Fiat 500L (the lap of luxury)

 
Times change, and given the success of the 500F, Fiat decided to ring some rather substantial aesthetic changes to the car, making it more refined and “luxurious”. As a result, the 500L was born in August 1968. The most obvious change was the adoption of chrome pipes to reinforce the car’s bumpers, giving the smallest car in Italy greater protection in urban traffic. Or against other Italian drivers…
 
Production
The ‘luxury’ edition of the 500L comes with fitted carpets, a more refined interior finish, reclining front seats, and upholstery complete with vertical grooves. Not to mention a plastic dashboard. This might not sound too luxurious, but bear in mind that its big brother, the Fiat 850, didn’t even have a fuel gauge. You get one of those too with a 500L: don’t say that Fiat doesn’t spoil you. Bumper overriders were fitted to the front and rear of the car to give that bit more security and protection during (contact) parking manoeuvres and out on the road. 
 
Engine
Number and type of cylinders: two cylinder vertical in-line (rear mounted)
Bore and stroke: 67.4mm × 70mm
Total displacement: 499.5cm3
Power and RPM: 18hp at 4600rpm
Compression ratio: 7.1:1
Distribution: overhead valves, chain driven side camshaft
Ignition: battery and distributor
Electrical system: 12 volts with 32Ah battery
Power supply: inverted Weber 26 IMB 10 carburettor
Lubrication: pressure with gear pump, centrifugal oil filter
Cooling: forced circulation air
 
Transmission and brakes
Clutch: single dry disc
Gearbox: four-speed plus reverse
Bevel gear ratio: 8/41
Transmission: rear-driven wheels
Rear axle: with independent wheels
Wheels: disc without slots
Tyres: 125R12.
Shock absorbers: front and rear telescopic.
Suspensions: front, deformable wishbones, transversal leaf spring lower arms; rear, oblique triangulated wishbones, coil springs.
Brakes: hydraulic drum on four wheels.
 
Chassis
Chassis type: Integral with metal shell
Fully loaded weight: 850kg
Wheelbase: 1840mm
Tracks: front, 1121mm; rear, 1135mm
Height: 1325mm
Length: 2970mm
Width: 1320mm
Steering: screw and sector
 
Performance
Maximum speed: 95kph (59mph)
Fuel consumption: 5.5l/100km