Fiat 500 - The Original Small Car - James May's Cars Of The People - BBC

[@mrtomlovin]

My parents drove a 500. For their honeymoon. 700 km thru Italy. Back and forth. With luggages. Buying souvenirs and stuff for friends and family along the honeymoon. Including a chandelier. Which they bought when the journey was almost at the beginning. That car must be some kind of tesseract.

[@keisuketakahasi4584]

lol i thought a colt for 2 persons for 4 days and some things bought was much

[@sivi8272]

I do not know about the cars where made in Italy .... but those car were made in Argentina also and there follows it is own history. That is one of most loved cars by argentineans and after a hard and long life of 60 years one of those cars can go from patagonia to alaska an back. That is an argentinean FITITO :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5W6c4GGfMpnn80

[@mrtomlovin]

@@sivi8272 nice but that's a Fiat 600, a bigger (let's say so) model.

[@NardoVogt]

My wife and I had the same experience with a Fiat 500 - but a new one. From Vienna to southern germany with all the stuff you need for a wedding, getting wed, packed the car full with wedding presents, drove into the mountains and then ... back 600km to Vienna. We are talking suitcases, plants, a concrete block (don't ask) left-over food from a whole wedding... I don't know how the italians do it, but the term "The car is Full" just don't seem to apply to Fiats.

[@xano2921]

@@sivi8272 Argentina is just Italy v2 :')

[@viktorianas]

Italians... had to make the car as cheap as possible - yet still did not compromise on style and looks.

[@didisound5516]

PUOI DIRLO FORTE!!! W L'ITALIA!!!

[@Patrick.Weightman]

It would've been dead in the water if it looked poorly

[@Maubald]

the style is one of the few good things we have ...😂🙏 (And also the food of course 😋)

[@Patrick.Weightman]

@@Maubald Nah. Bread noodles, cheese and tomatoes gets pretty old pretty quick no matter how you dish it up

[@Saminkio]

Thurnis Haley nah, we also have a lot of Mediterranean fish, a lot of meat, pasta and other dough based products and a wide variety of vegetables and spices dawg

[@Helmut-Von-Liechtenstein]

I remember becoming obsessed with this car because of Lupin The third. The car looks like a lot of fun

[@doctordoom02]

You've got good taste, and my respect sir.

[@joelikespotatoes8321]

Lupins fiat is secretly the arabath version. In Cagstriostro the engine pops out the back like an arabath and in part 5 if you look closely it has the arabath badge. Also like James said the og is slow as shit, you aint evading the cops like that.

[@ShadowD.Joestar]

@@joelikespotatoes8321 Knowing Lupin, he most likely had it suped-up/modified. Cagliostro was made in 79.

[@thebidenchannel909]

What about Luigi

[@jakescartoons6045]

I was wondering when someone was going to reference Lupin III.

[@hellcat1988]

I have seen people in america that are wider than that car. Edit: I seem to have to add that it's intended as a joke cause there are a lot of butthurt people responding in the comments. Sure it's true, but it's still a joke.

[@vtecpreludevtec]

All wallmart ppl!

[@erasmus_locke]

I've seen people in Britain that are wider than americans

[@beerrunner8153]

Too funny.

[@vtecpreludevtec]

+Beerrunner81 in America a car that size comes w a happy meal

[@beerrunner8153]

Mike Berg Why? So they can blow out the side windows?

[@ericdragone238]

I keep expecting either Hammond or Clarkson to interrupt in a Lamborghini, imploring him to stop being so sensible

[@MrTruth111]

Or drive across that Fiat with a Range Rover classic:)

[@Leon_der_Luftige]

Well if they raced through this ancient city, the Fiat would have won.

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

What's sensible if shoving a VTEC into that thing and flying around with a psychotic 160 hrsprs.

[@elobiretv]

Nothing sensible about driving a car with 17hp

[@dragospahontu]

@@MrTruth111 Or drop a piano on top of it.

[@bassamry]

this video alone beats the current Top-Gear

[@1738-l1j]

true

[@110_Octane]

preach

[@SnazzBot]

But it was never on Top Gear.

[@conorbuckman340]

That's the point

[@gerardmontgomery280]

Urinating on an electric fence beats the current Top Gear.

