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The Fiat 500 (the "cinquecento," from Italian for "500") was a micro-sized car produced by the Fiat company of Italy.
Launched in 1957 as the "nuova 500" , it was marketed as a cheap and practical town car to combat the huge levels of congestion in Italian cities. Measuring less than 10 feet long, and powered by a tiny 479cc two-cylinder, aircooled engine, the 500 redefined the term " microcar".
Despite its diminutive dimensions, the 500 proved to be an enormously practical and popular vehicle throughout Europe.
Production of the 500 ended in 1975, although its replacement, the Fiat 126, was launched two years earlier. The 126 was never as popular as its predecessor.