The
Fiat 500 Serie F, acquired by the famous Museum of Modern Art in New York in
2017, was seen by the general public for the first time yesterday. The car will
be on show in the "The Value of Good Design" exhibition that tells
the story of industrial design through the works of the collection of the MoMA
running until June 15, 2019.
The
prestigious induction in MoMA’s galleries further certifies the historical
importance and symbolic value of the Fiat 500 of the 1950s as an Italian style
icon that embodies many of the typical features of modernist design of the age
and connects to the themes explored by the collections on display in the museum
in New York.
The
Fiat 500 on display at the MoMA is a Series F model. This was the most famous
series of all and was made from 1965 to 1972. Counting the other
first-generation versions (Sport, D, L, R), a total of over four million rolled
off the lines from 1957 to 1975. Adding the units made since the 500 was
revamped in 2007, over six million cars have been manufactured, making this one
of the best-selling Fiat models of all time.
Designed
by Dante Giacosa and launched in 1957, the Fiat "Nuova" 500 was
designed as an affordable car to put post-war Europe on wheels. The basic
concept is that high-quality design should be accessible to all. In spite of
its small size, Giacosa's design maximised the space inside, creating a surprisingly
roomy interior able to accommodate four passengers. The standard folding soft
top gave this budget car a touch of luxury, while reducing the use of steel,
that was very expensive at that time, needed to make it.
The
Fiat 500 Serie F, acquired by the famous Museum of Modern Art in New York in
2017, was seen by the general public for the first time yesterday. The car will
be on show in the "The Value of Good Design" exhibition that tells
the story of industrial design through the works of the collection of the MoMA
running until June 15, 2019.
The
prestigious induction in MoMA’s galleries further certifies the historical
importance and symbolic value of the Fiat 500 of the 1950s as an Italian style
icon that embodies many of the typical features of modernist design of the age
and connects to the themes explored by the collections on display in the museum
in New York.
The
Fiat 500 on display at the MoMA is a Series F model. This was the most famous
series of all and was made from 1965 to 1972. Counting the other
first-generation versions (Sport, D, L, R), a total of over four million rolled
off the lines from 1957 to 1975. Adding the units made since the 500 was
revamped in 2007, over six million cars have been manufactured, making this one
of the best-selling Fiat models of all time.
Designed
by Dante Giacosa and launched in 1957, the Fiat "Nuova" 500 was
designed as an affordable car to put post-war Europe on wheels. The basic
concept is that high-quality design should be accessible to all. In spite of
its small size, Giacosa's design maximised the space inside, creating a surprisingly
roomy interior able to accommodate four passengers. The standard folding soft
top gave this budget car a touch of luxury, while reducing the use of steel,
that was very expensive at that time, needed to make it.
