FIAT NUOVA 500 F

A typical 500 F 8 bulloni (8 bolts) (1965)

Production: 1965/1972

During the 60’s a new version, the 500 F, was introduced for the first time. This one was destines to an even bigger success.

The Nuova 500 F was introduced in 1965 as the heir of the D. In the next years, this model will produce and sell more units than all the previous ones. The biggest news was its look: first of all, the inversion of the opening direction of the doors, fastened with 8 screws each. Because of this characteristic the first units of the F (serial number a little over 1 million) were nicknamed “8 bolts”. This version, produced between March 1965 and January 1966 is now very rare and attractive for the lovers of this sector. Later, the doors will be fastened with four screws each instead of eight. There were also some small but significant changes in the body of the car; useless ornaments were eliminated to favour the functional aspects.

The semi-roof and the pavilion were realized with a single metal sheet instead of three pieces bolted together as in the D. This modification resulted in a bigger and longer windscreen. The two metal hooks of the soft-top roof were replaced by a single plastic black roof in the middle. With the model F disappeared also the belt that was previously needed to close the roof (except in the first “8 bolts” models of 1965)

No more polished aluminium profiles on the front bonnet, under the rear window on the back and on the sides at doors’ height. The taillights were redesigned to be more flat and wider.

But the most significant visible news were definitely the doors, now hinged at their rear rather than at their front (safe doors), This change made the elimination of the unaesthetic external hinges possible. On both doors was applied an elegant handle button.

The size of the headlights and of the position lamps remained the same but the design changed: they now had an asymmetrical beam and the position lamps no longer presented the aluminium bar they had on the D.

New chromed metal hubcaps were introduced on the wheel to replace the old aluminium ones.

In 1966 the front frieze in three pieces was replaced by one single plastic piece. The licence plate lamp holder was also replaced by a plastic one. A few years later, in 1969, also the front logo changed: it became a diamond shape logo with the words “Fiat 500”, substituting the aluminium logo that said “Nuova 500”.

With the models F/L produced after 1970 the licence plate light was moved higher than in the previous versions.

The interior, as well as the outside of the F presented many news, all meant to simplify and to be economical in the design, which is why for example, many details that used to be made of metal were now replaced of plastic.

Dashboard: The speedometer scale raised to a maximum of 120 Km/h.

All the switches were aligned next to the ignition and the warning lights of the headlights and of the position lights, which used to be next to the speedometer, were moved away from it. The material used for the light switches and for the hook used to close the soft-top roof used to be metal and then became black plastic and the same thing happened to the ashtray. Because of the introduction of the new safety doors the car needed a new opening metal lever on the inside. The closing handles were also made of black plastic.

However, the very first units of the F presented some details of the D (internal closing handles in aluminium, metal ashtray…)

In 1968 the carpet was simplified eliminating the white section on the front seats (1968); the frame of the top was painted black (after having being beige from 1959 to 1967)

For what concerns the mechanics the power was increased to 18HP. The air filter was strengthened and the gas ventilation mechanism was introduced. The new silences were no longer made of a single cylinder but of two separated parts welded together.

Another thing that changed was the clutch thrust bearing put in place of the previous graphite one; the joints and the axle shafts were strengthened, as were the brake cylinders and the wishbone suspensions.

A new horizontal fuel tank was placed in the front bonnet. It could contain 22 litres.

Price: ₤ 475.000 (1965) / ₤ 600.000 (1972)