Fiat 500

17th October 2006

Bringing the outside in has always been a big part of the appeal of Fiat's small cars. Although the original 500 - first introduced back in 1957 - was never available officially as a convertible, coachbuilt roofless versions did appear.

And from the factory, the model could be specified with a choice of two different sunroofs - one was a full-length canvas affair that rolled back over the rear passengers' heads and down to the engine cover! There has also been a roofless, door-less version - called the Jolly - which was produced by specialist Italian design house Ghia.

This model was mainly sold in the US, where its chic, beach buggy-stylelooks were hugely popular. Fiat showed that its love for the idea was still alive and well when bosses revealed the Panda Jolly concept at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Although structural integrity hasnot been something Fiat drop-tops have been known for in the past, thanks to a new platform shared with the next Ford Ka and extensive engineering input from both companies, the new 500 Cabriolet promises to be a very solid machine.