Recently recommissioned - As used on The Trial of Christine Keeler At Fiat, the approval of the new model 126 was preceded by a long debate on the real opportunity for a radical replacement of the 500 rather than a simple update.

In any case it was immediately obvious that the mechanics, robust and economical , remained unchanged.

Also on the basis of the first “safety” requests of the cars, the end was chosen for the launch of a new model; however the still substantial success of the 500 did not immediately diminish but allowed a phasing in for another three years in the Fiat range.

At the Turin Motor Show, in November 1972, the Fiat 126 was presented as well as the last series of the 500: the R (“Renewed”) or, as it was also initially called, “unified”.

The engine that equipped both cars was a 594cc unit.

The new engine in the 500 R delivered a maximum power of 18hp with a Weber 24 carburettor, allowing the 500 R to hit the 100kph threshold on the open road.

The public then see...