1961 Fiat 500 D Trasformabile Bleu Scuro

Highly sought after Trasformabile variant boasting the ever-so-cool suicide doors
An early D-series car, presented in rare Bleu Scuro 456 over a Rosso interior
A nice driver's condition car, benefitting from an older restoration
Accompanied by its original "Libretto" registration document with known history from new
Comes with its original jack, spare wheel and period warning triangle and pouch

TIPO 110D.000

1961 Fiat 500 D Trasformabile

Bleu Scuro 456

Chassis no. 280864

Engine no. 317202

The Fiat 500 D:

At its initial launch in 1957, the Nuova 500 was received with mixed feelings amongst the general public. With its "bare bones" approach with respect to trim level and finish, Fiat took note of the public's critiques and decides to update its people's car in 1960. The second series Fiat 500 (named the 500 D) used the uprated engine of the 500 Sport with a capacity of 499 cc (in contrast to 479 cc in the Nuova), giving it more umpf.

The D is the last 500 to be fitted with the highly sought-after suicide doors that define the early 500’s so evidently. Together with the metal dash, fully folding back "trasformabile" roof and the 499 cc engine it can be defined as a sweet spot in the classic Fiat 500 palette. For those in the know, the first batch could be distinguished from later cars by the frivolous metal start and choke levers in between the seats (on later cars these had a simplified design with plastic cover) amongst other small differences. As with all classic cars, the smallest details make all the difference...

This Fiat 500 D Trasformabile:

Chassis number 280864 is such early D-series car as it was originally registered on the 25th of November 1961. It was consigned to Rome and fitted with registration plate RO493502. According to the car's lovely original Libretto, it passed on to its second owner in 1979 in the viscinity of Viterbo - half an hour's drive north of Rome. With this rehome, the registration number of the car changed to VI167894. The rest of the Fiat's provenance can be summarised as follow:

21/11/2003 | C. Stanges of Viterbo
17/01/2005 | R. Ciani of Viterbo
03/05/2016 | M. Tola of Bergamo

The Fiat then found its way to the Netherlands where we sourced it via an intermediary in 2022. Presented in a rarer-seen shade of Bleu Scuro 456 over a Rosso interior, a very chique specification. Its great contrast of Red and dark Blue is being highlighted by the almost compulsory white-wall tires!

The car benefits from a somewhat older restoration and respray, which makes for some lovely patina and only minor defects in the paintwork as one would expect with a 61-year-old Fiat. The interior shows very little signs of wear as the upholstery shows absolutely no cracks whatsoever. Also the Trasformabile roof is in "as new" condition.

Technically it is a very sound car with a beautifully running engine and swiftly shifting gearbox, an evidently well looked-after example! The body shows no evidence of accident repairs from the past and abolsutely no corrosian whatsoever. Its very straigth throughout with consistent panel gaps (for a Fiat - that is!) and the undercarriage has been protected with black anti-rust proofing to preserve the underside. All the original pressings, jack points and welds are still in place showing the originality of the body.

The Fiat is accompanied by its original jack, spare wheel, according fasteners as well as a period warning triangly and pouch. It goes without saying all ancillaries are fully functioning, making this specimen ready for its next custodian to use it in the forthcoming Spring and Summer!

Bite-size:

A very nice early D-series example in good driver's condition and presented in a rarer-seen spec. The original Libretto and accompanied accessories only add to this. If you're looking for one of these, this one certainly deserves to be high on the shortlist!

SALE AGREED