Admit it, we’ve all considered it. You see the blue lights in your mirror as a police officer latches on behind and just for a split second you start computing his horsepower against yours, what kind of lead you already have, and whether, if you just mashed that right pedal into the firewall so hard your toe would be brushing the tie-rod, you might manage to disappear into the distance and escape a ticket, or worse.
Maybe some of you have tried it and pulled it off. Most of us though, have snapped to our senses, perhaps realizing that our significant other and the two pre-schoolers in the back seat wouldn’t be that pleased about being thrust into a cross county police chase just to avoid a $150 fine. But take a look at this toy-like Fiat 500 that once belonged to Italy’s Carabinieri police force and tell us you wouldn’t make a break for it.
In Italy’s slightly complicated law enforcement system, the Carabinieri is more of a military police than a regular patrol outfit, but they still have absolute authority to pull you over if they suspect you’re up to no good. Unfortunately, with just 18 hp (18 PS) available from its 499 cc air-cooled flat twin, a top speed of about 60 mph (96 km/h), and a zero to 50 mph, yes 50 mph (81 km/h), time of 35.8 seconds, this car’s “authority” is somewhat lacking.
Currently up for sale on the Collecting Cars auction site, this 1970 500 is apparently a genuine Carabinieri vehicle, and in addition to the distinctive red and white graphics also comes with a functional blue roof light. Being a basic F model, rather than the more luxurious L version, it has a simpler interior with the classic circular speedometer that looks more appealing to modern eyes, but you still get the opening sunroof (maybe it’s so you can shoot the bad guys as they accelerate into the distance).
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This particular car looks smart at first glance, but needs a bit of minor TLC to the paint and electrics. Nothing that should put you off, and neither should the laughable power output. They might be no good for catching criminals, but these 500s are great fun to drive, feel surprisingly nippy in town, and with no synchromesh on any gears, you’ll have loads of fun rev matching your way up and down the ’box on every drive.
