Nice vid. I bought one of these for my first car when I was 16 many years ago. I taught myself how to drive a manual in this car and mastered the art of double clutching. I also learned that if I had to reverse the car from a parking spot, I would put the car in reverse before starting the engine to avoid trying to engage reverse with the engine running. The car ran well for many years but in the end I grew tired of having to replace the cable that runs from the starter lever to the back of the engine because it kept breaking. If you have owned a 500 you will know what I mean and how to start the car when the cable breaks. Another annoyance was the lack of a locking mechanism for tilting front seats. I had many a front seat passenger who had a sore head from head butting the windscreen.. Sadly the car rusted out and died and I couldn't afford to fix it.
Thanks. What a great insight into the realities of 500 ownership from start to finish. As you could probably tell I failed to master double de-clutching all the time I was with the car. Matt 😬.
Kai T Hey. Really appreciated. The idea was always Real World with all shakes, rattles and squeaks left in. I really hope you enjoy your new purchase and manage to master the 500’s infamous gearbox. Matt.
Love it. I got a one year old 500 a few months back and I just love it. The original looks so cute and an unbelievable amount of them sold over it’s life. I wouldn’t part with mine though, it really is a smile a mile
Beautiful review, friend. This machine, with its simplicity, is a charm. A pity that there are some vehicles similar to this original but light years behind in the fun factor. There are two, maybe three machines out there (in the States specifically) that come close to this 500, but NO cigar (if you catch my drift). This version 500 made yours truly smile as you drove it in the vid. Cheers, friend...Peace
I just love these cars. My big brother had one and it was wonderful. I don't know why people always make such a fuss about double de-clutching downchanges. All you have to do is shift into neutral, match the revs with the clutch up, depress the clutch and change down. Once you have done it for a while, it is second nature. I still do it on most down changes even on a modern manual. Cheers.
My girlfriend has a cream white from `67 that has been lightly restored a decade or so ago.....I`m thinking of giving it another refresh and maybe put a refurbished 126 engine and synchronized gearbox.
Good calls, with that combination you'll have a car with Mini Cooper S rivalling performance. Keep all the original parts of course, so it can be put back to standard at anytime. Matt.
love the car and after watching several reviews bought one last week in southern Italy. If anyone knows, could someone tell me what the 3 switches on the dashboard do? The left hand one is the lights but that's all I have worked out. Anyone know what the other 2 do or are supposed to do :)?
Excellent video. I had 3 500's in the 1980's when the cars were still very cheap to buy. A problem I had with 2 of them was the exhaust manifold breaking (the shaped cast iron flange bit) where it's bolted on to the engine; it's important to regularly check that the brackets which hold the silencer are tight. I also had 2 starter motors fall off; again, check the bolts and use plenty of Locktite as there is a lot of vibration in a 500 motor. IMO they're a super little car to drive (and park!) There aren't many corners you have to slow for, although you probably aren't going all that fast anyway. I never completely mastered the art of double declutching either, but the gearboxes must be very strong as I've noticed plenty being driven in Italy with graunching and grating changes. I reckon the ideal 500 would be one fitted with a 2,3,4 synchro box from a 126. You can use the idle control as a hand throttle for constant speed cruising. Thanks for posting!
1:40 no, 1965. in June they released F model with normal folding door and in 1968. they released luxury model L (Lusso) with chrome bars on bumpers and interior modifications.
It's a lovely Cinquecento that you were driving. But the F Model didn't have these little buffer-bars (i hope that's how they are called in english). But you are right that the model you were driving is a Model F. So the owner must have installed these buffer-bars. Also the withe sidewall tyres aren't original but its true that also they look very nice. Thanks for the video!
I was rather hoping someone else would step in and answer this one. I don't know is the simple answer, although suspect the earlier the better and most importantly an original matching numbers car.
+Eagle EYESHARP The early model D with so called "suicide-doors" has a much higher value than the newer models F/L/D. If you want to go for something really exclusive then you should take a look at the Abarth versions. They were built in very small numbers but normaly you find only replicas. Original Abarths are hard to find... Even in Italy!
If you want maximum collectablity the 500 Nuova with the 475cc engine, teardrop indicators and the full length soft top. There is the Jolly, ORIGINAL 500 Sport, Abarths... I guess, Gamine, the Autobiachi variants and the Puch, those are what I can remember ATM.
Now that's what I call a Classic Drive. I cant be the only one who thinks FIAT has now ruined the 500 in the same way BMW has done with the Original MINI.
My family had the ole' 500, and now owns a 2013 Sport. Amazing little car. We have to be realistic, and take into consideration safety features, emissions, modern mechanics, adrodynamics, and regulations... In the grand scheme of things, the new 500 holds some of the classic elements of fun, like the first generation of new Minis (before BMW made them obsurdly large). I would love to find a well-preserved classic 500!
ArkaelDren I agree with you on that point, I nearly took that bit of commentary out as I didn't have the turn but decided to keep it in as it made a good point. Doh! Matt.
The great Dino Meneghin (best Italian basketball player ever) once recalled having a 500 as his first car. He said he just removed the driver's seat and drove it by sitting on the rear seat. I don't know if that's just a joke but it's fun and quite plausible!
