Join me on a visit to Rome to see what cars we might find parked along the kerb!

The Fiat 500 is made for cities like Rome. You see them everywhere. Not only the new model, but also a few of the old – the so called «Nuova 500» – which appeared in 1957 and replaced the popular «Mouse». I wish I could say that the fleet of old 500s are in decent condition, but most of them show signs of a hard life in Rome’s heavy traffic and reckless parking.

While there are plenty of old 500s built in Torino between 1957-1975, it is not so easy to find any of the Polish-built successors like the Fiat 126 and the horribly styled Cinquecento. All new Fiat 500s sold today, are built in Poland, too. Will it stay on the road as long as their Italian ancestor, the Nuova 500? – Or will it fade out, break down, rust up and be forgotten like the other Polish-built cars? I think not. I think for a model to be successful, it needs most of all to have a good design. So has the «Nuova 500», – and the latest 500.

Compared with the Nuova 500, our time’s Fiat 500 looks like large car. Not to mention the Countryman in the background. This Nuova 500 is produced after 1972.

The old 500 can be parked nosed in, or backed in, like here. A beautiful 500 from around 1970.

The majority of old 500s are in this condition. bad repairs with plastic padding and plenty of dents and scratches.

One can clearly see that the bumpers of modern cars’ aren’t compatible with the early 500’s bumper.

A Frenchman in Rome. I like the old number plates. Very decorative.

A postwar Fiat 1100 Camioncino, about 1950, which has received a full restoration with extra chrome. Today, it rests in a commercial district with flowers on the bed for decoration purposes.

I walked past this beautiful Bentley rigged for wedding. The Bentley was beautiful, – but I think the bride was even more beautiful 😉

An original Mini on the street is not a common sight. This is a Mark III from about 1970 in its original condition, probably manufactured in Italy.

Notice the conventional instrument panel. I don’t think the Italian built Minis shared the centered instrument panel from the British manufacturer.

I believe this Ferrari was supposed to be part of some commercial presentation. I’m not sure I would have chosen the same blue color on “my” Ferrari.

Wonderful interior.

Also this black Ferrari with Swiss number plates was supposed to be used in the same presentation.

An italian job made in Modena.

In Rome everybody ride scooters.

A red Fiat 500 decorates the street.

Arrivederci Roma!