[@TheSFMCreators]

Growing up makes you realise James was the best presenter all along

[@kl75182]

The entire Cars of the People series was a television marvel, he became my favorite presenter. The documentary style segments are the best, this, the Lancia-Audi rivalry, the Jim Clark segment, all terrific.

[@LOVEMUFFIN_official]

@@kl75182: Have you looked at any of James's other content? "Man Lab" and "Toy Stories" are both fantastic as well.

[@Lilirik]

I've been feeling like this for a while now! Funny to see people having the same train of thought.

[@iaw7406]

They are all as good imo. Thats why it works.

[@NardoVogt]

Count me in. We all came because of the humor of clarkson and hammond... but nowadays May just produces the best content of all three of them.

[@thetman0068]

"Absolutely chuffing piccolo!" I don't think a more British statement has ever been uttered.

[@Vylkeer]

The Mad Gentleman although, to fully respect Italian grammar, he should’ve said “piccola” as we do have genders for nouns in Italian and car is feminine :)

[@jimtaylor294]

@@Vylkeer Aye. All Cars are lasses ;-) .

[@tankmaverick99]

I disagree. A third of that entire sentence is Italian

[@HeavyMetalLukex]

@@Vylkeer I reckon he did say "piccola", just with a very thick British accent

[@Vylkeer]

HeavyMetalLukex Could also be.

[@TheItsmegp46]

I remember this car in Greece. Back in 1972 we were four 6ft + teens with long legs cramming into a Fiat 500 taxi.

[@studiocalder818]

Legends from the past. I remember in late 70s' I met over there 4 Italians like me on vacation, wandering around the Mediterranean islands on a 500 L (Lusso!), luggage on the roof. My friend and I on an old lovely aggressive Giulia Gtj. We joint and run about together. Well, it was hard to keep pace with them, but that little devil was unbeatable in certain passages up to the passes, white roads, small villages; and it was really fresh (open sky, engine at backside) compared to the roaring Alfa.

[@samharper5881]

the sausage fest car :(

[@innos1951]

@@nismocash989 shut yo dumbass up

[@nismocash989]

@@innos1951 kid go protest your gay rights this month with yoh fornite playing azz 😂

[@TraustiGeir]

​@@nismocash989 Now that's what I call "edgy".

[@Rasbiff]

I remember being in Rome and seeing more of these original 500's than I had expected. A lot of them were beautifully maintained and driven by older, dignified Italians.

[@thetemptedvida8650]

Because in Rome is impossible to find a parking spot, so it's better to drive a small car. Probably you saw a lot of people driving Smart too

[@Rasbiff]

@@thetemptedvida8650 Oh the practicality of small cars in Rome is something I definitely noticed and understood, it's just that I hadn't expected to see so many *well-maintained old 500's.*

[@ramjb]

@@Rasbiff if by this stage you still have a Cinquecento is because you're taking tremendous care of it. Same thing applies in Spain to those who have 600s (the spanish version of the italian Cinquecento): whoever has one he keeps it in pristine condition. Though there are nowhere near as many 600s here as 500s in Italy.

[@plexone3540]

@@ramjb FIAT 600 is just the bigger sister of the successful FIAT 500 not a spanish version, they were both designed and projected by Ing. Dante Giacosa. The 600 it was produced in several countries including Spain and it was a quite popular car in the sixties

[@torstenscholz6243]

@@plexone3540 Yeah, the 600 was also produced in Yugoslavia as the Zastava 750 and was very popular there as well, and even in Germany it was produced as the NSU-Fiat Jagst at some point.

[@Any_Friday]

One of the finest cars ever built, pure simplicity. I wish modern cars would learn to find a line between simplicity and complexity

[@XH1927]

If they did that, they wouldn't be able to charge thousands for dealer services or take advantage of planned obsolescence.

[@mkshffr4936]

Wouldn't be legal. Nanny wouldn't have it.

[@MJ-uk6lu]

Toyota Aygo?

[@piperalpha5514]

My school teacher had one of these gems. I remember on a school camp she we were driving down a country road with all the school kids standing on the front seat hanging out of the sunroof. Oh happy days.

[@Nick-GR]

Simple, smart, innovative, cheerful and fun to drive. Italian engineering in a nutsell.

