Fiat 500 Giardiniera
Fiat 500 Giardiniera was a derivative of the Fiat 500 1957, manufactured by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1960.
After the disappearance of the Fiat 500 Topolino Giardiniera, van version of this popular small car, the Nuova 500 which replaced from 1957, had no commercial version. Its small size and its mechanical layout with rear air-cooled engine seemed ordered to remain a single body model in the range.
It’s in May 1960 there appeared the Giardiniera release.
The ingenuity of its designer, engineer Dante Giacosa, allowed to develop a flat engine as the sedan had an air-cooled rear engine vertical position, which prevented any extension of the floor to create a wagon version.
Dante Giacosa then invented a flat rear engine mounted under the floor. He modified air intakes that were placed on the rear pillars and the centrifugal fan replaced by a radial fan. The engine remained the same as the new 500 Sport, the power output was reduced to 17.5hp at 4600 rpm for taking account of the loads carried.
In reality, this engine had emerged two years ago to equip the new Autobianchi Bianchina but was not accepted.
The body is completely redesigned with the resumption of the front part, to the door pillars that of the small sedan but with a radical transformation of the back, very square, with the addition of a side opening door. The wheelbase is stretched 10 cm. The side windows are rectangular and sliding. The roof is metal but can receive a canvas hood as the sedan. The suspension and brakes are adapted and strengthened and echo those of the Fiat 600. The rear seat backrest can be folded for a larger load plan.
The dimensions are more important: Giardiniera, with a wheelbase extended to 1,940 mm, measuring 3,185 m long (21.5 cm longer than the hatchback) and 1,354 m high (+ 2 cm).
The interior finish is almost identical to the sedan and enjoy the same alterations over the years.
In addition Giardiniera version Fiat also introduced a commercial version, with two front seats and a spacious loading area to the rear. The rear windows and the soft top are replaced by parts tôlées. The roof has four reinforcing ribs and can receive a gallery.
Manufacturing the Fiat 500 Giardiniera will be provided in the Autobianchi plant Desio, on the outskirts of Milan, alongside the Autobianchi Bianchina Panoramica, which repeated the same platform and engine but with a body and different finishes.
In March 1968 the Fiat 500 Giardiniera changes its name and becomes a Autobianchi. The benefit of this change to get some changes like: side air vents, steering wheel and instrument black board Autobianchi badge on the grille. The last received copies made working back panes compass.
The model ended his career in 1977 without ever having been modified to the body and having maintained its doors opening against the wind.
More than 327,000 copies have been made in Italy.
Tens of thousands of copies were also manufactured by Fiat Neckar in Germany and Austria by Fiat Steyr-Puch.
Fiat 500 Giardiniera (vue arrière)
500 avec logo Autobianchi Giardiniera
Steyr Fiat 500 Giardiniera
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