500L in good running order. A restored example like this may bring closer to $25,000, however, more information on where the restoration was undertaken and an actual mileage figure would be nice.

-Paul

1971 Fiat 500L

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Just a few years ago, Fiat was one of those brands that was a figment of the past in the US. But now with a second, larger model accompanying the retro styled 500, a new Italian car has become closer than it ever was since the mid 1990s. With this new 500 has brought a bit of nostalgia for the old variant. This 500L for sale in Ontario, Canada has a brand new motor and has been repainted in its original color.

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Year: 1971
Model: 500L
Engine: 650cc inline-2
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 84,000 mi
Price: $14,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1971 Fiat 500L

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1971 FIAT 500 L model. This car is a completely restored example of a 500L. The motor has been replaced with a brand new 650 cc Fiat motor and a brand new transmission. It was an original black car, so colours are correct for the vehicle. It runs and drives great, and is a blast to drive. It gets a ton of attention wherever it goes!!

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From the looks of it, this appears to be a decent enough bargain at the price, given that some of the best 500s can fetch over $20,000 these days. If you live in an urban area but can't bear the thought of driving a modern small car, why not give one of these vintage two cylinder runabouts a shot?

-Paul

1971 Fiat 500L

With fuel economy on everyone's mind nowadays, where is the car buyer to turn? Sure, you could buy a new car, possibly a hybrid, that might net you a tax credit and over 50mpg on the highway. But say you live in more urban, close quarters, don't want something as big, but seek a little style with your economy. One of the most chic city cars ever was the Fiat 500, or Cinquecento, produced from 1957 through 1975. Now that Fiat has returned to the US market with the Nuova 500 leading the charge, its an opportune time to make like a hipster, if you so desire, and tell people "I remember the 500 when..."

1971 Fiat 500L

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Here is a very special 1971 Fiat 500L. Finished with an orange exterior and black interior. The odometer reads 47,268 kilometers (29,370 miles) which we believe to be accurate. This is the rare L or "Lusso" model which was the penultimate edition to the famed Fiat 500. These cars came equipped with a more modern and updated dashboard, extra chrome nudge bar, wheel covers and more. This Fiat 500L just underwent a complete oil and fluid service within the last 20 miles and it drives as it should. The two cylinder engine and 4-speed manual transmission make a great combination although no races will be won driving this car. The steering is precise and the brakes are working properly as well. This really is a cute little microcar to drive.

The interior is very nice. The black seats are in good condition (see pictures) showing just typical wear and patina to the seats. The dashboard looks good as well. The exterior is what really makes a vintage Fiat 500L stand out from the rest. The orange paint is in nice condition with some scrapes and wear showing here and there. The paint is bright and shiny although there are a few areas that could use attention (see pictures). Most of the chrome and brightwork are in great condition and even the wheels and tires look good. This really is a great looking Fiat.

The 1971 Fiat 500L really is the ultimate vintage microcar. It has timeless looks which puts smiles on the faces of not only the driver and passengers of the car, but others who watch it go by. This 1971 Fiat is a very nice example imported by a collector several years ago and it is not restored but rather original showing some imperfections and original patina. Please feel free to call me (Matt 516-658-4048) with any additional questions you may have. I am listing this car with a very fair reserve so please only bid if you intend to buy! Don't miss this one! Good luck!

A 500 in concours condition might run you around the $20,000 mark these days. This 500L for sale in New York is in good driver quality condition, which, to be honest, is the way I would want to buy one of these things. These were never meant to be museum pieces, so its nice to see a car like this that has been sympathetically cared for and can be used as intended. I'd suspect the seller is eyeing a reserve of around $10,000 somewhere; a car like this should typically fetch between that figure and about $15,000.

-Paul

1965 Fiat 500 Jolly

Designed with resort towns in mind, the Fiat Jolly was built by Ghia in limited numbers as a response to a request by Fiat chairman, Gianni Agnelli. He wanted a small, lightweight car which he could transport on his boat for use in port towns and cities. With a chopped roof and wicker seats, it was rather remarkable that the Jolly cost almost double the price of a new 500. As a result, these cars were mainly popular with the jet set; a short list of Jolly owners included Aristottle Onassis, Yul Brenner, John Wayne, Grace Kelly and Mae West. Even US President Lyndon Johnson owned one. While they are purely a car with one purpose in mind, they have become quite collectable in recent times and always draw a crowd at auctions. This Jolly for sale in California was recently sold at Bonhams and Butterfields and has benefitted from a full restoration.

