Description
FIAT 500 Sport
The holy grail for Fiat 500 enthusiasts.
When Fiat launched the Fiat 500N in September 1957, the sales success of the new (nuova 500) was quite modest.
The reason for this was that the car had only 15 PS at 479cc and barely reached 85 km/ h.
The equipment was also meagre, no chrome, no wing windows and only 2 seats.
After Abarth in 1958 set a record with the Abarth 500, Fiat headed to the Abarth works to also increase the engines from 15 PS to 21. 5 PS.
As a result Fiat built a series of 100 closed-roof cars.
Grey paint and the red stripes were the hallmark.
It was an advertising campaign to show what a Fiat 500 could do.
The car received a longer gear ratio, from 8x41 to 8x39.
The same ratio as in the rest of the later 595 from Abarth.
In 1958 four cars were taken to the 12-hour race at the Hockenheimring and finished 1st to 4th.
No wonder when you look at the competition of the time.
Isetta, Loyd and Co. had no chance against the sheet-metal roof-reinforced 500 Sport.
Also in other races the 500 Sport achieved victories.
This offered model was driven in Bologna and then spent many years in an enthusiast’s garage.
In 2019 it was comprehensively renovated, revealing that apart from the front nothing needed replacing.
All other panels are still from 1959.
The 500 Sport has a potent N-engine with the correct number installed.
A specialist rebuilt the engine with the help of the original carburettor 26IMB 3 with a 22mm venturi and achieved remarkable results.
A Record Monza exhaust was fitted. The Sport easily reaches 120 km/ h and can be driven in normal traffic.
To improve power safety, a front disc brake was installed.
The exhaust and brakes are registered.
The 500 Sport is also suitable for long trips. Passfahrten are a real pleasure.
The Sport is for sale only to make room for something new - not out of necessity :-)
With it are the Italian papers, a history file; the Targa d’oro from ASI was issued by Enrico Bo, the Fiat 500 specialist from Club Italia.
A rare opportunity to acquire something special, in fact a museum-quality vehicle.
I enjoyed driving this car, because that’s what it was built for. Delivery 16. 7. 1959 to Fischer Dario Bologna
He raced with it.
Then in 1962 Massimo Meloni bought the 500 Sport.
Later the Sport was stored and in 2018/ 19 comprehensively restored by Gizzi Augustino.
Since 2019 in my possession and kept running with original parts.
There are many photos documenting the restoration.
