THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1949
- Body style
- Berlina
- Engine
- Inline-4
- Type
- Limited
- Displacement
- 569 cc
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR
Coachbuilding, design & conversions
PRICE & SALES RECORD
Vehicle value
- Original price
- Not documented
- Latest recorded sale
- Not documented
01 / THE STORY
History & context
The Fiat 500 Berlina (1949) was coachbuilt by Francis Lombardi and designed by Giuseppe Rinaldi. Developed in the post-World War II era, the Fiat 500 Berlina served as a compact city car, reflecting the growing demand for economical and efficient vehicles in Italy. The design process emphasized practicality, with proportions optimized for urban maneuverability and a streamlined silhouette, which was characteristic of the era’s coachbuilding practices. The construction methods applied in this model involved a monocoque chassis design, which enhanced structural integrity while minimizing weight. The vehicle featured a distinctive curved roofline, a hallmark of Rinaldi’s design, that contributed to both aesthetic appeal and functional utility, particularly in terms of passenger space. Mechanically, the Fiat 500 Berlina was powered by an inline-four engine, providing adequate performance for its intended urban environment. Documentation indicates that the chassis number for this particular model is 158726. Production data for the Fiat 500 Berlina is not specified in the provided information. However, surviving examples of this model are recorded in private collections, contributing to the historical narrative of Italian automotive design and the legacy of postwar coachbuilding. The integration of stylistic elements with practical engineering made the Fiat 500 Panoramico Francis Lombardi a noteworthy subject of study for automotive historians.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production type
- Limited
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- Inline-4
- Displacement
- 569 cc
- Power (CV)
- 16.5 CV
- Engine speed
- 4,400 rpm
- Transmission
- Manual 4-speed
- Drive
- Rear-wheel drive
- Specification notes
- Confidence detail moved from confidence: high_identity_year_medium_chassis_quantity | Source-backed donor/model-level baseline for Fiat 500 C Topolino (1949–1955): Inline-4, 569 cc, 16.5 CV at 4400 rpm, 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive. Coachbuilt-body dimensions, weight and maximum speed are intentionally not inherited.
Design & manufacture
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Fiat
- Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
- Francis Lombardi
- Designer · Candidate
- Giuseppe Rinaldi
04 / INDIVIDUAL HISTORY
Chassis & provenance
Chassis 158726
- Chassis number
- 158726
- Year
- 1949
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 13 photographs
Show 7 more photographs Show fewer photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| Fiat 500 C Topolino — 1949–1955 specifications www.automobile-catalog.com | Specialist technical reference |











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