[@vincenzodibernardo9903]

Of course, my sith lord

[@reapertalon]

Well for the original fiat yes. But now it's more about flash pizazz and most of all PERFORMANCE

[@cagasbura420]

as an Italian, I really appreciate James pronunciation of Italian words

[@jimtaylor294]

Yes. When I first saw it, his pronounciation of "479" - not in this clip - stuck with me immediately.

[@polloloci21]

I have 1971 500 that I drive in the USA and people go absolutely bonkers for it. A few extra things to know: -12” rims -498cc engine -Transaxle without synchros (so you have to rev-match) -5 gallon fuel tank -Less than 2 quarts to change the oil -Top speed is around 50-55mph, but at that speed the cloth top is going crazy.

[@marcellovia.5942]

I used to own one and now I drive a new Fiat 500. Loved my 1968 Fiat 500 and my 2018 Fiat 500 also.🇮🇹

[@taniakrause9253]

I totally understand you. At the moment i drive a 2011 Fiat 500 Twin Air. A fine car. I just orderd last week the new electro Fiat 500.

[@torstenscholz6243]

@@taniakrause9253 I also own a new Fiat 500. Really great car, comfortable, surprisingly roomy interior and trunk, and, despite Fiat's poor image, very reliable. And the design is awesome and attracts both men and women. Imho the new 500 is the first retro car that at least comes close to resembling the charm of the original - unlike those ugly, bloated hipster transport vehicles that call themselves New Mini or New Beetle, but only marginally resemble the originals.

[@wickedwillows8494]

I currently own a 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth and absolutely love this car. It's plenty peppy enough, rumbles like a mini dragon, it has been exceptionally dependable. The sport button changes the beast entirely. Would I trade my Fiat? Only for another one.

[@gangstagarf]

@@torstenscholz6243 Funny u say that lol, both the new mini and new 500 were designed by the same guy

[@noahh914]

@@torstenscholz6243 That's why they've been building them for 15 years now without any major changes. They actually were successful in building a retro car that not only carries the same spirit but also plays the same role in terms of being a people mover, just as its predecessor.

[@kenmayfield3739]

I had the pleasure of owning 3 of these vehicles, on separate occasions. Absolutely wonderful; cheap, easy to drive and comfortable! And this is from a long time Jaguar owner!

[@rockinchimp]

Always wanted one, though I would go for the Abarth 595 which has a humongous 28 HP.

[@BabaShrimp69]

lol

[@durotube59]

Yes, if you're ready to spend ten times the cost for an original one. Or you can do one of those cheapo, unoriginal "things" by putting an engine by a Fiat 126 (26-30 HP) in a normal 500 and add some go-faster stripes.

[@rockinchimp]

durotube59 I am ready... Haha.

[@durotube59]

Pro's of a 500+126engine transplant: very cheap and you get a synchro gearbox. Against: brakes and suspension are from a 18HP car. Beware! Anyway, true original Abarth's are rarer than hen teeth (they were almost all raced, exploited to death and mostly run into ditches or walls sooner or later), so they command stupid money today (Porsche territory).

[@rockinchimp]

durotube59 Still ready, they are worth more than the money attached.

[@agricolacastelgrosso1933]

one of my friends owns one, and let me say it's incredibly fun to drive. It does not have synchronized gears, so u have to shift with a "doppia debraillata" or else the gear box will make an horrible sound and grind himself to heaven. But guys, driving the cinquecento on secondary roads give u the time to appreciate the landscape, the time to think, the time to feel relaxed

[@joshjlmgproductions3313]

70 hp in a car like that? That must be actually decently quick. Edit: Oh, 17...

[@mouldy5156]

same

[@sandrobindelli5607]

JoshJLMG Productions 17 HP. Anyhow as you might expect from us Italians the old 500 was a classic to modify...typically models with a Lancia 1300cc V4 twin cam were pretty common and that made the little 500 a superfast (and deadly dangerous) monster with 86Hp on 530kg....that's a power/weight ratio around 0.42 Hp/Kg more or less like a Ferrari 458 Italia. :-D Consider that back then, in the late '70, there were no rules on seatbelts and you could drive legally after 2 liters of red wine and you have a picture of what the place was like :-)

[@joshjlmgproductions3313]

@@sandrobindelli5607 Holy crap, that is a death trap.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

No problem just supercharge it

[@filip2529]

Whait wasn't it 70?

[@AlpineCorpus]

Know there’s a few Lupin III fans hovering around here.

