When Fiat announced that there would be a special Fiat 500 for Barbie, the most famous fashion doll in the world, to celebrate her 50th birthday there were suggestions that the special Fiat 500 would be a mere model like its owner and its engine would be no more active than Ken’s famously anatomically incorrect parts – but here is living proof that the nail vanish pink Fiat 500 exists in full size – and with a full size Italian interpretation of Barbie.

The special, one-off show car was designed and built in a partnership between Fiat’s Style Centre (Centro Stile) and toy maker Mattel, to mark five decades of the internationally-known icon.

The bright pink Fiat 500 transported a real-life ‘Barbie’ model through the streets of fashionable Milan, driven by an equally life-like ‘Ken’. She arrived at Milan’s La Rinascente department store, while German pop band Nena played live songs from the last 50 years. Bright crystals sparkle on interior bezels, hubcaps, window mouldings and the roof-mounted aerial, and there is even an outline of Barbie’s famed silhouette on the B-pillars.

“Barbie is a looker, smart enough to listen to everyone, a universal ambassador opting for a car that never divides, but frees everyone from having to declare their social status,” said Roberto Giolito, Fiat Style Director and creator of the Fiat 500.