July 4, 1957: The first Fiat 500 hit the Italian streets in Turin, Italy. Launched as the Nuova 500, it was marketed as a cheap and practical town car to combat high levels of congestion in Italian cites. Because of its diminutive size, the 500 proved to be an enormously popular vehicle throughout Europe and was produced until 1975.
July 4, 2007: exactly 50 years later – again in Turin – Fiat will release an updated version of its most famous car. Tiny like it’s iconic predecessor, the new 500 measures just 355 cm long (11.65 ft), 165 cm wide (5.4 ft) and 149 cm tall (4.9ft), and rides on a 230 cm (7.5 ft) wheelbase.
The excitement is palpable. Fiat is planning a huge launch to be broadcast on TV and the web.
There’s also an elaborate website where 500 enthusiasts have uploaded their own commercials for the new car as part of a contest (winners have already been announced). The website also encourages Fiat fans to contribute to 500-ology, a growing encyclopedia dedicated to the new vehicle, as well as to use a concept lab to try out their own car design ideas.
Image via Notcot.com
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