[@Zenigotcha]

Yerp we do exist. The new movie looks epic and the Fiat 500 from the trailer clips looks sooooo realistic. Rest in peace Monkey Punch tho :(

[@michaelhardy9264]

The reason i want a new 500 is because of lupin the third. Sadly, it won't climb hillsides.

[@okathebakerpon5788]

Eyy, you found us!

[@stefanoballiero8319]

​@@michaelhardy9264 there's all sorts of tuning for that little car, I have seen some 500 that may even go to the moon🚀 😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKrCpJl-bax-mNE kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaq6e4h8o7aXbbc

[@Lupinthe3rd.]

I love my fans

[@DrCharlesMontague]

This was a remarkable transition in this episode, from the dreary Beetle and Trabant to this beautiful Fiat that immediately makes you feel optimistic.

[@canadiancrafter5100]

This is my dream car. Probably because of Lupin the Third.

[@valenesco45]

yea i remember that!

[@BenCol]

Same. Though I doubt the Fiat 500 can drive up cliffs in real life, alas.

[@ggerely]

Come visit us in Malta we have 3 for sale atm, bargaining is a must ;)

[@Zenigotcha]

Lupin the Third is amazing!!! They released a new movie of this month!!! Gotta wait for it to be either subbed or dubbed in English.

[@tonyvolpino3231]

@@BenCol I had one when young, back traction, so light and not to much power was going anywhere uphill even with snow! In Italy we use to say , when you arrive with your car the 500 maybe later will arrive too but where the 500 can go nobody can!

[@lordjay7530]

boys: hey that's Luigi from cars! men: hey that's Lupin the 3rd's car!

[@0w0taku87]

Ah, I see you're a man of culture as well

[@animeflvray4208]

They didn't even know that Luigi from Cars are actually Inspired on Lupin iii fiat 500 with the same color

[@alostbird72]

Kobeni's car

[@ThompsonMaple]

Little side note, it wasn't until I think Castle of Cagliostro that Lupin started driving a little Yellow Fiat 500 (I've seen the years vary from 1965-1968) Prior to that movie Lupin drove a Mercedes Benz SSK.

[@ThompsonMaple]

@Aly H You're thinking of Clarisse's Magenta car from the chase. That was a 2CV. Lupin's car was a early-mid 60's Fiat 500.

[@captsaison9343]

Boy does this bring back memories. I was a NATO officer stationed in Southern Italy for four years. Used to see these little cars all over the place. And the local Italians would manage to stuff their entire family into one of these. Looked like sardine packing. Ha. Ha. Ha. They would fly down the road with a list to one side or the other from all that weight.

[@TraustiGeir]

LOL! That must've been a riot to watch.

[@Johnsormani]

I have one of these since 12;years. Love to commute with it to office in the summer. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it

[@chimedemon]

* *Lupin III theme kicks in* *

[@Josh-hf]

This video was taken in the city where I live: CHIERI near Turin, Italy! ❤️❤️❤️🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@nicoloferrarese]

♥️

[@giumar74]

San Giorgio Church!!!

[@jmfm-r2q]

I love Turin I have skied there 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@igorfattorel5427]

Pensavo fossero in toscana lol

[@epicbrawlstars5519]

Mama Mia

[@goofygoober4205]

Mans got the Lupin ride 💀

[@counterfan90]

In Spain, this car was made under licence by Seat, and it became an icon for us. It was one of the first projects made to take Spain away from the postwar harsh years. Everybody could afford one.

[@kevinbuja4373]

They ARE fun, brilliant little cars. My good friend in Italy has one and they are a blast to bop around in.

[@farhadhossain5067]

It's Luigi from Cars

[@heedneed-arcade5977]

Farhad Hossain nooo, really? I had nooo idea

[@verdevanvederan7204]

Onterio Arcade, you should’ve known if you seen the movie

[@MrElis420]

@@verdevanvederan7204 You missed that he was being sarcastic lol

[@Tony-112]

Farhad Hossain Pit Stop?

[@Alex-jn1ez]

And in cars 2 the news reporter was a Tesla model s

[@michaelpibostherapyrecipes5699]

If I'm being honest, I'd love one today. It's a beautiful town car, no stress, great fuel efficiency

[@SakunaSwonaChannel]

I miss the old Top Gear!

[@timothysheppard2558]

So do I.

