# 1973 Fiat 500 Pickup Truck Restoration A rare Italian pickup conversion gets a second life - **Source:** [Core77](https://brifing.si/source/f6ad2371-dd12-4b4f-8976-2d2533729d9b) - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/26014f0f-ae9c-4e88-8788-b98de3fe98fd ## Niche automotive customization In the 1970s, some Italian Fiat 500 owners commissioned coachbuilders to convert their compact cars into pickup trucks. These rare conversions represent a unique chapter in automotive history, blending utilitarian function with Italian design sensibility. The 1973 example recently restored by French company Parfait Etat showcases this obscure customization trend. ## Purpose-built functionality These Fiat 500 pickups were likely used for light commercial purposes in urban environments. Their small size made them ideal for navigating narrow Italian streets while carrying modest loads. The conversion maintained the original car's rear-engine layout but added an open cargo area where the rear seats would normally be. ## Restoration challenges Bringing a 50-year-old custom vehicle back to life presents unique difficulties. Restorers must preserve both the original Fiat 500 components and the coachbuilder's modifications. The process involves sourcing rare parts and maintaining the truck's distinctive character while ensuring roadworthiness. ## Cultural significance These conversions reflect a period when European automakers focused on small, efficient vehicles. The pickup modifications demonstrate how owners adapted mass-produced cars for specialized needs. They represent an alternative to mainstream commercial vehicles of the era. ## Current market value As highly unusual variants, Fiat 500 pickups attract collectors of obscure automotive history. Their value lies in rarity rather than performance, with restored examples becoming conversation pieces. The market for such niche vehicles remains small but passionate. ## Design philosophy The conversions maintained the Fiat 500's charming proportions while adding functionality. Coachbuilders had to carefully integrate the pickup bed without disrupting the car's iconic silhouette. The result blends practicality with the 500's distinctive aesthetic. ## Modern parallels Today's automotive customization scene continues this tradition of personalizing small cars. However, modern regulations make such extensive modifications more challenging. The Fiat 500 pickups represent a less restricted era of vehicle adaptation. ## Preservation importance These rare conversions document an almost forgotten chapter of automotive history. Each surviving example helps preserve knowledge about coachbuilding techniques and owner customization trends from the 1970s. They serve as physical records of automotive culture. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.core77.com/posts/145399/A-1973-Fiat-Pickup-Truck — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._