The Fiat 500 in New Zealand

The Fiat 500 in New Zealand

A major Kiwi claim to fame is the name ‘Bambina.’ The 500 was given that name in New Zealand during 1965 with the introduction of the upgraded 500F model. Rob Elliot, the managing director of Torino Motors, decided it should be sold as a Fiat Bambina. The name stuck, and has since become one of the most widely recognised in the local market – it has been applied generically to all Fiat 500s, even earlier models sold before the name was devised. Bambina has joined Mini and Beetle as one of those instantly recognisable car brands.

A Fiat 500 was even sent to Scott Base in 1964 for use by New Zealand’s scientific team in the Antarctic. It was used as transport between New Zealand’s Scott Base and the US base at McMurdo Sound, but its narrow tyres made it unsuitable and it was flown back to New Zealand, cleaned and sold as a second-hand car.

More than 5000 of the 500s made it to New Zealand, but today fewer than 400 are registered on our roads as its global cult status and high value saw hundreds of ‘our’ cars being shipped to Japan and the US during the ’90s.

The lifespan of the 500 in New Zealand followed a similar trend to that in Europe, although the reasons were different. A devaluation of the New Zealand dollar in the ’60s, the punitive 45 per cent import tariff on European cars, and finally the arrival of modern and well-equipped Japanese micros from Suzuki, Honda and Daihatsu saw local production end in 1969.

Torino Motors wanted to do something more profitable with the import licence, and it brought the 850 Sport Coupé onto the market in its place. Fully built-up models continued for several years, including the ultimate right hand drive evolution – the 500L.

One of those cars remains in my hands – a 1968 Bambina which I bought as a first car more than 30 years ago, and it is still a regular commuter on Auckland’s Northwestern motorway.

Fifty years on, the design which Italy recognised in 1959 with its Compasso d’Oro is still winning hearts. Almost every component on the car, especially its F model, is still being made to this day – classic motoring was never easier.