[@SakunaSwonaChannel]

The old top gear, the one with Clarkson & Co.

[@CT37BN]

The Grand Tour coming out in November.

[@SakunaSwonaChannel]

Oh yes! Can't wait thanks

[@10babiscar]

do you realise this wasn't on top gear?

[@Vylkeer]

An original Mini vs 500 comparison wouldn’t be bad. Btw the 500 came out in the late 1950s and truly represents the Italian style :) The nowadays version isn’t bad at all and the 500 Abarth is rather powerful. Definitely has more than 17HP :P

[@Jo3man96]

My uncle and aunt have one. To get in the drivers seat, i have to make sure I get in in a particular way, otherwise my legs are both on one side of the steering wheel. I think they’re fantastic, I hope I get a chance to drive theirs one day.

[@dzonikg]

This was every 3th car on the streets in Yugoslavia in 50s and 60s.. ..because it was produces here as name Fica iz Zastava and one milion were sold ..there were 2 motors with 750 ccm with 25 hp and 850 ccm with 32 hp...and there was kombi version

[@blinski1]

You mixed it up with the Fiat 600.

[@dzonikg]

blinski you are right..i mixed it with fiat 600 but they look very similar

[@erasmus_locke]

3th

[@FalertTheDim]

Recently bought the modern version for the missus. Glad to say it retains a lot of the charm and fun that May describes, save that it is now larger, safer and (thankfully) quicker. Would definitely recommend.

[@kristianstipe]

I drive one too. I wanted a small car that was also cool. I love it. And I love that James May loves it.

[@MrSilnev]

It's funny, though May doesn't like the modern 500.

[@kristianstipe]

@@MrSilnev It was the diesel version he tried and didn't like.

[@l5vdi]

2:53 such a bad parking job xD

[@trythinkingforachange4201]

They didn't show the finish.

[@altergreenhorn]

no it is proper italian you just push the other car back and park assuming the other car is also from italian guy and didn't use a parking brake

[@sergiofreitas9368]

@@altergreenhorn haha yes, that's also classic Spanish parking, bumping into the car in the back and the front are your best parking sensors lol

[@Hadrexus]

and a very convenient cut lmao

[@mariussdani]

i was searching for this comment

[@joany7475]

I just watched the movie “Italian Job” from 1969 and these little cars were everywhere. They are much smaller than my Fiat Pop 500. On a side note, not many of us Americans drive them. ☹️

[@chris65ktm]

20$ says he sells tires in a small town called radiator springs

[@paperluigi6132]

$50 that it’s probably a getaway vehicle that gets destroyed every other heist

[@bosvigos9165]

I learned to drive in one of these in 1969 in Guernsey. The perfect car for little roads. Loved it!

[@SilverOwU]

(Lupin III theme is playing from somewhere)

[@thegoods1r694]

Lupin the 3rd sends his regards

[@thimble288]

One of the best designs ever.

[@turboking9238]

Anyone else feel like getting in a thrilling car chases, just remember to bring some swinging jazz.

[@laustinspeiss]

My sister had one as her first car in about 1969... She was still learning,nand got stuck/stalled in a 4-way junction ! I was only about 14, but could start and drive to get her out of trouble from the passenger seat !

[@matteoangelini8284]

My grandpa bought one in 1970 with the same color of lupin the third, he actuvely used it until last year at wich point he had to stop because it wasn't in line with some laws, but it's still parked outside our home attracting tourists, gotta say it, that's one hell of a car

[@11Kralle]

The Trabant always reminded me how nice it is to ride my bicycle.

[@MetalTrabant]

When I see miserable bicyclists on a rainy autumn day, or a freezing winter day, it always reminds me, how nice it is to have a Trabant...

[@Handyman1199]

I bought my trabant to have a fun, small daily driver, and to wrench on it...

[@slome815]

Exept for the weird pedal placement, and the non existant leg room in the rear seat, it's really not that bad.

[@jimtaylor294]

A Bicycle was / still is: • Far cheaper. • Easier to park. • Doesn't require a licence at all. • Doesn't take decades to reach the customer. • Has free air conditioning. • Doesn't belch out smoke like a naval destroyer... or a volkswagen ;-) .

[@FSXNOOB]

Cutest car in human history :)

[@qerwerg2341]

The Peel P50 is a good candidate, too....

