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Beautiful 1963 Fiat 500 Giardinera Survivor- 13,000 Originial Kilometers on 2040-cars

Year:1963 Mileage:13545
Location:

San Diego, California, United States

San Diego, California, United States
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This is one of the coolest cars you will ever see.  The 500 Giardinera (the Giardiniera ("gardener") or Station Wagon) is rare under any circumstance, but this may be the nicest example in the US. It is a survivor with what are believed to be a little over 13,000 original kilometers (documentation from 1995).  This car started out in Italy, and is believed to have been owned by a mechanic in the Ferrari factory, who appeared to chrish the car. It was imported to the US about 20 years ago.  The paint is flawless, and was redone one time.  Much or the rubber is original, including the floor mats.  It even comes with license plates from Italy at the time.  (It is also registered in California).

The car starts right up, and drives like a champ.  It is a wonder of engineering, holding 4 people amazingly comfortably.  With a top speed of about 55 mph, it can be used as a real car on the weekends.  It is such an attention getter I have made a fact sheet that I leave displayed in the car when I leave because the car will always gather a crowd filled with questions.

Traditionally, Italy has always been the leader in creating beautiful, frugal family cars, able to zip through ancient Rome's smallest cobblestone side streets and park upright, if necessary. A Fiat Cinquecento, "five-hundred" (due to its engine capacity in cubic centimeters) is as Italian as Cappuccino, Amaretto, and the magnificent Pavarotti performing at the Grand Opera in Milano. Built between 1960 and 1978 and available in various body styles, this and the Jolly are the models that stand out among its peers:

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Of breathtaking versatility, the Giardiniera surely qualifies as the most utilitarian and, at the same time, one of the most fun-to-drive microcars around. Built on a Fiat 500 chassis with a 4-inch stretch, it sports many unique features, setting it apart from the garden variety sedan. Ingeniously, the little rear-mounted engine was turned on its side to help create a perfectly flat cargo area. Bigger brakes (from the Fiat 600) were installed, and a beefed-up suspension to handle heavier loads. No need to take the SUV, next time you scoot to the Megamarket to buy the family groceries for a month. Fold down the rear seat, and the Giardiniera will swallow amazing amounts of stuff !   I actually use it for this purpose on weekends.  The car is amazing.

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The Cinquecento is an open car, a very open car, actually. Pull back the full-length fabric top on a sunny day (it takes but 5 seconds), and you instantly experience the wonderful feeling of driving an exotic convertible along the shores of Lago Maggiore!  The wonderfully austere dash contains everything one will ever need in a car!
There is a Cyclops binnacle housing the speedometer, a switch for the lights, one for the windshield wipers.  Everything works flawlessly with two exceptions.  The windshield washers do not spray.  But, I did not want to replace the original rubber parts.  And, the horn has recently stopped tooting.  There is one small rust bubble in the rear door, which I have shown in the photos as well as I can. That's it.

While the doors feature large vent windows and roll-down side glass, the rear passengers can enjoy sliding windows. The Italians, used to hot summers, really know a thing or two about ventilation. Should it get cold, though, small, adjustable heater outlets on the floor--barely visible above--deliver some warm air.
Authentic red-and-white vinyl and fabric upholstery is in excellent condition. It's just like being home, in Bella Italia, back in the Sixties. Close your eyes and you might visualize swarms of Vespa and Lambretta motorscooters humming by . . .  

So where's the engine? 

Unlatch and lift up a panel in the rear, and the 18hp, 500cc air-cooled, four-stroke, parallel twin is revealed. Everything looks neat, dry, and tidy--having covered only 13,000 original kilometers (less than 10,000 miles).  I have all KINDS of goodies with it.  Almost every manual, including the original owners manual, and every book and original brochure available.  The only work of any consequence to the car has been replacement of the carb with an NOS spare. Mechanical spares are plentiful and extremely inexpensive, if needed. How about a new wheel cylinder for $5, or a master cylinder for $15? Driving a classic car does not have to be expensive.  

Another trunk!
In th front, neatly containing battery, spare tire, tank, brake and windshield washer reservoirs, there's still some room for odds and ends. Every inch of the Giardiniera can be put to use.   The car has the origninal jack and tool kit.
Fantastico! 

This car is a timeless Classic.  The popularity of the classic 500s has soared with re entry of Fiat to the US market.   Most importantly, though, driving the 500 will put a smile on your face and everyone around you. . You can't put a price on happiness, and this Fiat will make your day a happy day, every day, guaranteed!

