While the standard 500 is a very attractive little vehicle, if you had a family, or simply needed to carry a bit of luggage occasionally, it did lack a bit of practicality. 

That’s where the Giardiniera came in. Effectively a long-roof estate version of the 500, it significantly improved the car’s load-carrying capacity.

This particular car has been imported from Italy and is in good, original, unrestored condition. It’s ideal as a practical daily classic, or as the basis for a restoration project.

With a more spacious interior and larger glass area than a standard 500, the Giardiniera has a light and airy cabin environment. It makes the 500 a genuinely practical small car.

This model has had the seats retrimmed at some point. They are finished in an attractive tobacco brown vinyl, with contrasting black vinyl door cards and dark grey carpets. 

The carpets are in average condition, but all the vinyl upholstery looks to be in very good condition, with little evidence of wear and no signs we could see of damage or tears.

When it comes to the trim, instruments and switchgear, it’s all very minimal as you'd expect in a 500. But what’s there is in good condition, wearing a natural patina commensurate with the car’s age.

At the front, the luggage area contains a black liner and looks to be in good condition.

Finished in white and wearing all of its original trim and external brightwork, this charming little car presents well. 

The paint is, as you’d expect from a 50 year old unrestored car, a little rough in places. 

There are scratches and blemishes to most panels and trim pieces, some spots of corrosion and some cracked filler from previous repairs. However, this natural wear tells the story of the vehicle’s history and gives the car a genuine patination that we really love.

The basic structure of the car and integrity of the panels appears to be nice and solid – a great base for anyone looking to carry out a restoration. 

Unlike other 500 models, the Giardiniera was the only model to retain the early car’s reverse-opening ‘suicide’ doors into the 70s. They certainly make ingress and egress to the car easy.It also features that unique side-hinged, wide-opening rear door that gives access to the larger rear luggage area. 

Another distinctive feature is the full-length vinyl sunroof, offering all passengers the opportunity to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. The roof is in good condition, operating as it should.

The car sits on charming little 12” steel wheels, shod with tyres that the owner tells us have good tread remaining.

Underneath the car is in fair condition, with no visible signs of significant corrosion, wear or damage.

With its characteristic burble, the two-cylinder engine in the 500 offers perky performance and an engaging soundtrack. 

Quite unlike the standard car, in the Giardiniera it resides underneath the rear floor panel, making room for that extended luggage area.

It’s a simple drivetrain that makes maintenance and servicing possible for anyone with even basic mechanical knowledge.

The perfect classic car for anyone who loves a 500 but needs a little bit more practicality. 

Alternatively, we think this would make a brilliant business vehicle – imagine your local pizza restaurant or boutique coffee bar delivering in this darling little car.

As an ownership proposition, this makes a lot of sense: it’s eminently usable, charming, ripe for restoration and very collectible. 

For lovers of quirky Italian classics, this is too good an opportunity to miss.