The Fiat 500 is one of the most iconic cars ever made. Yet, a generation of Americans was unfamiliar with the tiny Cinquecento, that is until a new retro-styled version returned to the US in 2011 after a 27-year absence. Today, the new 500 is quite recognizable. In fact, it’s hard not to associate the entire Fiat brand with the stylish small car—and to look at recently introduced bigger versions, like the 500L wagon and 500X crossover, as a bit strange.
However, did you know that in Italy Fiat has made vehicles of all shapes and sizes for nearly a century? That’s evident, for example, by the 1970 Fiat 238 van now listed on eBay. The seller says it’s the only one currently in the US, partly explaining why Americans don’t think of Fiat as a maker of people-movers. That lack of familiarity would also explain why the 1970 Fiat van turns heads on US roads. The wood-paneled camper (with a tall roof) would be “a great promotional vehicle” for florists, farms, restaurants, markets, and vineyards. You bet, it would “stand out,” as the seller says. The van, with a $20,000 Buy-It-Now price, appears to be in excellent condition with no rust.
Is this the only Fiat 238 camper in the US? The owner says yes.
Don’t expect a lot of power. The 238, made between 1967 and 1983, featured a 1,197-cc four-cylinder engine producing just 43 horsepower. Still, it was a popular ambulance, and the military used them, too. Top speed was less than 60 miles per hour.
Ferrari offered its four-cam V6 to Fiat, because it needed to get the motor approved for racing.
In 1970, when the van listed on eBay rolled out of the factory, Italian car lovers could also buy more exotic fare, like the Fiat Dino 2400 GT also listed now on eBay. The Dino (named after Enzo Ferrari’s son) was a sleeper, sporting a four-cam Ferrari V6. Styling comes courtesy of the legendary Bertone group.
Enzo always cared more about his racing cars than his road entries, and the Dino came about because of his need to homolgate the engine for Formula 2 racing. That meant producing at least 500 of them, and since Ferrari didn’t have the capacity for that, Fiat (which until recently owned Ferrari) was drafted.
The value of these Dinos was flat for a long time, but now they’re taking off dramatically. This one looks like a good runner, but it has some issues, including bumpers that need to be mounted, blemished paint, older tires, and a missing glovebox latch.
The Fiat “Double-Bubble” gets its name from those bulges.
Another Fiat that’s little seen in America is the aluminum-bodied Abarth “Double Bubble,” a very handsome Zagato-designed performance variation of the humble 600. The name refers to the roof bulges that help with headroom. This 1960 example boasts matching numbers, a four-speed manual, a roll cage, and very presentable coachwork with nicely contrasting yellow wheels. It’s said to be “mechanically sound,” and is offered with a classified price of $74,500. It could be fun in vintage racing, especially if it features the later twin-cam engine.
Abarth has long been the performance tuner for Fiat, and its parts can often be used to make the company’s cars go faster—or at least look like they will.
The 124 Spider was embraced by Americans who wanted an Italian alternative to British roadsters.
The original 124 Spider (1966-1980) was a big hit with Americans, and competed with British Triumphs and MGs in its day. Nearly 200,000 were made, and 75 percent made it over here. This fetching 1979 example, with a two-liter twin-cam engine, has just 76,000 miles on the odometer. It looks good from 20 feet, but the second owner admits it has some cosmetic issues. Because the 124 sold so well, Fiat 124 parts are plentiful.
Older Fiats, like this 1921 Doble Phaeton, tend to be big and impressive.
Fiats go back to the earliest days of motoring, and the company made some impressive large cars in the vintage years. This four-door 1921 Doble Phaeton is said to be 50 percent restored.
These examples harken back to the time when Fiat made all kinds of vehicles, and perhaps also point to the future when the Italian automaker one day becomes a legitimate full-line automaker for American buyers.
See Left Car & Truck Corner Lights for Fiat for sale on eBay.