[@windoak2113]

And the bmw isseta

[@kqvinhd1998]

Like a pretty Beatle

[@kanazamkniety7705]

pfff how about trabant or yugo? this thing is alot cutier

[@56squadron]

You're all wrong... it's the Morris Minor

[@Joker-yw9hl]

I'd love to see the 3 of them on the Grand Tour doing one of their budget challenges where they have to drive old classics. James in this fiat, Jeremy in something like a Ford Cortina and Richard in an old mini, involving lots of off-roading and long distances across some tricky terrain and challenging surfaces

[@tadzionl]

I'd pity the cars then. Such a trip already cost the life of a classic Jaguar.

[@Joker-yw9hl]

@tadzionl I agree 100% actually. Not sure what I was thinking in my original post. Keep the classics safe and unharmed

[@tadzionl]

@@Joker-yw9hl Apologies accepted.

[@tadofficial1563]

Nobody: Lupin the iii: drive’s the fiat 500

[@Deadsphere]

This is the car Lupin The Third has run from Zenigata from for over 50 years in.

[@firefightergoggie]

I've had the pleasure of driving one here in Australia and the they are indeed a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it.

[@biponacci]

I never knew the 500 had suicide doors!

[@TheRobweb]

only the older version

[@biponacci]

Yeah, that's what I meant...

[@georgejacob3162]

Very early models had suicide doors. Later models had regular doors. They even made van (Furgoncino) , estate/station wagon (Giardiniera) and a 'people carrier' called the Multipla! The Multipla came out in the late fifties and had suicide doors too!

[@ThomasFarquhar2]

TheRobweb I didn't ethier

[@borivojetravica569]

@@TheRobweb And how look models after 😂???

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

And in first gear it is amazingly good off-road. I loved mine.

[@gearbox3773]

The Fiat 500 1st serie is so iconic that new 500 has same glass inclination and same proportion. This is why new 500 is so apreciate. She has the same spirit and glamour of her grandmama

[@Editor_Hound]

2:55 "...you can squeeze expertly into any gap"...that's a point, James!

[@TheDorianTube]

Fun Fact: In some small towns, you can still see one of these going around, rare, but not super rare. 20years ago it was even a 'meme' car among the youth. I had a couple of hippie friends that wanted to get their hands on one of these lol.

[@abramo7700]

One of my favorite italian cars apart from the Alfas.

[@GiulioImparato]

my father's family did Milan to Naples trips in that thing (2 adults , 3 kids and around 870 km! )

[@lupodelupis3672]

Complimenti! Oggi solo il pensiero di fare l'appennino su un cinquino mi farebbe impressione ;)

[@xendark]

I have today's remake of the 500 and i love my car.

[@gianluca_ruggieri]

Thanks for pronouncing so well ing. Giacosa’s naming, we miss him so much

[@mimigottfried8604]

As a proud owner of the cutest orange colored Fiat 500 L Cross Plus, I am loving this journey down the memory lane.

[@marcoantonielli870]

Mio padre acquistò una Fiat 500 nel 1966 quando io nacqui, abbiamo viaggiato in quattro persone per 15 anni, io, mio padre, mio fratello e mia madre, siamo andati in ogni luogo con questa macchia senza mai avere problemi, era una autovettura molto affidabile, economica e semplice. Bei ricordi. Marco

[@od1452]

You probably weren't even born when these little cars came out. I think its great that you can appreciate them. When I was a kid in the fifties ,I was fascinated by the small European cars that I would see down town. ( I still am.) They had a popular following.. this was before safety laws stopped their import. Thanks.

[@WyvernApalis]

Imagine you throw one of those 240KW electric motors in the back instead of the engine Extreme wheel spin

[@MrRonny6]

The game BeamNG lets you do just about that!

[@jorge8596]

I reckon you'd flip it if you put grippy tyres on the rear (assuming that with the engine swap you make it rwd because of simplicity and logic)

[@stardust6773]

A simple life could be one of unalloyed joy... this is so true

[@ariichinaga5848]

One of the best shows produced by the BBC, damn I miss Top Gear :(

[@sdolman79]

Shame this clip isn't from Top Gear.

[@mariahlasher7383]

I have had a Fiat 500 for 8 years now. I LOVE IT STILL. Fun to drive and good on gas.

