Top Tips for Buying a Used Fiat 500 (1957-72)

    Cliff Chambers1 March, 2025

    Fiat 500F

    The iconic 500 truly begs the question: what price can you really put on cuteness? (Image: Stefan Graichen)

    As a country renowned for large families, Italy was hardly the place to be selling miniature cars. Yet, the most successful Italian model of the 1950s was tiny and no one cared.

    Fiat’s 500 Nuova - or ‘new’ – model appeared in 1955, with enough room inside (just) for a family of five and space in the boot or on the roof for luggage.

    The rear-mounted engine had twin cylinders and produced a meagre 9.7kW, while the official top speed was 90km/h. Given Italy’s legendary love of fast cars, there were of course ways and means of encouraging the 500 to go faster. 

    But perhaps a bigger attraction for most buyers at a time when fuel had become scarce and expensive, was the 500 Nuova’s modest consumption of just 5.0L/100km. 

    1968 Fiat 500F Berlina

    The 500's fold-back sunroof has become one of its most defining features (Image: Classic Car Auctions)

    Australia saw its first 500s in 1957, featuring rear-hinged doors and a fold-back sunroof that exposed the entire passenger area. Three years later, a 500D version appeared with a 499cc engine producing 13kW, along with interior improvements and a smaller sun-roof. 

    At the same time, Fiat added a Giardiniera station wagon to the range that would accommodate two adults plus a clutch of smallish children and extra luggage. To provide a flat floor, the engine was mounted horizontally under the luggage area.

    In 1964 and with a new 850 sedan about to appear, the 500 disappeared from Australian showrooms. However, the success of Honda’s N360 and similar micro-cars encouraged Fiat to give the 500 another go in our market, returning in 1969 with the 500F which boasted better seats and wipers and a 16kW version of the 499cc engine.

    The 500F’s four-speed manual gearbox still lacked synchromesh but was easy to use and the drum brakes were literally the size of saucers.  

    Fiat 500 Giardiniera

    The introduction of the Giardiniera wagon brought additional practicality to the 500, particularly with its horizontally-mounted engine allowing for a flat boot floor (Image: Rudolf Stricker)

    Not a lot could go wrong with the rudimentary Nuova though and with so many sold, most parts remain available. A moderately skilled home mechanic can do most repairs too, with the engine easily unbolted and the body lifted over it. 

    Checking that the car you choose hasn’t suffered rust or crash damage followed by some shoddy repairs is essential. Also, try to check that the sunroof lets in rays when open and excludes water at other times. 

    Nuovas aren’t exactly scarce cars in Australia, but our stocks are nothing like the numbers found in Europe where they remain valid as everyday transport. As likely survivors of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Age, some can be expected to still be running in 40-50 years.

    Prices in our market did reach extreme levels some years back, but vendors have become more realistic. Excellent cars still manage $35,000 which is lot for a tiny car that was built in its millions, but what price can you really put on cuteness?

    1966 Fiat 500F

    The mechanical simplicity of the 500 meant there isn't much to go wrong on them, nor anything particularly challenging to fix if you're a home mechanic (Image: Vauxford/Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)

    Things To Watch Out for When Buying a Used Fiat 500 (1957-72)

    • Body twists due to poor crash repairs

    • Sunroof not sealing properly and water entering cabin

    • Engine wear signified by blue exhaust smoke

    • Gearbox whine at constant speed

    • Sagging front suspension means transverse spring needs replacement 

    • Correct size tyres may need to be sourced overseas

    Valuation Timeline: Fiat 500 (1957-72)

    🛠️ Timeline

    1985
    $1,250
    1995
    $4,500
    +260.00%
    2005
    $7,000
    +55.56%
    2010
    $12,500
    +78.57%
    2014
    $16,500
    +32.00%
    2020
    $27,500
    +66.67%
    2025
    $32,500
    +18.18%
    500F (1969-72)

    Investment Rating

    7 / 10

    Cliff Chambers

    Writer & Head Valuer

    At age 14, surrounded by stacks of motoring magazines from the local junk shop, Cliff Chambers was warned by a concerned mother that he would ‘Never get anywhere knowing a lot about old cars.’  Seventeen years later when his definitive book, Making Money From Collectable Cars was published, she was proud to be proven wrong.

    That was in 1987, but Cliff’s life was already revolving around all things automotive. From working part time in a panel shop while at university, he moved to motor industry consultancy roles and managing a Championship winning rally team.

    During the 1990s he joined the classic vehicle insurance industry, at the same time becoming a prolific writer for magazines and motoring websites. Then came his ongoing contribution as one of the country’s leading vehicle valuers.

    Away from work, automotive events and objects remain prominent in Cliff’s world. He has owned more than 40 cars now considered ‘classic’ and within his collection of motor-related items there remain some of those magazines acquired as a fact hungry teen.

    Cliff brings to Retro Rides a blend of unique industry skills and a love of vehicles that will become more obvious with every contribution he makes to the site.

    More inRetro Rides Originals

    All VW Bus generations from 1950 to today

    Celebrating 75 years of the Volkswagen Bus 

    The iconic Volkswagen Bus has been moving people and goods worldwide since 1950. The success of the VW Bus is unique in automotive history, standing as a symbol of the ‘economic miracle’ that was post-WWII Germany, of the hippie movement, and to this day of reliability, freedom and adventure.

    Modern Classic Cars Foundation

    How the Modern Classic Cars Foundation is addressing the classic car skills shortage

    As the automotive industry looks to include more technology and computer-controlled systems in cars than ever before, the nature of mechanics’ jobs is changing. As a result, the skills required to work on old cars are at risk of dying out, although one Sydney-based charity is looking to change that.

    Datsun 1600 Sedan

    Top Tips for Buying a Used Datsun 1600 (1968-72)

    When it arrived in the late ’60s, the Datsun 1600 boasted strong levels of standard equipment, a grunty four-pot engine, front disc brakes and independent rear suspension, positioning it closer to a BMW on paper than any of its Japanese contemporaries.

    More inEuropean

    Renault 5 Turbo 3E

    The legendary Renault 5 Turbo returns as an electric ‘mini-supercar’

    Renault is billing its new, electric R5 Turbo as “a beast of a car built for rallying, drift and track performance, adapted for the road”.

    BMW 2002 Turbo

    Rear View: BMW 2002 Turbo

    Weighing just over 1000kg and punching out a lively 127kW and 241Nm from its force-fed 2.0-litre four-pot, the pugnacious BMW 2002 Turbo briefly terrorised far bigger and more powerful machines on German autobahns during the early 1970s.

    1933 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Figoni

    Classic Alfa Romeos claim top honours at Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance

    Alfa Romeo took centre stage at the 2025 Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, with one particularly stunning example of the Italian brand’s heritage claiming top honours.

    Get The Latest

    Sign up for the latest in retro rides, from stories of restoration to community happenings.

    By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.