The iconic Fiat 500 – the world’s original city car – celebrated its 60th birthday overnight.
Rolling off the production line at Fiat’s Mirafiori plant in Turin for the very first time on July 4th 1957, the model quickly became a global phenomenon and went on to achieve cult status.
During its first production run, which ended in 1975, almost four million 500s were sold internationally, 400,000 of which can still be found on Italian roads today.
After two decades in retirement the 500 was reimagined and reborn to critical acclaim and commercial success in 2007.
Capturing the spirit, charm and personality of the original and packed with state-of-the-art technology, the second generation became a phenomenon and cult collector’s car in its own right.
2016 Fiat 500 1957 Edition with the original 1957 Fiat 500.
To date more than two million sales of the second-generation model have been achieved worldwide and the model has won more than 40 top industry awards including World Car Design of the Year in 2009.
Throughout its lifespan, and all incarnations and special editions, the Fiat 500 has always been at the forefront of automotive style and fashion.
In its most recent form, the model has led the way in car personalisation, providing a range of interior and exterior accessories and enhancements that allow buyers to tailor a car that perfectly reflects their personality and sense of style.
The 500s reputation as a style icon has just been cemented further by the curators at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
To mark the Fiat's 60th birthday, the MoMA has announced the addition of of a beige white 500 F (above) to its collection. The new addition will join an existing car collection including a 1952 Willys-Overland Jeep, 1959 Volkswagen Beetle, 1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster and 1990 Ferrari 641/2 Formula 1 car.
“The 60th birthday of the Fiat 500 may be small in stature but it’s a car that’s had a massive impact on the automotive world," said Managing Director of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK, Ashley Andrew.
“Few cars can claim to have made the same impression on popular culture and even fewer still have continued to inspire others and imbue passion for six decades.”
