The News Wheel
No Comments

Spotlight: Lupin the Third’s Iconic Yellow 1957 Fiat 500

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page
Lupin the Third's Iconic Yellow 1957 Fiat 500 special edition
The iconic yellow Fiat 500
Photo: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Anyone who’s familiar with classic Japanese anime probably has a soft spot for Lupin III. The brilliant but mischievous grandson of Maurice Leblanc’s Victorian anti-hero Arsène Lupin, this new incarnation of the gentleman thief originated in Monkey Punch’s 1960s manga and has spawned a multi-part anime series, dozens of films, a couple video games, and other pop culture appearances.

One of the most recognizable aspects of the franchise’s 50-year legacy is its array of memorable characters. Alongside Fujiko, Jigen, and Goemon, Lupin’s mischievous gang has one other iconic member: his iconic yellow 1957 Fiat 500.

An appreciation of Lupin the III’s Fiat 500

We can’t count the number of times Lupin III’s Fiat 500 leapt over chasms or endured a shower of bullets. The Italian city car, which was produced between 1957-1975, has always looked like a real-life cartoon, so it’s fitting that the model has been immortalized in the animated frames of Lupin the III . Less than 10 feet long and great for quick steering, the vehicle is perfect for the frantic predicaments that Lupin constantly escapes.

The first pairing of Lupin III and his Fiat 500 came in 1979 when Hayao Miyazaki produced the full-length animated movie Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro. Depicted in the opening car chase on the edge of a cliff, this sporty yellow compact immediately caught people’s attention. The whole sequence was a perfect example of what made the Fiat 500 so fitting in the Lupin universe: Its small, unassuming appearance took on bigger cars with more armor and weaponry. But, with some cleverness and determination, it could slickly evade any obstacle.

It was much more fitting for the character’s charades than the Mercedes SSK driven by Lupin in the anime series up until then. Some fans have theorized that the new vehicle was incorporated into Lupin lore because animator Yasuo Otsuka owned one and wanted to pay homage to Lupin’s huge fan base in Italy (which is why Part IV will be set in Italy).

Lupin the Third's Iconic Yellow 1957 Fiat 500 Castle of Cagliostro Miyazaki
The unforgettable debut of Lupin’s Fiat 500 in The Castle of Cagliostro
Photo: Toho/Tokyo Movie Shinsha

Lupin’s yellow Fiat 500 became part of the character’s heritage over the years, making subsequent appearances in other productions such as The Fuma Conspiracy (1987).

After Fiat revived the Nuova 500 in 2007 for the model’s 50th anniversary, the automaker made a special edition of the 500 in 2009. In honor of the 40-year relationship which began in 1979, Fiat released a special Lupin Edition of the 500 in the specific shade of yellow, with the character’s name attached. This commemoration was also done in conjunction with the 2008 release of Lupin III: Green Vs. Red, the 40th anniversary OVA special of the annual Lupin specials.

A couple years ago, Gekko & Co. released a limited-edition vanilla yellow Fiat 500 EV paying homage to Lupin, too.

Lupin the Third's Iconic Yellow 1957 Fiat 500 2014 live action movie film
The Fiat 500 stars in 2014’s Lupin III
Photo: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles/Toho

In 2014, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Japan again used Lupin as a selling point for the Fiat 500 in anticipation of a big-budget Lupin the 3rd live-action movie. The car was promoted in a series of Fiat commercials that showed how well the yellow coupe looks in a live-action cartoon.

The coolest homage to the city car is easily the Fiat 500 Lupin Edition by Italian automotive accessories company Black Torino. It toured Europe a couple years ago and featured many Lupin-themed accessories which were sold in conjunction. The model featured crosshairs on the headrests, character silhouettes on the seats, fake bullet holes in the body, and Lupin’s name and facade all over.

Lupin the Third's Iconic Yellow 1957 Fiat 500 Black Torino special edition Il Covo degli Abarthisti
Black’s amazing take on Lupin’s Fiat 500
Photo: Il Covo degli Abarthisti via Facebook

As Lupin the Third continues his escapades in forthcoming TV specials, theatrical films, and series installments, he’s sure to have his recognizable, beloved yellow Fiat parked close by for a quick escape.