5k: Pickled Veggies: 1949 Fiat 500 Topolino Giardinetta
Today’s feature is described by the seller as a 1949 Fiat 500 Giardiniera Belvedere. This is unfortunate because the Belvedere name did not appear on the Fiat 500 Topolino station wagon until the 1952 model year and Giardiniera is an Italian relish appetizer made from carrots, cauliflower, celery and peppers that have been pickled in vinegar and/or oil. It is tasty stuff and just thinking about it is making my mouth water, but it isn’t a wood covered Fiat. This is a 1949 Fiat 500 Topolino Giardinetta
for sale in Portland, OR currently bidding for $5,625 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go.
The name Topolino means little mouse in Italian and is actually what they call Mickey Mouse in Italy. The Topolino was named because the early versions have head lights that sprouted from the fenders like Mickey Mouse ears, but they had become integrated into the fenders by 1948.
This Fiat 500 Topolino B uses a 16 horsepower 570 cc inline-4 mounted in the front but mated to the rear wheels. Slow does not begin to describe the driving experience of a 40s Fiat.
Perhaps some Fiat expert can tell us if the wood siding is original or a later addition, but the Giardinetta station wagon version is certainly a coolest way to have an early Fiat 500.
Giardiniera from Mezzetta for reference. See another mouth watering classic? tips@dailyturismo.com
Well, Google Image Search brings up a fair number of woodie Topolino Giardinettas, so my guess is that it was original. I even found some die-cast replicas in the woody form.
So, now we have "The Littlest Woody". Very neat. Thanks DT!
Bobinott
This is a really cute, really interesting little car, and I simply can't imagine how slow it must be, however. Still, all in all it would be perfect for shopping in a strip mall, so that's one thing at least. It will be interesting to see how much it sells for.
cheers….JeffH
I am such a sucker for a Woodie. This little jar of pickles has knocked me over. And here I am, car rich and cash poor.
What a great little car!
The pickle is back for sale on ebay. ebay.com/itm/301137945434