Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Mini
Production years: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
Introduced in 1960 as a replacement for the 500 Nuova range, the 500 D was the last of its kind to feature suicide doors.
Three years after its introduction on the market, the 500 evolved into a trendy vehicle. In the beginning, it started as an Italian city commuter car, but it was demanded in other markets as well. The 500 D was sent as CKD in New Zeeland and assembled locally, and filled the market with the little 2-cylinder vehicle.
Fiat introduced the 500 Nuova (New) in 1957 and, three years later, it upgraded it to the D-model. It looked almost identical, but it featured a solid roof. For those who preferred the open-top, the Italian carmaker offered a canvas-top version named Transformable. A 500 D might be recognized by its round, orange, turn-signals mounted on the front fenders, instead of the teardrop-shaped ones from the Nuova. Apart from the Family (Giardiniera) version, it was the last to feature rear-hinged doors.
Inside, there was the same minimalist design concept as on the 500 Nuova. It featured cloth seats in the front and a bench for two in the back. The metallic dash panel sported a speedometer and a few warning lights for fuel, charging,and oil pressure.
Under the hood, the 500 D carried over a de-tuned version of the 500 cc engine from the 500 Sport. Its power was reduced to 17 hp from 21 hp to increase the fuel-efficiency.
ENGINE SPECS - 0.5L 4MT (15 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L2 |
Displacement: | 499 cm3 |
Power: | 11 KW @ 4000 RPM 15 HP @ 4000 RPM 15 BHP @ 4000 RPM |
Torque: | 22 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 30 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 59 mph (95 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Drums |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 125 - 12 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 116.9 in (2969 mm) |
Width: | 52 in (1321 mm) |
Height: | 52.2 in (1326 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 44.1/44.7 in (1,120/1,135 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 72.4 in (1839 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.5 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1102 lbs (500 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 1808 lbs (820 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 42.8 mpg US (5.5 L/100Km) |