Highlights

Extensively restored since arriving in the UK
Little used since completion
Very smart dark blue with red interior
Only two registered keepers since 2004
Engine serviced and new top end gasket set fitted
Upgraded with a Fiat 126 650cc engine

The Appeal

The popularity of its modern recreation proves the brilliance of the original 500. It is ridiculously cute for a car designed with a single practical purpose: to get families about town and countryside reliably and easily.

This lovely ‘71 500 ‘Lusso’ - the luxury is the slightly better trim and chrome nudge bars - is beautifully presented in dark blue with red vinyl interior. It was first registered in Turin and spent its life in Italy before arriving in the UK in 2004. It has had just two keepers, the first until 2024.

It is in great condition because it has been little used following a restoration by the previous keeper. The red interior is a delight and the blue accents the factory standard chromework and steel wheels.

The vendor has spent the winter checking the car over and rectifying minor issues, including fitting a top-end gasket set and servicing the car. It is now ready to enjoy by its third keeper in 21 years.

The vendor says:

Having purchased the car to work on it over the winter, it is now time to move on to a new home. Wherever it goes it attracts a lot of attention and admiration. One previous UK owner, originally from Turin. A solid little car with huge character.”

History and Paperwork

First registered in Turin, Italy on 08/02/1971
Imported to the UK around 2004
First UK keeper until 2024
Vendor acquired the car from the first keeper last May
The previous keeper restored the car
Subsequently stored for 12 years in preserved condition
Last MOT in 2012 confirms the car has been little used since
Sympathetically recommissioned to make the vehicle usable again
Copy of Turin registration document
V5C in the current keeper’s name
V5C contains an error on the engine capacity, which the buyer may wish to rectify
V5C states 4995cc when standard car is 499cc and car is now 650cc
Old tax disc
Import documentation
1 set of keys

The Condition

Pretty 500 in factory-standard spec finished in dark blue
Paintwork presents well with some minor points to note due to age
Bodywork in good order with vendor reporting no signs of rust or rot underneath
Chrome front and rear bumpers with ‘Lusso’ nudge bars
Factory steel wheels with chrome hub caps
Folding vinyl roof in black
Retrimmed red vinyl interior with blue piping in very good condition
Vendor describes the interior as ‘like new’
There is a small mark on the vinyl as shown
Black carpets with protective rubber overmats
Dashboard and switchgear present well in photos and are unmodified
Leather cover to factory standard two-spoke steering wheel to improve grip
Lusso strip speedometer reading in KM
Steel spare wheel as shown
Spare bulbs

The Mechanics

650cc Fiat 126 air cooled engine (upgraded from standard 499cc)
4spd manual transmission
Left-hand drive configuration
Engine has been serviced with a new top-end gasket set
The vendor reports the engine starts readily
Sympathetically recommissioned after long-term storage

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..