HIGHLIGHTS
- Very late Cinquecento in top-spec trim
- Extremely tidy and original
- Original book pack and history
- Perfect classic for young enthusiast
THE APPEAL
2023 is a year of anniversaries, with some of the most significant cars of all-time marking big milestones. And while 30 years of the Fiat Cinquecento isn’t as big a draw as 75 years of Land Rover or the Jaguar XK120, it still deserves to be recognised – not least because, for many of us, it’s difficult to believe that three decades have passed since Fiat returned to a name from the past with its cheeky new city car.
After all, according to www.howmanyleft.co.uk, at the end of 2022 there were only 328 Cinquecentos of the 50,000-or-so sold here still taxed and in regular use – that’s a big attrition rate for a car that, especially since the Inbetweenwers TV show, has acquired something of a cult following.
This one is one of the last. Registered in October 1998, by which time Fiat was already selling its successor the Seicento, S838 KJH was acquired by the vendor last year for nostalgic reasons, as he owned one as a youth. He loves it, but with most of his mileage being on fast A-roads and motorways, the Cinq is barely being used so he’s selling it to put the proceeds towards something bigger and more comfortable, but equally retro.
It’s a lovely little car in largely original condition, and in “posh” SX trim to boot.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- UK V5C
- MOT July 2023
- Supplied new by LC Motor Company in Gwent
- First owner for 15 years
- Original owner’s handbook
- Book pack, audio and warranty manuals
- Service book stamped to 32k
- Recent invoices for work carried out and MOT repairs
THE INTERIOR
- Bright and cheerful blue/red check cloth trim
- Really good condition with no splits or damage to the fabric
- Lovely and clean inside
- “Luxury” SX trim
- Electric front windows
- Side-hinged rear windows
- Pop-up sunroof
- Original Philips radio-cassette
- Striking ’waterfall’ dash in very good condition
- Original Fiat toolkit and spare wheel
- All dials and controls work as they should
- Spotless headlining
- Outer cover of one seatbelt buckle missing – does not affect use
THE EXTERIOR
- Finished in the imaginatively named ‘Fiat Silver’
- Great overall condition with original paint
- Wheel covers repainted by previous owner
- Good tyres all-round
- Tiny micro-bubbles on one rear arch (see photos)
- Small stone dent on nearside rear arch
- All original badges and trim
- Appears very good underneath
- Past repairs to both rear inner wheel arches, fixed with heavier gauge steel
THE MECHANICS
- 899cc 4-cyl
- Five-speed manual
- 39bhp
- Amazingly perky for such a small engine – typically Fiat!
- Starts and drives really well
- Clutch and transmission operate as they should
- No known or apparent faults with steering or braking systems
- Has just been given and oil and filter service by vendor
SUMMARY
Small cars are what Fiat does best, and the Cinquecento epitomised the company at its Nineties best. The Cinquecento is a brilliant city car, perfect for urban drivers. And with ultra-low insurance groupings, it’s also the ideal first car for classic-loving youngsters, or for those who simply want something cool and retro that will cost pennies to own, keep and run.
This is the ideal car for the boom in events celebrating ordinary cars, such as the Festival of the Unexceptional, as well as being an increasingly rare cult car in its own right.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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