Beautiful, restored baby Fiat with coachwork by Abbot's of London
Original 1939 Motor road test demonstrator
Immaculate body and interior
Fascinating history file
THE APPEAL
Germany had the Beetle, France had the 2CV, but when it came to motoring for the masses it was the Fiat 500 that was Italy’s ‘people’s car’.
Affectionately known as the Topolino, or ‘Little Mouse’, the baby four-seater saw over half-a-million sales in the late 1930s and immediate post-war period.
This one is not only a beautifully restored example, but it’s also a very special car indeed with an incredible history. Registered in 1939 just five months before the start of WW2, the Topolino was Fiat’s UK demonstrator and included with it is a copy of a 1939 Motor magazine in which this very car is given a 500-mile road test, four-up with the writer’s family, and supposedly achieving over 60mph, much of it “over rutted, unmade roads”. It’s absolutely astonishing that it’s still with us 83 years later. hlQlgVw4civMeSjOjmx8ycpec4sg9sGjPzJgcusu.jpeg1.71 MB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Two huge files of invoices and bills
1939 Motor magazine containing road test of this very car
As you’d expect from a car whose purpose was to provide motoring for the masses, it’s hardly a haven of luxury inside the Topolino. But it’s surprisingly spacious and the dark tan leather seats have been re-trimmed to a very good standard, with matching door cards.
The floor is protected by tailored grey over mats and the basic dials and controls all work as they should.
There’s a luggage area behind the rear seat – you simply pull the backrest out and there’s room for a couple of suitcases or decent-sized boxes, including one that contains the original starting handle and wheel brace. The front seats, meanwhile, fold completely flat, allowing unrestricted access to the rear bench. ZcFatLUgl3cogSNUFgwWe9huCfSUOjSSWIeDowLr.jpeg1.45 MB
THE EXTERIOR
Fully restored in original colour scheme
Excellent throughout
Original chrome and trim
Roll-back roof
Restored back to its original colour scheme and featuring a canvas “sardine tin” roll-back roof, the Topolino is a gorgeous and charming little thing that’s guaranteed to raise a smile wherever it goes.
It’s in glorious condition and has been restored to a clearly high standard, the only flaws being some scratches to the paintwork around the tensioned bonnet stays. It has all of its original chrome and trim and it’s in good order, but with a very gentle patina that you wouldn’t want to over-restore.
On the day of our photos the weather didn’t allow us to roll the roof all the way back outside, but we were able to test the mechanism in the owner’s garage and it works fine. a77Z1pC3eCrLpKJUZTuqQfXfWbO22WgVTsexEnRa.jpeg2.31 MB
THE MECHANICS
570cc 4cyl water-cooled
Four-speed manual
Starts and runs well
Recently serviced
Tilt forward the car’s nosecone and you’ll find a tiny 570cc water-cooled side-valve four-cylinder engine that provides adequate performance for tootling round town, but must have been a feat of endurance for the Motor road tester’s epic 500-mile journey. It starts fine and chatters away happily once warmed through, with no excessive smoke. It has had a recent service and is said by the owner to drive very well.
Also included are a parts list and contact details for a Topolino specialist in Switzerland, who is said to have the best parts supply for the model in Europe – a handy thing to have!SN1xD5nJtd6wqb6ZP7L7FSW7bj6onsshQBvqtjw8.jpeg1.38 MB
SUMMARY
It’s one thing finding a car that’s over 80 years old and is in such wonderful condition, but quite another to find one with such a compelling backstory. Most press demo cars have a very hard life, but not this one. Despite the epic adventure it undertook 83 years ago, leading the Motor road tester to be gushing in his praise towards the little Fiat, it has since led a life with sympathetic owners, one of whom saw fit to restore it to its former glory. It’s a wonderful little car!
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