1973 Other Makes Fiat 500

This vehicle is located in Denia. Spain but will be delivered to Baltimore. MD or Jacksonville. FL after the sale.  Please read the full listing and see below for complete details. and contact me with any questions you have.
NOTE:  If you have fewer than 50 feedbacks or do not live in the USA. please contact me BEFORE YOU BID or your bid will be deleted.  Thank you.

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1973 AUTOBIANCHI 500 GIARDINIERA (FIAT 500 GIARDINIERA)
ACTUAL VIN# 290982
Very low original mileage.  No rust.  Never restored.  "Blu Scuro" ("Dark Blue") over tan interior with black folding soft top.  Mechanically perfect. running and driving as new with no issues.  A magnificent example of a very rare motorcar in an incredibly appealing body style.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

With nearly its entire life spent running around the streets of Barcelona. this incredibly low mileage Giardiniera has never been restored because it has never needed to be.  It features an entirely original interior. still in beautiful shape. and a very straight. rust free chassis.  Resprayed once. nearly a decade ago now. the Blu Scuro paint has aged a bit. and there are just enough tiny dings and such to give the appearance of a completely original motorcar.  With its trademark "suicide" doors and plenty of carrying space over the rear-mounted engine. this is an immensely charming motorcar that is surprisingly useable. particularly in a modern city.

The tan interior is excellent. with no wear evident on the seating surfaces and foams firm and supportive.  Interior paint and trim is excellent. and interior chrome shows no damage.  Original floor mats are beautiful. the main gauge works perfectly. and the indicator lights and all interior electrics work correctly.

The convertible soft top shows no damage and will opens wide.  Overall. the aesthetic condition of this Giardiniera mirrors the charm of its unique personality. with light and appropriate patina throughout but everything reflective of a lifetime of careful maintenance.  A beautiful example. top to bottom.

 

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Walking up to it you are reminded of just how tiny the Fiat 500 was.  Think a Citroën 2CV is small?  Think again.  When you approach a 500. it feels like you could pick it up and put it into the passenger seat of a 2CV.  "Diminutive" doesn't do it justice.  But swing open the suicide door and slide into the drivers seat and it doesn't feel particularly tight inside the cabin. with no sense of claustrophobia.  Headroom is fine. even for my 6'1" frame.  Knee and leg room is no problem. and visibility is fantastic in any direction.  Wth a rear mounted engine and rear wheel drive. the absence of a transmission tunnel offers welcome room to the cockpit. and unlike the standard 500. you're aware of the significantly increased space behind you.

Convertible roof open. key on. lift the starter lever. and you're off!

No one will ever call the 500 a quick car. in any body style. but with little weight to lug around and the eagerness of the little half-liter motor. even 22bhp doesn't feel that bad.   Keeping up with traffic is no problem. with the only risks coming from other drivers pointing. waving. honking. and frantically sticking cell phones out of windows. trying desperately to capture your moment.  Keep your best sunglasses with you at all times. and practice your nonchalant. continental wave. because you are going to appear all over the internet every time you go for a spin.

The steering is nicely weighted. light and direct. and with just one gauge in front of you and a handful of little warning lights. there isn't much to keep you occupied except the dynamics of bombing around in such a zingy little motorcar.  Underway. the compact exterior  dimensions become quite an advantage. and nipping through city traffic is a delight.  The gearbox wants a slow hand - this is not a car to snap shift - but the linkage is seemingly much better than in the standard 500. with more positivity to the cog selection. and it shifts as original - no crunching or grinding up or down.

Power is only adequate. but dynamically it's a hoot.  The sound of the engine is pleasant. and it revs willingly.  Brakes are surprisingly powerful. perhaps because this has been fitted with the larger front units off the last of the 500 series. but mostly because there just simply isn't much mass to haul down from the relatively modest speeds.  Overall. it doesn't feel slow.  It feels. fun.

And make no mistake. unlike a 500 sedan. the Giardiniera actually has room inside of it.  Go grocery shopping. no problem!  Take a small surfboard to the beach (or a long board. and just stick it out of the roof. )  Run errands.  Take a couple friends somewhere.  The world is your oyster.

It's a heck of a lovable thing to drive.

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I am an American. living in Spain. and I export vehicles to the USA regularly.  Although shipping costs are not included in the price of the sale. I have contacts with an established worldwide shipper and will work directly with the buyer to arrange delivery to the USA.  I will drop the vehicle off at the port of Valencia for you at no additional cost. help you prepare all the proper documentation for shipping to the USA. and assist with US customs and importation on the USA side.
If you would like me to handle the shipping. customs paperwork. and everything for you. I can offer a flat-rate of $1900. port-to-port. to your choice of Baltimore. MD.  or Jacksonville. FL.  Freeport (Galveston). TX can also be arranged. but contact me first as this takes a little more time.
Once the vehicle is in your possession. you will also have all the documents you need to register the car in any of 49 states.  (California excepted. )  I can even arrange transportation within the USA. from the port to your driveway.  In short. I am here to help with every step of the process of delivering this vehicle to you.
You are. of course. welcome to fly here and test the car for yourself before you bid. but if that is not feasible. I will be happy to take additional photos. videos. etc. and send them to you.  Whatever you need.  We can speak on the telephone. or by Skype. so you can see the vehicle in real time before you bid.
If you have any questions. please ask and I will post as many answers here as possible.
For more details. see 

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