Tag Archives: Severn

DIY Buckboard – Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed

A couple of years ago while I was on my way to the Morgan Factory I passed through Upton-upon-Severn in the Malvern Hills district of Worcestershire, England when I espied today’s featured FIAT Cinquecento on the verge of a T junction with the B4211.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

The front wheel drive FIAT Cinquecento city car was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro to replace the rear engine rear wheel drive FIAT 126 in 1991, they were built at the former FSO works in Poland where the various FIAT derived models had been built and marketed under the Polski FIAT and later FSO brands.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

Despite the Cinquecento, Five Hundred, name the smallest motor for this model was a longitudinally mounted 704 cc / 43 cui two-cylinder unit which was only avaialble in Poland.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

The two other engine options were four cylinder units producing 38 and 53 hp respectively and mounted transversely, today’s featured car is listed as having a 38hp 899cc / 54.8 cui motor that traces it’s origins back to the 1970’s FIAT 127 hatchback.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

Despite being a city car the Cinquecento was equipped with independent suspension all round, side impact bars, crumple zones and could be ordered with central locking, electric window’s sunroof and air conditioning the only notable option missing was power assisted steering.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

FIAT commissioned a number of concept versions of the Cinquecento before production ceased in 1998, but none included a flatbed behind the passenger cabin like the example seen here which is currently registered as, SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), being kept off the road.

Thanks for joining me on this “DIY Buckboard” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” which concludes this months series of pick ups. I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a 1929 Riley with a 6 litre / 366cui four cylinder aero engine.

Wishing all GALPOT readers a relaxing Bank Holiday Monday.

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