Last updated on March 22, 2025
Today’s car is a tastefully modified 1937 Fiat 500 coupe. The Fiat 500, commonly known as ‘Topolino,’ is an Italian city car. It was then the smallest 4-cylinder car to ever go into mass production. Topolino means “Little Mouse” in Italian, but it owed its name to Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse. The Italians were enamored with Mickey Mouse at the time and called him Topolino.
I photographed this car at the 2024 Annual Horseless Carriage Show held in Arcadia, CA. This car is finished in a two-tone, warm muted gray-green and black combination, with a beige-black interior. It is powered by a small block Chevrolet and transfers that power through a GM automatic transmission with what appears to be a Ford 9″ rear axle. Slowing this baby down are disc brakes up front and drums in the rear.
Nearly 520,000 Fiats were sold between 1936 and 1955, while the Fiat 500 Model A, like this example, was produced between 1937 and 1948. It was originally equipped with 13 hp, 569 cc four-cylinder, side-valve, water-cooled engine mounted in front of the front axle. The radiator was located behind the engine, which made for the lowered aerodynamic nose profile. The published top speed was 53 mph, and it could achieve approximately 47 mpg. The Fiat 500 was sold without bumpers, which were available for purchase separately.
This tastefully put-together car opposes what Topolinos were meant to be. Yet, it embraces the basic look—but on steroids. What a great car to take to a European or Italian car show, Cars and Coffee events, or just cruising with like-minded car buddies and maybe stopping off for a gelato! Thank you for riding along. —Frank
