Fiat Nuova 500 N Normale
A two-cylinder engine, four tiny seats and a roof that rolled back helped put post-war Italy on wheels.
1958 Fiat 500 at Shanghai Automobile Museum · JamesYoung8167 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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More than a set of wheels.
Fiat publicly presented the Nuova 500 on July 4, 1957 as a smaller, cheaper companion to the 600. Dante Giacosa's team placed a simple air-cooled twin behind the cabin and used a self-supporting body with independent suspension. The bare first version struggled because it was registered for two people. Fiat responded quickly: the Normale gained a padded rear seat, brighter trim and a stronger 15 hp tune while keeping the original 490,000-lire launch price.
Look a little closer.
The first 500's fabric roof opened almost the whole cabin, so a sunny drive could feel like riding in a very small picnic basket.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
A fast rescue of a slow launch
Fiat did not wait for a normal model-year change. Within months it added a usable padded rear seat, window improvements, chrome and aluminium wheel covers, while raising power from 13 to 15 hp. The Normale turned customer criticism into a clearer four-seat proposition without abandoning the cheap, simple idea.
Source: Stellantis Heritage · Fiat 500 N ↗Small by deliberate engineering
At 2.97 metres long and 470 kg empty, every system had to earn its space. The rear engine freed the nose for the fuel tank and luggage, the independent suspension helped the short car follow rough streets, and the canvas roof saved material while opening the cabin.
Source: Fiat/Stellantis Media · Preview: the new Fiat 500 ↗Where these facts come from
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed 2026-10-02.