Almost as if they shrink-rayed the car!
Kyosho is a model manufacturer that models a wide range of vehicles, from new models to classic cars. From the company’s original brand ‘KYOSHO ORIGINAL’ comes a die-cast 1/18th scale Fiat ‘Nuova 500’. Owners of the real car are also satisfied with the “high level of reproduction!” and are satisfied with the miniature car.
Rare 5-month production model
The Fiat Nuova 500 (Cinquecento), called Prima Serie (1st series), was the first of the Fiat Nuova 500 model that appeared in 1957 and was sold for only five months. It was characterized by the simplicity of its construction, with three beards on each side of the front mask, teardrop-shaped side indicators, side windows that had been framed except for the triangular ones, only two front seats, no headlight rims, wheel caps, mouldings or emblems, and such thorough cost reductions that it was not even equipped with any headlight rims, wheel caps, mouldings or emblems. The car was so simple and cost-effective that it did not even have headlight rims, wheel caps, mouldings or emblems.
Another feature of the second-generation 500 was a large canvas rooftop that opened to the bottom of the rear window. The engine was an air-cooled two-cylinder OHV with 479 cc and a maximum output of 13.7 hp.
Incidentally, the reason why it was sold for only five months was that its thorough simplicity was unpopular with users. Except for the canvas top, an improved 500 Normale appeared in December 1957. Later, further improvements were made to the D-type, F-type and Lusso.
Three body colors to choose from
The Nuova 500 released by Kyosho this time has been made from a new mould with the full cooperation of the Museo Cinquecento in Aichi Prefecture. The front hood, doors and engine hood have opening and closing mechanisms. The product is packed with very detailed gimmicks, for example, the stopper to adjust the angle at which the doors open when opened is reproduced, and the steering wheel and front tyres are interlocked and movable.
Open the front hood and you can see the type plate on the right side of the bulkhead and the sticker in the engine compartment have been reproduced. Furthermore, it can be seen through the minicar that the early models had a wide and thin fuel tank. Other items such as the spare tyre and genuine tools are also included.
The canvas top frame, which is a characteristic of the second-generation Nuova 500, is reproduced with etched parts and the straps for fixing are incorporated as separate parts. Furthermore, to reproduce the characteristics of the real car, the rear tyres are fitted with positive camber. The rear suspension is movable.
Turning to the interior, the simple cloth upholstery without piping is reproduced. The inside of the doors are also covered directly in leather. Behind the cute spherical shift knob are two levers for the choke and starter, and a side brake. The seat folds down around the front of the seat.
The Nuova 500’s body colours, which are a solid reproduction of the early model’s features, will be available in Green Clear, Cruise Celeste (blue) and Coral Red, which were available on the actual car.
