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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Fiat 500 C Lunotto Panoramico

1949Coachwork by Francis Lombardi

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.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Fiat 500 C Topolino — 1949–1955 specifications www.automobile-catalog.com Specialist technical reference

THE CONVERSATION

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