1965 Fiat 500 Jolly

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FIAT's Nuova 500, introduced in 1957, would prove to be an outstanding success for the company with some 2.9 million built. It spawned numerous variants, from sporting versions by Abarth to the ahead-of-its-time Giardiniera people carrier. Alternatives to the original were offered by many of Italy's finest carrozzeria, the best known of these being Ghia's stylish Jolly beach car, which transformed the 500 from basic transport to conspicuous indicator of wealth.

The origins of the Jolly can be traced to Fiat's own Chairman, playboy Gianni Agnelli, who wanted a tender for his yacht 'Agneta'. He commissioned Ghia to remove the remove the roof and doors and add a folding surrey top and wicker seats. Naturally, when Agnelli was seen driving his creation at popular Mediterranean ports, it became a must-have automotive accessory; famous Jolly owners included Aristotle Onassis, Grace Kelly and even Mae West. As redolent of la dolce vita Italy as the immortal Vespa scooter, the Jolly was quintessentially Italian. A small number of Jollies were based on the extended platform Giardiniera estate version of the 500, with the engine under the boot floor, affording a generous luggage area to carry your Louis Vuitton suitcases.

We acquired this Jolly Giardiniera from a broker who bought the car through Bonhams and Butterfields. According to them, the car was purchased in Italy by a Californian Italian ex-patriot and was thoroughly restored there over the past several years. Photos documenting the restoration show the Jolly completely stripped for paint in the attractive ivory color it wears today. Mechanical systems were refurbished as needed, including a rebuild of the engine and transmission.

The Giardiniera was in Italy as recently as November 2011, at which time it was certified in Torino by the Carrozzeria Ghia Club Italia; the homologation certificate and plaque is included. Additionally, in 2011 the Jolly was registered with the Registro Storico Fiat, and issued a plaque bearing its number in the Fiat Registry. An appraisal report in the file dated August 2012 describes the car as "performing with no operational malfunctions".

This exceptionally rare Giardiniera retains the Jolly's hallmark wicker seats and surrey fringe top, with the greater usability of the more practical Giardiniera body style – a model perfectly suited for that St. Barths beach house – or even on the decks of your yacht!

Offered with a California Title, I initially bought the car to use for a promotional event in Santa Barbara. While I buy and sell a high volume of European classics, I’m admittedly far from being an expert in Italian marques and I recommend that buyers do their own due diligence before bidding or purchasing on any car we have to offer. I’ll gladly forward all of the documentation that we have on the car upon request and welcome in-person inspections.

A Fiat Jolly will typically bring somewhere between $25,000 and $45,000 at auction. Given the documentation and condition, I'd suspect this car will wind up fetching somewhere around $35,000 for a high bid. These are perfect cars for someone wanting a little runabout for the beach who may not need full on four-wheel drive like that other popular beach car, the Jeep Wrangler. While it might seem pricey for a 500, you'd be hard pressed to garner this much attention with even a Ferrari or Lamborghini. Everyone will want to know what it is, so be ready with a little history lesson if you happen to be an owner of one of these vehicles.

-Paul

1968 Fiat 500L

With Fiat 500 sales gaining this year, I can't help but reflect on the car that started it all, the or almost 20 years, the Fiat 500 Cinquecento. Launched in 1957, this was the car that put Italy on the move and is still a popular choice with city dwellers and first time drivers to this day. This particular 500 for sale in Rhode Island is quite tidy and the medium blue hue suits its endearing character perfectly.

1968 Fiat 500L

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This is a beautiful Fiat 500L imported a few years ago from Italy. This Fiat is a very nice denim blue with a solid black interior and both are in very nice shape. If you have driven one of these before you will know they are fun to drive but a little under powered. This Fiat we have has been equipped with a 650cc motor which makes it a blast and makes the car actually usable. We rescued this one from a new fiat dealer who was using it as a show piece--it's that nice!! The car is sitting in our showroom here at Oxford Motorcars in Pawtucket, RI.

