Fiat 500 F Decathlon

Introduced in 1965, the Fiat 500 F marked the most mature stage in the evolution of Italy’s iconic microcar, blending incremental mechanical improvements with everyday usability while retaining the simplicity and character that made the 500 inseparable from the idea of la dolce vita.

Its rear-mounted 499 cc twin-cylinder engine remained unchanged in spirit, continuing to serve as reliable transport for a nation on the move, now joined by front-hinged doors, better outward visibility, and a noticeably more accommodating interior.

One of the most intriguing reinterpretations of the Fiat 500 platform was the Sibona-Basano “Decathlon” Spiaggina, an open-bodied conversion created by the Turin-based coachbuilder founded by former Ghia artisans Giovanni and Pietro Sibona alongside Walter Basano.

Produced in very small numbers, the Decathlon abandoned the standard steel shell in favor of lightweight fiberglass bodywork. Wicker seats woven by hand, a removable fabric canopy, and pared-back details transformed the humble 500 into a carefree seaside runabout, conceived less as daily transport and more as a celebration of summer leisure.