Fiat is a real come-and-go auto manufacturer, at least here in the states. It’s here, then it’s gone, then it comes back again, seemingly with a lot of the same problems that possessed its last U.S. foray, and now it appears as if it’s on the way out again. Well, let’s forget about current times for now and take a trip back to 1948 and review this Fiat 500 “Topolino”. It is located in Bristol, Tennessee and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $5,600, reserve not yet met.
Offered between 1936 and 1955, the Topolino, or “little mouse” as it is sometimes called, was produced in different body styles including a two-door coupe, convertible, station wagon (estate), and a van though the two-door coupe would seem to be the most common variant. Total production volume was about a half-million copies.
Probably laid up for a bit, this Fiat is flashing some notable surface rust and the seller adds, “the car has rust in right-hand rocker panel and little on right front cowl. Rust is shown in pictures“. The floors, however, are claimed to be rot-free. The headlights are included in the sale, they have just been removed. The seller also states, “Car comes with a Bill of Sale now but I will b restoring car and should have clear title in my name.. it can take 6-8 weeks“. I can’t translate what he’s trying to say, is he selling as is, or is he going to restore it?
The biggest red flag involves the engine, the 13 HP, 569 CC, in-line, four-cylinder motor which according to the seller, “has been pulled apart and torn down so will b need rebuilt if going back original“. It’s probably in the above pictured wooden crate. There is a gear shift in place but there’s no guarantee that it is still connected to the original four-speed manual transmission. The seller suggests that this Fiat could be ripe for a hot rod conversion…
The tiny interior, what little there is, will require a makeover of some sort. There isn’t a comprehensive image but what can be seen doesn’t look encouraging. That said and considering its size, it should be the least of the next owner’s worries, especially when taking the motor matter into account.
So, restorable or a rat-rod candidate? OK, I’ll go ahead and say it, “Put an LS under the hood!” Now that that is out of the way, it seems a parts car might be in the offing too. All told, in restored form, these are cute looking (I can’t believe that I just wrote that) city cars so that might be the logical pursuit assuming that the engine issue is not too insurmountable from a financial perspective. OK, your turn, what are your suggestions for this little mouse?
I’d at least attempt engine reassembly. If not, I’m thinking Hayabusa or electric would be better swap candidates for it. Pick your poison.
People stuffed V8s into them back in the day, but that was to go in a straight line a quarter mile at a time. If you want this car now you probably want it as a streetable toy, since genuine vintage V8 – swapped Topolinos are findable (if anything more so than stock).
One of the few Fiats that didn’t go the drag strip route. Wow. That alone is incredible.
Lance beat me to it, I was about to say that they were the car of choice for the “altered” drag racing class. I saw many of them run, I think I even had a car model of one of these.
We all saw these run and built plastic models of them.
Like Lance sez, like a stock Willys coupe, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these that was stock. I got news for ya’, this is about as stock as it’s going to be, as the next owner will undoubtedly make it into a gasser. We all know, anyone that even remotely thinks of drag racing as a hobby, has deep pockets. The seller obviously knows that. Gassers are my favorite drag racers. Most of these go on a altered chassis, but are exciting to watch, a handful to drive, and 8.6 seconds@ 150 mph in the 1/4, is mighty impressive. Very cool find.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPSgQ9qo7As
Looks familiar. I believe I personally inspected this Topolino three months ago being sold by an older gentleman with a rather large collection of older Fiats in Ashburnham Ma and selling it for $6k. Certainly a “project” in the true sense of the word. The engine was scattered in multiple boxes and the most of which you see in the pictured wooden box. It was difficult to fully survey in the door hinges were fused together with rust. Much work to be done here and unfortunately anyone who undertakes it will be severely underwater financially when done. “A labor of love” can best described anyone tackling this fun car.
Restore it, and garner the most attention at any car meet.
This car takes fix-it-again-Tony into the stratosphere. It’s beyond his wildest dreams.
These were pretty popular collector cars with the euro set as recently as the ’80s, but I haven’t seen one in decades.
Ditto on the alterd drag car comments.
Sound like Fiat in USA is much like here in Australia. Here today, gone tomorrow. Very unreliable for parts backup when they decide to pack up and once again.
Tube chassis, turbo Buick V6, automatic with 3.73 gears.
I like the EV angle myself. With the recent
strides in EV technology, it could certainly
be a doable proposition. Then you could
really say that it’s quiet as a little mouse.
friend hada glass replica he built a frame for growing up in early ’70s in PR. Put a 455 motor in it and went to the drags down there. Not sure how he survived an inch never mind the 1320.
Ended: Jan 18, 2022 , 1:41PM
Current bid:US $5,600.00
[ 17 bids ]
Reserve not met