Coming to America: The Fiat 500

Leg Room for Improvement
Despite the excellent fuel economy and the simple elegance of its Dante Giacosa design, the 500 was not an instant success. Italians thought it not enough car for the money. So shortly after its debut, Fiat added a rear seat and a slightly more powerful engine, from 13-horse power to a whopping 15. Later versions were available with cloth roofs and collapsible plastic rear windscreens for a convertible effect.

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