At $16,500, this asking price isn't way off the mark, but represents the high side of vintage 500 values right now. The high price could either be that cars typically are a bit more expensive in the Northeast or the dealer is trying to cash in on some of the current 500 craze, or a combination of the two. I do a lot of urban driving and to be honest, my MINI Cooper S even feels way too big at times. I can't help but get drawn in every time I see a mint 500 Cinquecento. They aren't the fastest or most glamorous cars in the world, but they are a great combination of economy and fun and in small package.

-Paul

1960 Fiat 500 Giardinera

For years, the Fiat 500 was the car of the people in Italy. While suitable for most Italian lifestyles at the time, Fiat responded to those consumers needing more space. Not only did they come out with a small van, the Multipla, but they offered a two door estate variant, the Giardiniera. With the additional length added behind the doors, this was a popular hauler for families and small businesses. Rarely seen on US shores, this Giardiniera for sale in California is a rare treat for small car enthusiasts.

1960 Fiat 500 Giardiniera

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Adorable and in great condition FIAT 500 Giardiniera Trasformabile extremely rare here in the USA or Italy. This FIAT is in great condition cosmetically and mechanically. It was very well taken care of and pampered by its owner who took it here all the way from Southern Italy. I will add more info pictures and video clips before the end of the day. This FIAT 500 runs excellent, shifts beautifully and it is a blast to drive around. Brakes work perfectly and does not leak any oil or any fluids. It is air cooled and after driving it for about 1 hour under 95 degrees here in California didn't give any sign of overheating. Tires are good in the back though could use new ones in the front. I have re charged the battery since it was sitting for some time, battery seems to hold up pretty good although might need a new battery sometime in the future (It uses 12 volt).

Bidding is strong so far on this little estate. We may not see Multipla money here, but given the oddball factor versus the more common 500 it is based on, this Giardiniera will probably bring somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 to $15,000.

-Paul

1965 Fiat 500L

For almost 20 years, the Fiat 500, or Cinquecento, was the car of the people in Italy. At three meters long, this was a surprisingly commodious vehicle and paved the way for a number of small cars that Fiat would produce over the next few decades. Due to its simplicity, it also proved popular with the burgeoning car market in Eastern Europe. With a rear mounted, two cylinder engine, it was never the most powerful car out there, but automotive tuner Carlo Abarth worked his magic on this car and it became a giant killer. While not an Abarth version, this particular 500 is a nice example of the L model, or Lusso, which had a 17 horsepower engine and interior upgrades.

1965 Fiat 500L

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1968 Fiat 500L 2 door. Great Car! One of the rare Micro Mini Cars. It measures only a little over 8 ft long. Parks easily on a 4X8 sheet of plywood. I've owned this car since March of 2005 and have had loads of fun with it. The serial number is 110D*1410516*. You won't believe the attention you will have when you bring this car to a car show! These are 2 cylinder air cooled cars, with 5 speed stick shift transmission. I understand that there were more than 4 million of these cars built in Italy, but they were never imported into the US for sale. The few old ones you find here are all cars that someone has had shipped over here at one time or another.

This is a very clean car as you can see in the photos. These cars are good for about 60 - 65mph, all day long and are advertised to get 55 miles per gallon. I'm far from an expert on these cars, I only bought it to have fun with it and that is just what we did. Now, other cars and other interests say that we should let someone else have it for a while. Comes with manuals and parts books, everything is available here in the US. Have some parts on hand that will go with the car. I have it advertised locally here in Minnesota also, so I reserve the right to remove this listing at any time, if it is no longer available for sale. $9,600.00 cash. Clear Minnesota title, priced to sell. This is a used car and I am not offering any warranty or guarantee with it. It runs and drives good and that is what you have. There are no known problems with the car.

At under $10,000, this car represents pretty good value when it comes to a Cinquecento. These days, mint condition 500s can be seen trading on a regular basis for between $12,000 to $17,000. While it may not be as safe as some modern day vehicle, for someone that needs a fuel efficient runabout, this would certainly be a unique, attention getting way of conserving fuel and having fun while doing it.

-Paul

1975 Fiat 500 Abarth 695 SS Clone

Sometimes you don't need a supercar to experience huge motoring thrills. Even the smallest of cars, such as this recreation of a Fiat 500 Abarth 695 SS will provide big car thrills in a small package for relatively little cost. While this 695 SS is not an original, it is well executed example with good attention to detail, from the Jaeger gauge cluster to Abarth badges.

