Road Testing Our Classic 1972 Fiat 500

This is a 1972 Fiat 500 that we imported from Italy in 1999. It came in a wooden box that was deposited on our front lawn by a flat-bed truck. It took several hours to unpack the box. Fortunately, several students from near-by RPI pitched in and helped with the unpacking. The car, as you see it, is as it arrived. All we've done since is give it a new coat of paint.

The car is about ten feet long and the other dimensions are proportionate to this. I believe the car weighs about 1200 pounds. Its engine has about 500 cc, of course. That's where it gets its name. The engine is of two cylinders, air cooled and is located at the rear of the car. The car might barely get to 60 miles per hour if we give it a little time. I use is only for city driving and back and forth to work.

Gas mileage is excellent. We think it's around fifty miles per gallon. One local gas station owner complained that he makes more money from people who run lawn mowers.

The car is ideal for two people. Two more will fit in the back but they would have to be rather small. There is not a great deal of leg room in the back. The car has four speeds forward and one reverse. On level roads, the car can keep up with traffic but going up hill presents a problem. The engine is not strong enough to go up hill at a good speed. On my way home from work, there is a steep hill for about four blocks. I use second gear and rev the engine to about 5000 rpm. At this speed, its rate of speed is about 25 miles per hour. If there are cars behind me, I pull over to the right hand side of the road as far as I can and let them pass.

Despite the problems with this hill, I enjoy the car greatly. None of the gears are synchronized and I have to be careful downshifting, but I've mastered the double-clutching technique that is needed. Shifting up is not a problem.

The spare tire and gas tank are at the front of the car. There is a very little amount of room there also for luggage. The car has a nice little sun roof that serves as the only air conditioning the car can give us. There is a heater but we don't need to use it. When the weather begins to turn cold, we let it hibernate for the winter.

On the road, the car gets a lot of attention. If people remark how small the car is, we assure them that all is well. Our second car is a Smart Car.