In 1957 Fiat launched the successor to its previous model the Topolino .
The designer was Dante Giacosa who was to become a legend in the automobile design world.
The vehicle drew heavily on The ground work Giacosa had done for the 400 , which was a prototype of a minimalist two-seater utility car . It also drew heavily on the slightly larger 600 but differed dramatically in the engine department by having an all new 479cc overhead valve, air-cooled vertical twin mated to a four speed crash gearbox.

With 13 bhp on tap it's neck breaking acceleration did not exactly conjure up images of a would-be Ascari at the wheel.

So came the likes of Carlo Abarth, Giannini, Nardi, who had a field-day offering after-market accessories and bolt-on tuning parts so the young Italians could go racing around the streets.
FIAT also offered, between The years 1958-60, a Sport version which had a one piece roof unlike the standard version which had a rather useful fold back sunroof . This particular model had 21 bhp which improved he performance dramatically.

The major 500 models are as follows:

June 1957 Basic Economica 500 Nuova with 13bhp

Late 1957 revised model called The Normale with 15 bhp also with wind up windows.

1958-60 Sport with 499.5cc with 21bhp

1960 The 'D' model came along with revised engine and trim.

The first major change came in 1965 with The 'F' when the car lost its 'suicide doors' and gave way to front hinged doors.

The Lux version did not come until 1969-75 with full carpet and plastic revised dashboard and lots of bright work.

Less unknown was The 500 'R' that was never imported to The UK which was the 'L' body on the new 126 chassis.

Being one of the easiest cars to park, one of the cheapest classic cars to buy, very economical to run and repair makes The 500 not only one of the most stylish mass-produced cars ever produced but an incredibly roust town car for The person who wants to stand-out from The crowd.
In addition it has excelled for many people throughout Europe as a businesslike touring car as well as competition car.

The above history was unashamedly pinched from the Internet. Your editor can recall seeing these things buzzing around at various SCCA events in the 60s and 70s. He can also recall that they were not designed for taller people, having scrunched himself into one at one time and needed considerable effort to get out later!

If you have had the chance to read the previews of the other Gunze car kits I have bought over the years, then you know that what you'll get is a well molded and well detailed kit of what is a very small car. This one includes three resin figures for a Japanese anime that seems to be set in Europe (which is great for marketing these kits). The bad guys on the box art of the Citroen 2CV seem to be pulled right out of '50's mafia movies and while there is undoubtedly some sort of description of this series on the box and in the instructions, it is all in Japanese so it totally unintelligible to me.

The figures are very well molded in resin, though a few of the finer pieces were broken during shipment from Japan, where I ordered this kit There is a tiny P.E. fret with an engine hinge and glasses for one of the figures. Vinyl is included for the tires, seats, and the sun-roof. The chrome plating is very well done and you get metal axles and rivets. The two sprues of white plastic for the majority of the kit are well molded and free from the usual glitches. There is a full engine and one must cut away the rear engine hatch to allow it to be seen. The one-piece body is molded in red (to preclude painting, no doubt).

Instructions are well done and mostly in Japanese. No Englishmen were harmed in the writing of these instructions. Colors are given in English as is a warning that it isn't suitable for children under 3. I'm sure the color references are for Gunze paints as every Japanese model company except Tamiya references them. Decals are for the plates, instrument, and the eyes of the figures.