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You don’t think of Fiat 500s as being rare, but this frog eyed 1959 Fiat Nuova convertible is indeed rare. Don’t get too excited, they call it a convertible, but it just has a large (for this little car) sunroof. The 35,000 miles on this car must have been fun miles.The engine is not seized but the floor pans will need some help. Also, there is no interior except for the seat frames. Thankfully, parts are easy to find. Did you see the little guy on the dash? Wouldn’t you like to give him a new home? Bidding for this patina covered frog eye is at only $1625. You can find it here on eBay in Shawnee, Kansas.
That car looks pretty fun. Think they were copying the VW Beetle?
I doubt a car like this would go 135K, maybe, but more likely, it’s 35K because it never ran. I almost never say this, but this is the one time I’d say, put a 454 in it and turn it into a gasser.
Howard A, your comment is probably in jest, but there is no possible place for anything other than the two cylinder it came with. They are less than 10 feet long and tiny. I restored one two years ago and it was a blast to drive, but it’s a glorified golf cart.
Not a Fiat but similar in size
floor pans will need some help??? what floor pans?? cute Fiat i never heard of.
As recently as 10 years ago, roads in Italy — particularly in the cities — were teeming with these, most appearing to be in pretty decent shape. I really wanted to bring one home.
This one doesn’t make the grade for the kind of money they’re asking. It needs major, major work and the next owner will have to make some good connections in Italy to scare up some of the critical parts. And I see rust. Italian cars just love to rust!
Would much rather have one of these than a new “500.” Of course an original 500 would be cooler still!
These are really cool little cars and there is a supplier with almost everything you need here in the states. I restored one two years ago and it was in bad shape, though not this bad. My customer spent a touch more than $30,000 getting everything done right, new floors, glass, interior, paint, and everything mechanical was rebuilt. New brake lines, totally new electrical system. His car scoots really well, but they are tiny. The ad said 300 were imported, but I think the number was in the 2000s from my research. Hope whoever bought it enjoys tinkering, or he can contact me at Winding Road Classics in Conroe, TX. I wouldn’t mind doing another one.
Gee, Blake–we spent 15 years in Conroe (on the lake, at the end of 830), until 2013. Too bad we didn’t know you were around! You might have seen our ivory 356 from time to time…
I drove one of these when I lived in Italy. Perfect for the small towns and narrow roads over there. You could park them on the sidewalk in Rome, and there would still be enough room for the pedestrians to walk around them.The shifter was connected to the transmission with cables. No synchro. You had to heel toe and double clutch on the down shift. Close proximity pedals were perfect for it, especially while wearing Italian loafers. A blast to drive once you got the hang of it.
@ Craig. Now that’s what I’m talking about!!