1954 Fiat 500 C Topolino Belvedere

Registration: 422 UYS

Chassis:

484731 Odometer: 2,000

Transmission:

Manual MOT: Exempt

A very rare find with a lovely story

Photographic history of restoration

Lovely condition

We are delighted to offer this very rare 1954 Fiat 500C Topolino Belvedere. Introduced in 1936, the Fiat 500 was an advanced design for its day. Possibly the fore runner of a lot of cars that followed on from this design and not just from Italy. Able to boast such niceties as Lockheed hydraulic brakes, independent front suspension, and 12v electrics, the newcomer helped redefine buyers' expectations in the small car market. With a compact 569cc four-cylinder engine positioned ahead of its front axle, the baby Fiat had a somewhat distinctive snout and was soon nicknamed the ‘Topolino' (or little mouse). Reputedly capable of 50mph and 50mpg despite a modest 13bhp power output, the 500 quickly established itself as an integral part of contemporary Italian culture (a process helped by its antics at various sporting events including the Mille Miglia). Debuting at the March 1949 Geneva Motor Show, the 500C was visually distinguished by its ‘wide-mouth' grille and near flush-fitting headlamps sunk into the front wings. While under the skin, it benefited from a new aluminium cylinder head and improved heating/ventilation system. Only in production for five years, the 500C nevertheless secured an impressive 376,371 sales, there will not be many left today which makes this one all the more desirable to own.

The Belvedere was a steel-bodied three-door wagon built on the hugely successful Fiat 500 'Topolino', with the example offered manufactured in 1954. Presented in the iconic and attractive Belvedere colour scheme of two-tone grey paintwork with a Black sliding soft-top, and complementing Brown vinyl interior upholstery, power is provided by the 569cc overhead-valve inline-four engine. Chassis ‘484731’ was supplied new in its native Italy in left-hand-drive configuration and reportedly saw limited use from new. Discovered in c.2006 by the restorer, a retired Italian who owned one many years previously and had fond memories of trips around the Italian lakes, he rescued the Fiat following a long period of layup. When inspected, the Topolino was said to have been in very solid, complete, and original condition, and thereafter was provided with a comprehensive restoration across the following two years, to the original specification. The accompanying photos tell how well this was done, a credit to the talented Italian. The Fiat was completely stripped down with every part of the Topolino said to have been provided with high-quality restoration works, including a professional chassis renovation and a bodywork restoration and repaint. It has covered less than 2,500 kilometres since the completion of the renovation.

We really encourage a closer look at this charming little Fiat, we are sure you will not be disappointed. It needs to be put into a collection and enjoyed, so if you have a thing for Italian cars this needs to be owned by you. Italian car collections are not all about certain cars in red, they should be about all things Italian and in many ways this is probably a rarer find.