 

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Auto blog

2017 Fiat 124 Spider questions if the answer is always Miata

Thu, Nov 19 2015

It's a popular response among fans of Mazda's iconic, compact, rear-driver roadster – the answer to any question is always Miata. With the new MX-5-based Fiat 124 Spider, though, the Italians could be set to supplant Hiroshima's finest offering. That is partially because the new 124 Spider brings us something we've long been clamoring for in the Miata. Fiat ditched the MX-5's standard-issue 2.0-liter, Skyactiv four-cylinder, and replaced it with the popular 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder from the 500 Abarth. While it's worth getting excited about the new roadster's singing voice, it's the big jump in torque that will truly transform the driving experience. Rather than 148 pound-feet, there's a meaty 184 lb-ft, a figure which is paired with 160 horsepower (five more than the MX-5). As Managing Editor Ewing explained in his by-the-numbers comparison of the two roadsters, it's this new powertrain that has the most potential to change the dynamite MX-5 driving experience. Of course, we won't know how it handles for certain until we get behind the wheel. Stay tuned for that saga. As for the looks, we'd argue that they're largely subjective. Among the Autobloggers in attendance at the 2015 LA Auto Show, opinions seem to be split, with some appreciating the Fiata's extensive overhaul while others (notably professed Miata fanatic Ewing) are set firmly against it. We'd love to hear your take on the new look. Take a peek at our full gallery of images from the car's LA debut, and then register your opinion in Comments. All-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Revives Legendary Nameplate with Iconic Italian Styling and Dynamic Driving Experience - 2017 Fiat 124 Spider returns nearly 50 years after original introduction Revival of roadster continues expansion of FIAT brand in North America - Delivers iconic Italian style with modern adaptation of original Spider legend - Powered by turbocharged MultiAir 1.4-liter engine for 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, available with manual or automatic transmission Available with an array of safety and security features, plus technologies for added comfort and convenience - First 124 units will be available as limited-production Prima Edizione Lusso Auburn Hills, Mich., Nov 18, 2015 - The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider revives the storied nameplate, bringing its classic Italian styling and performance to a new generation.

Trucks, SUVs drive U.S. October new vehicle sales

Wed, Nov 1 2017

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Mon, Feb 2 2015

Fresh off an entertaining commercial during the 2015 Super Bowl, Fiat has unleashed the configurator for its all-new 500X CUV. And like its brother, the Jeep Renegade, the 500X starts cheap, but can get expensive in a hurry. Prices for the base 500X start at an even $20,000, not counting a $900 destination charge. That'll get you the front-drive-only, base-level Pop trim, with a 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, six-speed manual transmission, 16-inch steelies with wheel covers, a four-speaker stereo and unlike its Jeep-branded sibling, standard air conditioning. Next up is the $22,300 Easy, and its standard nine-speed automatic transmission and 2.4-liter four-cylinder. 17-inch wheels come standard, as does a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six-speaker stereo and Bluetooth connectivity, a Dynamic Selector Traction Control system, cruise control and remote start. For those that want to butch up the 500X's cutesy interior, the $23,100 Trekking trim adds a more aggressive front fascia with integrated fog lights and brawny 17-inch wheels. In the cabin, "premium" cloth seats replace the standard thrones. The luxurious Lounge trim starts at $24,850 and adds a 6.5-inch touchscreen with navigation, standard heated and powered cloth seats, optional leather seats, a heated steering wheel, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a 3.5-inch color display in the instrument cluster, a rear-view camera and four different interior color options. At the very tip-top of the range, we have the Trekking Plus, starting at a lofty $28,100. Adding basically everything from the Lounge trim with the aesthetics of the Trekking, if you really want the best 500X available, this is your CUV. This was the priciest model we could configure, hitting $33,500 with all-wheel drive, the $2,600 Trekking Plus Collection 2 (forward collision warning, auto high beams, lane departure warning and a dual-pane sunroof) and the stylish, $1,000 Giallo Tristrato paint. The prices listed above are for front-wheel drive only – adding all-wheel drive bumps up the 500X's price by $1,900. Beyond that, there are a plethora of option packages available on everything from the Easy to the Trekking Plus, meaning you'll be able to drive your out-the-door price beyond even what's listed here. These packages, like on the Renegade, will add everything from luxury features, like a heated steering wheel/seats and a panoramic sunroof, to safety items, like blind-spot monitoring and a rear-view camera.