[@slckb0y65]

funniest thing is, a true petrol head will love that car as much as a classic mustang or ferrari, it's not only an icon, but a genuinely great little car, not to mention a terrific base for a restomod

[@ggerely]

Easy to work on, parts cheap as chips and incredibly simple design makes it a very desirable restoration project indeed. Only downside is probably resale value, they don`t fetch that much over here even mint condition.

[@Ale_giro]

ggerely where are you from?? If you find a cheap 500 in mint condition as you told us, under 5000€, tell me where and I'll buy few. I think you're not from Italy.... Because a rusty 500 here, maybe without documents and/or plates and/or gripped engine, it's 3000 up to 4500€..... Cheap? Not at all.... At least here!

[@ggerely]

@@Ale_giro I meant parts are cheap enough and it does not have great re-sale value. I am not far from italy and never said you'd find a mint for 5k. I said once you restore one they can't make too much profit because they are cheap, a mint is around 15k here. But if you find one to restore for say 3k then spend another 3k on parts and 3k on work then the return is not that great

[@TheJoaquinito]

My family in Spain had a 600 , bigger but we were five...... Travelling around the country and taking ferries crossing to Africa, in summer. Greatest cars.

[@user-bb6eh5kd5d]

“Widow making” 13 horse power 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣, absolutely classic

[@redrage369]

Then I realize this IS KOBENI’S CAR, OMG ITS PERFECT

[@kuruptzZz]

Man I remember this, my dad's first car in zambia. I would stand in the middle in the back during road trips. Ain't no time for child car seats lol

[@m.r.prasad]

These models should again come in the market .

[@TheSlopMeister]

The irony of youtube recommending me this right after I got it’s counterpart in GTA

[@marcomarcon5802]

I used to drive one. Loved it, very reliable and cheap to fix if anything goes wrong

[@GTvehicle]

The ORIGINAL of this 1957 Fiat 500 was the 1955 Fiat 600 - which was less than 1 school ruler longer (321.5cm vs. 297cm for the 500) - This smaller brother of two years later copied the 600 almost exactly - just shrunken in the wash that was too hot ..

[@ailuhuuva6188]

i love the steering wheel its so clean :D

[@joeypincombe8384]

Luigi's casa della tires. Home of the leaning tower of tires. 2006. Movie cars.

[@MikhaelAhava]

Yeah.

[@michaelibey6700]

One happening I saw with one of these was funny as hell and I will never forget, in the early seventies my friend Joe had one for a while, Joe was a big fella. One day he gave another friend, Tangey, a ride downtown. Well, Tangey was an even WIDER fellow than Joe.I watched with interest as they got in the car. What a show, they finally figured out the only way they could get the doors shut was by slamming them hard AT THE SAME TIME! Wish I had a video of it.

[@highlight9014]

I think my lawn mower has more than 17hp! In fact I think the wife's sewing machine is close!

[@michaelrawlins419]

Yeah, my lawnmower has 32 hp. I wonder what will happen if I drag race that fiat

[@whats_happening_in_tvm]

@@michaelrawlins419 what kind of lawn mower is that, my bike barely has 20hp

[@violetshark]

bear in mind that power is nothing without control

[@glx4909]

i've driven one of those.. accelerates no problem with 1 person in it. Very light.. A bit less with 2. Now with three, dunno.. never tried.

[@adamabbas6258]

H

[@FallenAngel53]

The Fiat 500s now are gigantic My first car was a Fiat 127

[@mausewix]

oh mine was a fiat 127 too. it was red and rusty and really a piece of crap. everything ratteled and it was slower that james may. highlight was a rev counter mounted on the dashboard in a wooden box. looked like a little closet . but how crappy it was, i had the most fun in this thing, we drove from germany through france for 2 weeks and it worked fine. had this car almost 2 years and it never failed. i dropped a tear when i brought it to the press,

[@hi-fidude6670]

@@mausewix Why did you scrap it???!

[@mausewix]

@@hi-fidude6670 well this happend 1990. i was 20 years old and the car was really done. at this time cars like this were nothing special so i had to for a new one. ok other one , not new, but back then it felt right.

[@hi-fidude6670]

@@mausewix Today they are very special though

[@mausewix]

yes but how could i know .

[@Grant0610]

It is classless and never looks boring. Try saying that about most of the cars these days!

