Description
Debuting in 1936, the original Fiat 500A Topolino, literally “little mouse” but soon interpreted as Mickey Mouse for the mouse-ear-like headlights on the front fenders, became Italy's most popular car. In 1948, Fiat announced the 500B and expanded the microcar's capabilities with a practical, wood-sided wagon called the Giardiniera, meaning "gardener." When the 500C was released with a redesign in 1949, Fiat offered the Giardiniera again, but only for two years.
The 500C Giardiniera was completed at the Lingotto factory by Carrozzerie Speciali, Fiat's own coachbuilder. Some of these had real wood on the outside, others had fiberboard or stamped metal panels that could be painted in contrasting colors or treated in the manner of faux wood.
