Fiat 500 Topolino 1936 car

Fiat's managing director Giovanni Agnelli visited Henry Ford's factory and was inspired to bring American mass production methods to Italy. Utilizing Ford's assembly line model, he opened Lingotto factory in 1922 and saw production soar.

Agnelli commission Dante Giacosa to design a small car that ordinary people could afford. His designs ultimately resulted in the first Fiat 500 Topolino 1936 - then known as the world's smallest two-seater and priced at only 8900 lire when first released in 1935.

When the car debuted, it caused quite a stir with its simple mechanicals: a four-cylinder engine perched above the wheel axis, independent front wheels and two-seater body. Yet it didn't lack for style either - its agile shape making it the envy of every Italian motorist.

Dante Giacosa refined the design by integrating Agnelli and Lardone's ideas, such as adding a radiator above the engine to conserve water pumps, using two V-beams from front to rear, and installing a four-cylinder engine with side valves. This allowed him to manufacture the 500 for an incredibly low cost which in turn increased its popularity.

As such, it quickly became a beloved icon in Italy's motoring culture, helping boost car ownership in the country. For those of us fortunate enough to own one, the 500 taught us many valuable lessons about driving: gearboxes and how to utilize the road efficiently for average speeds; brake when necessary - an ability that proved just as helpful in traffic jams as fast driving. Most importantly, however, was its emphasis on safety and respecting other road users - lessons which still guide our decisions today.

Realistic 3d-model with textures in a archive.