[@peterduxbury927]

I saw a film from Montenegro once. A FIAT 500 was used, pulling two or three hitched Refuse Carts around. Young boys were emptying the local trash into the Carts being towed. It was unique!

[@Heidegaff]

As an italian, I can't ear "Five hundred". It's CINQUECENTO.

[@miaugato93]

the 500 (Cinquecento) is called whatever the local language for "500" is outside of italy. As oposed to the Cinquecento (boxy 90's city car) because it's written "Cinquecento" in the back. it is really that simple and stupid, but what you gonna do.

[@Heidegaff]

The '90s car, made anyhow by Fiat, has the same pronunciation of "500" in Italian. Is written in the pronunciation, but the sound is the same.

[@miaugato93]

Following that line of thought, then you'd have the BMW dreihundertfünfundzwanzig tds and the Mercedes C zweihundertzwanzig CDI. Numbers are always read in the local language. As well as the 2CV and the Beetle, which always has a local name.

[@miaugato93]

german. because he said 500 should be said cinquecento, because the car is italian and that's the name, so bmw has the 325, and it's german, so let's call it the dreihundertfunfundzwanzig. you get my point.

[@Slamdoxicalz]

"Fiat vijfhonderd" here :>

[@jacoe2159]

Loved the review. And the car. But James omitted the 500d was not the original 500. The original was the 500a “topolino” from 1936.

[@standlyua3608]

I miss the Old Top Gear. I watched it since I was 9! Now I am 17 and I just finished school

[@junglegymbali5136]

I have had one! Still remember me the joy to drive with it in the alps of germany/austria Ppl greet me everywhere It was 2000

[@MrRourk]

Lupin III

[@tjippo8197]

Even the color is right. In italy Lupin is VERY popular. I'm surprised they didn't mention the connection.

[@Ale_giro]

AnimeOST on Vinyl not very popular as you think........ (and yes, I'm Italian). New generations prefer other anime/mangas, most of GC style. Lupin made history, of course.

[@Skaelya]

well the SSK is still the principal symbol of lupin's family either it's grandpa lupin or lupin the third...

[@DalekPratt1963]

@@Ale_giro Well, back when Cagliostro came out, it became pretty popular for including the Fiat 500! Over time, it most likely has decreased in popularity, but when Cagliostro came out, there were lots of fans!

[@polloloci21]

I drive one. Once you get the hang of double clutching and rev matching it feels faster than it really is. The most annoying part is that people stay next to you while you drive- they pull out their cell phones to take a pictures- what they don’t realize is that I’m basically driving a tin can and their impromptu photo shoot puts me at great risk.

[@Justin-do5xs]

Lupin the third ?

[@amickju6216]

Lupin the third 💃

[@r3dunt3r]

Yep

[@Zenigotcha]

Yerp!!!!

[@CoolingSoda]

Yep

[@zackaryluthe7733]

Cheers, to you!

[@IronMan3582]

Was very pleased to see that all three episodes of this series were available for purchase on Xbox Live for a sensible price. It was a grand way to spend a Sunday afternoon with James talking about cars the way he does best.

[@sharadsharma6842]

Italians are best economic and fitting middle class budget cars. I love fiat.

[@Cubeeeeeeeee]

Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, and Pagani are all italian...

[@didisound5516]

@@Cubeeeeeeeee LANCIA, ALFA ROMEO , BUGATTI .

[@Cubeeeeeeeee]

@@didisound5516 none of those are "middle class cars" dude, maybe lancia but definately not bugatti

[@rob5197]

@@Cubeeeeeeeee talking of economical cars here

[@collwyncleveland932]

17 horsepower. 300 years ago, if you had 17 actual horses pulling your carriage through town, people would have thought you were the king of everything.

[@MayonnaiseHellmanns]

a horse actually develops around 15 horsepower, I'm not entirely sure why it's called that

[@andreamittirua6876]

Oh my god they filmed it in Chieri, the small town I live in! How could I not know about it?

[@tnimbus]

I have one of these. I have had it for over 30 years. I only drive it in the summer. Currently it is doing its 'I am a bottomless pit of money' routine which it does every few years.

[@jamienewstart1756]

Love the Fiat 500 :)

[@KntckyFriedChkn]

I love my 2013 Abarth 500, but I'd LOOOVE to have one of these classic 500's