Not sure any classic rear engined Fiat 500s ever reached the USA in the 1960s/70s? You can see loads in the "Italian Job" traffic jams and now a new Fiat 500 has been launched in Europe.
Last week thousands of classic 500s descended on Turin for a party to celebrate the new 500s launch even though it is bigger, built in Poland, based on the Panda and now has the engine at the front Mini style! Issigonis would probably have been amused to see both the Beetle and now Fiat 500 using his innovative transverse engine, front wheel drive layout. (A Cooper style Abarth version is to follow.)
New Fiat 500 video

Fiat 500 Party in Turin photo gallery

 

I like that. I don't suppose it will get imported to the states though.

 

They are cute little nuggets. I like both old and new. Seriously doubt Fiat will reenter the US market. Who knows? I wouldn't have given a Smart a chance in Hel@...

 

I thought I read that they would possibly be imported in '09, but were unsure of where they would sell them dealerwise.
I will try to locate the article.

 

afaik... the fate of a united states bound fiat 500 is probobly shared with the fate of us bound alfa's. GM holds the cards to open mid range italian automobile sales in this country. Gm Slates entry for 09 models, however they have been talking about bringing afla/fiat back to the states since 2000... I wouldn't hold my breath.

On the flip side of the coin. The smart coming into the states and mini sales skyrocketing is good for the fiat cause.

I sure hope they come back into the states... here's a pic of my 62' project car.







It's currently in pieces but the engine is now back together.

 

Sweet. The setting is great, too. Gotta love a car small enough to park in a freight elevator.

 

Great little cars they are. Smaller than a MINI, but it's only two cylinders. I would love to have one kitted out with side skirts.

 

I believe the new edition of the Ford KA is based on the same Panda guts as the Fiat 500. Honestly I think Ford would be wise to bring that little tyke to the US. It doesn't have as much character as the Fiat, but I think they need something in that niche to make up for all their gas hogs.

 

There are at least 3 of them on O'ahu. They made a 600 (4cyl if I remember) and Abarth did all kinds of funky tuning with them.

 

Nice photo, Latka.

I love the track version of this toy!

 

Abarth made some really wild Fiats. If you look closely at the rear end you'll see there are rods that hold up the engine lid. Almost like a spoiler, but I think it was for cooling more than anything else.

I'd love to own a 500 or a 600 (or a 1000TC if I had a bajillion dollars) to go along with my Minis.

 

Are you kidding? Insuring them here would be a nightmare. In a land filled with clueless SUV drivers, I feel nervous ENOUGH in a Mini/MINI...

 

You can drive the "safest" vehicle you can find... and some a-hole in a cement truck could still clear you out easy.

I think we need more City cars here in the US. Unfortunately in the land of excess people won't want to trade in their Ford / Chevy Behemoth for anything smaller. :(

 

Yep. And that's why I'm making my stand.
Here's my new daily driver (shipping next month) that gets 60mpg. I've got another one shipping at the same time if anyone wants to join me.

 

Latka,

Sad but true. Too many folks (U.S.) still caught up in bigger is better concept. Cavernous houses w/40' main entries. Two+ SUV's in the driveway because jet skis, harleys and children's toys fill the garage.

I think there's hope, though, For example, WSJ newspaper recently ran a story about Ford's attempt to compete with Honda's new CRV, which apparently is "redefining" America's concept of SUV. I was surprised and happy to read that the heyday of the Ford Explorer is over. Sales have been off with some of these behemoths, at least.

I spent $40 to fill my MINI yesterday. WTF? I can't imagine the bill on fueling a Navigator.

BMW/MINI has proven to the world that there's success in selling small, unique, quality cars in the US market. This is in large why there's now the Honda Fit, the Yaris and several others now in the subcompact arena. Maybe the Fiat 500 could be round three of small cars making it to the U.S. shores.

Either way, I still think both the classic 500 and the new one are very, very cool!

 

2phun, that's waaaaayyyyy cool! Let's hope you have luck with the maintenance. Parts are probably scarce... right?

Love the hood graphics.

 

I think you misunderstood me... I only mentioned the size thing because I'd bet good money that American's desire for larger cars is only PART of the reason that they would never import such a car to the US. The other part is rthe safety of the car - not to the driver so much but in terms of liability to the manufacturer.

Also remmeber that not everyone that drives an SUV is "compensating" for something - there's plenty of Moms and others that drive them simply out of a sense of self-preservation. It really does make sense to me that if you're transporting, say, two or three kids, that you may want to put them up high and in a strong, steel box. Since there are so many large vehicles on the roads, I worry every time I put my kids in the MINI/Mini...

 

The Fiat 500 is the only car around that can give the MINI a run for it's money...it has sufficient heritage, public affection, and ultra-hipness to do so. If GM really does hold the key, then what if they decided to (finally get a clue) and offer the Fiat 500 in the U.S., re-tooling their dealer networks to sell and maintain the car. It'd be a similar deal to that MINI does w/ BMW, right? I do believe (and remember you heard it here first) that I'd buy one (to go w/ my MINI, of course).

 

Imago,

My position will probably come across as hypocritical, but I agree with protecting one's family... and it's logical to put them up high in a steel box. Too bad that America's runaway of excesses, including auto sizes, has forced reasonable people into an "arms race" to protect each other in traffic to a begin with. There's always been cement trucks, UPS and other large delivery trucks that smaller vehicles need to be careful of, but I think it's sad that the size of consumer autos have grown to such outlandish proportions that practical and reasonable folks have to biggie size their vehicle purchases in order to feel safe. Granted, it's a free nation, but why do folks feel they need to add the brush guard kits to their already 5-ton Excursions? Oh... wait a minute--I can answer my own rhetorical question. Some folks need brush guard kits on their Excursions because Escalades, Navigators, Hummers have become so common that they are now equal in mass, thereby negating the benefit of safety via extreme mass. So, Why not weld on some giant spikes, too?

Ok, I'm done. Sorry, folks, for all the negative blather. I still love 500's, MINIS and minis.

 

Doesn't seem hypocritical to me at all... The "arms race" comment was, I think, very well put. It IS sad, but it's also true, and I feel it every time I strap my kids into my MINI - at least the 2006 has airbags and door stiffeners and such...

As for the Fiat... It's cute, but lacks that "certain something" that the Mini has, at least to me. It's cool though and I'd love to see some show up at a car show one day - you can park next to me.

 

Love the 500 - PM me info on the car shipping in, you never know...

 

F1 racing driver Michael Schumacher's first car was a Fiat 500, here it is on display at his race car museum in Kerpen, Germany. His classic Fiat 500 has been totally restored by the Fiat company and painted in Ferrari red. (The museum also displays his various Karts and early race cars including seven of his Championship winning F1 cars).

Michael Schumacher's Fiat 500

 

Is that Tiff Needell in photo?

 

That's what I was thinking!!! Dude, you're getting Tiff's used car?!?

 

Same here.