In 1948 a revised car, the 500B was released.
The body was virtually unchanged but the mechanicals received more attention.
The engine got an extra 3.5bhp and the brakes, suspension and electrical
equipment were improved. Some minor design changes also occured in the
cockpit. Also in 1948 was presented an estate version, the 500 Giardiniera-Belvedere.
This was able to carry four people in its longer steel/wood/plastic body.
Around 21,000 500B's were produced until the following year (1949) when it was replaced.
An estate, now
simply 'Giardiniera' was also available, and in 1952 a new version, the
'Belvedere' was launched. This was really just a Giardiniera without the
wood, offering four seats and some luggage space with the same mechanicals.
Production of the 500 ceased in 1955 when the 600
was launched. Some 376,370 examples of the 500C were built, bringing the
total of 500s produced to 519,646.
The 500 formed the basis of many other cars made by the small Italian manufacturers of the day. For some of the many variations of this theme, by
manufacturers such as Siata, Ermini, Stanguellini, Stanga and others, see the 'Other
Marques' page.
Launched
in 1936, the new 'baby' Fiat, the 500, or 'Topolino' was the smallest mass-produced
car of its time. With two seats, a 13bhp 569cc engine and a 2000mm wheelbase,
it was designed to bring motoring to the masses. A conventional design (sectioned and
chassis),
with a longitudinal four-cylinder engine at the front and rear wheel drive,
it was a great success, and the initial version remained in production until 1948, with over 110,000
being sold. After the first 46,000 cars the rear suspension was modified
but few other changes were made.
That year saw the arrival of the 500C at
the Geneva Motorshow in March. This time the changes were mainly cosmetic,
with a completely new front end. The engine also received an aluminium
cylinder-head, but the output remained the same. It was also fitted with
a heating system, using hot air from the radiator to clear the windscreen
or heat the interior, the first Fiat with such a system.
Technical Details
| Driveline | longitudinal engine at front with rear wheel drive
(sectioned and chassis) |
| Engine | 569cc (52x67mm) in-line four cylinder
sidevalves in the original 500, overhead valves from the 500B (1948) |
| Suspension | front : independent with wishbones and single transverse leaf spring
rear : rigid axle with leaf springs wheelbase : 2000mm track (front/rear) 500 : 1114mm/1083mm track (front/rear) 500B/C : 1116mm/1083mm |
| Brakes | drums all round |
| Gearbox | 4 speed manual |
| Empty weight | 500 : 535kg; 500B : 600kg; 500C : 610kg |
Links
A Topolino website
For books on Fiats see our Online Bookstore
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Wallpapers/Desktop Backgrounds of numerous Fiats also available to download.
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