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What is this Fiat 500 and why is it almost a 3 wheeler?

Tom White
Deputy News Editor
26 Apr 2017
2 min read
0 Comments

Spotted on the darn Nurburgring of all places is this truly odd looking Fiat 500. We think it may be a manufacturer prototype.

We think this for a few reasons. Firstly: Why would anyone in their right mind make an aftermarket three-wheel 500 and secondly: It looks suspicously tidy to be a custom job, paticularly with the wheel sticker 'camouflage' - if you can call it that.

The number-plate prefix is a decent clue.
The number-plate prefix is a decent clue.

If you dig just under the surface though, there could be more to it. The German number-plate prefix OF stands for Offenbach.

It's a city in Germany that just happens to have a branch of GKN driveline, the same folks that helped develop the AWD drivetrain for the Fiat 500X SUV and Jeep Renegade.

So what are we looking at here? A new base-model city-runabout Fiat 500? A kind of modern-day BMW Isetta?

BMW's Isetta. Hilariously unsafe, even for 1955.
BMW's Isetta. Hilariously unsafe, even for 1955.

It was spotted thanks to this compilation by TOP Nurburgring Videos that showcases a whole bunch of other completely inappropriate vehicles being raced around during the famed tourist days.

Update -

Turns out this is a thing that Germans do and all our investigations were for nothing!

There is a German third-party company that will do this to a range of small cars for $5k. They'll do it to Volkswagen Polos, Seat Ibizas, Skoda Fabias or Fiat 500s.

It invloves changing the rear axle and de-tuning the engine to only 15kW. This is to re-classify the vehicle so that anyone as young as 16 can drive it.

The more you know.

The 500 appears at 3:47. Other highlights include GMC Savanna at 0:18 Ford Transit at 2:39 Jeep Wrangler at 2:13.

Tom White
Deputy News Editor
Despite studying ancient history and law at university, it makes sense Tom ended up writing about cars, as he spent the majority of his waking hours finding ways to drive as many as possible. His fascination with automobiles was also accompanied by an affinity for technology growing up, and he is just as comfortable tinkering with gadgets as he is behind the wheel. His time at CarsGuide has given him a nose for industry news and developments at the forefront of car technology.
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