FIAT 500 1972–1975 car dimensions: 2970 mm long, 1320 mm wide and 1350 mm high. Unladen weight is 525 kg. Braked towing is 250 kg.
The cabin is basic with a black F-type dashboard, speedometer and two-spoke steering wheel. Seats are smooth vinyl leatherette with fixed rear backrest as standard. reclining cloth seats are available on request at no extra cost. Heating is controlled by a simple lever. No electronic driver aids are fitted.
Boot space is 31 litres in the front compartment, shared with the spare wheel and fuel tank. Rear seats have a fixed backrest so cannot fold to expand capacity.
Towing capacity is 250 kg braked or unbraked. Payload is 320 kg based on 525 kg unladen and 845 kg gross weight. The car is a small city runabout with air-cooled engine and drum brakes, suited to light personal use rather than heavy work.
The cabin is small and basic with smooth vinyl leatherette seats, black plastic steering wheel and round instruments, plus a body-coloured metal dashboard. Front seats tumble forward for rear access while the rear backrest stays fixed. A fabric openable roof lets in air and light for an open feel on short trips.
Petrol carburettor engine of 594 cc.
Fuel use around 5.5 l/100 km.
Fuel tank holds 22 litres.
Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
Seat-belt anchors fitted. belts optional.
Air-cooled engine needs no coolant service.
The car runs on normal petrol via a simple carburettor. Official figures put consumption near 5.5 litres per 100 km with a 22-litre tank that suits short city runs.
Servicing centres on the air-cooled twin. Engine oil capacity is about 2.5 litres for a change. gearbox and differential share a common oil. Front kingpins need regular greasing to avoid seizure. The four-speed gearbox was non-synchromesh on most examples, with late cars gaining syncros.
Safety kit is basic: hydraulic drums at all four wheels and a handbrake on the rears. Seat-belt mounting points exist and belts were an option. No electronic aids or published crash ratings appear for the model.
Living with the car means watching for rust in the usual body spots and keeping the fabric roof in good order. Mechanical parts remain widely available and the simple design makes DIY work straightforward for most owners.
Length 2970 mm, Width 1320 mm, Height 1350 mm, Wheelbase 1840 mm (500 1972–1975)
Sources: manufacturer data, Fiat customer service technical table Nov 1973 via fiat500126.com, autoevolution.com and classiccarportraits.co.uk.