1975 Fiat 500 Abarth 695 SS Clone

Really nice Fiat Abarth 695 esse esse with the coveted Assetto Corsa kit. Vehicle is complete, including the original Jaeger dashboard. Vehicle has been restored by a Fiat specialist. During restoration, the engine was overhauled and gearbox rebuilt. Vehicle is on the new Avon tires. Ready to use for the historic motor sport (including street legal). This 500 is completely rust free.

At a shade under $13,000 USD, this Abarth clone is priced around the going rate for standard 500s in the US. Considering an original 695 SS may run around $40,000 to $50,000, this is a relative bargain. Given the fact modern clones are more usable than the originals, both with regards to drivability and the fear of devaluation that comes with use, I think I would be more inclined to buy a sorted example like this rather than pay for the premium of an expensive museum piece.

-Paul

1971 Fiat 500 Mare

The Nuova 500 spawned a multitude of variants, from the racy Abarth versions to a small six seat van. One of the most interesting bodystyles was an open roof model with a canopy and without side doors. Known as the Jolly, these cars were built by Ghia and had a chopped windshield and wicker seats. Another open roofed beach cruiser, the Mare (or "sea" in Italian), was built by Carrozzeria Holiday in much more limited numbers. Only 50 were built, and they did not have the canopy roof of the Jolly and featured cloth instead of wicker seats. This example for sale in Canada is a wonderful example of an extremely rare Fiat.

1971 Fiat 500 Mare

Italy's location on the Mediterranean Sea meant innumerable beachfront cities and resorts. There was a brisk trade in beach buggy conversions of regular cars by the many specialist coachbuilders throughout Italy at the time. Without roof or doors the cars are basic in the extreme. This simplicity, however, remains their most endearing feature, giving these cheeky runabouts a sense of fun and mischief comparable only with the later Mini Moke. As you would expect the car is in excellent condition and finished in blue with a matching blue and white interior. These cars were only built to order by Holiday for VIPs and the hotels of Capri and the Amalfi coast. The body builder Holiday was also responsible for building the Twingo beach buggy. Much rarer than a Jolly, this is a highly desirable and rare little Fiat is perfect for trips to the beach and is sure to get you noticed. $49,000

The asking price for this Mare is about $15,000 over what similar Jollys have recently brought at auctions. Not too surprising, given this car's exclusivity and that a Ferrari dealer is offering it for sale. This car looks to be in almost better than new condition and the color combination is sure to win many admiring stares at the shore.

-Paul

1972 Fiat 500L

The Nuova 500 was a staple of the Italian motorways from the late 1950s through the 1970s. With its simple design, small footprint and clever use of space, it provided freedom to the masses with asking little in return. Today, there are still plenty on the roads, both in Italy and abroad and have amassed a loyal following. Part of its legacy is its modern day interpretation, the "Nuova" Nuova 500, if you will. While it has had slightly disappointing sales in the US market, it has relaunched the Fiat brand and reintroduced the fun of Italian motoring to a new generation of Americans.

This particular 1972 500L was one of those cars that caught my eye. It's stance, contrasting wheels and subtle modifications make this a tasty little number. It's stance gives the suggestion that it's ready to pounce at any minute.

1972 Fiat 500L

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This 1972 Fiat 500L was imported from Italy about 7 years ago. Fully restored with new 650cc engine and transmission, new wheels including tubes and tires about 1 year ago, Abarth steering wheel and shift knob, Giannini oil pan, electronic ignition, new top, new interior and much more.
Odometer shows 49,049 kilometers. The car runs very good, good engine and transmission, good brakes. Just a good strong little Cinquecento. Everything works with the exception of the fuel gauge. Inspections are welcome. I actually encourage inspections since this vehicle is being sold as is with no warranty stated or implied. I am not a dealer and am describing this car as best as i can. I am very conservative with my descriptions as you can see from my feedback. If you plan on driving or inspecting this vehicle please do so before bidding. Clear N.J title in hand.

These 500s are great little cars, cheap to run, easy on gas and elicit more stares than most Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Within the last half year, I've seen similar 500s range anywhere from $6,000 up to $12,000 and a little beyond, depending on condition. Most solid 500s in good condition, such as this, settle in around $8,000 to $10,000. This is a small price to pay for what amounts to one of the most legendary motors of the last century.

-Paul