Vehicle Description

A very strong base for a perfect customised restoration.

History.

Simple, cute and a pleasure to drive. Fiat 500 have are famous for these three main reasons, which give it character and the fame it deserves.
Fiat 500’s were born in the post-war era when Fiat took the honour of putting 4 wheels in a family, creating a small but still ‘practical’ and affordable family car. The first model was the Fiat 500 ‘N’ which took by ‘Nuova 500’ (new 500 in english) which was the transformation from the boxy big 500 of the 50’s. Having a few flaws, Fiat decided to redesign a few parts, review some small exterior and interior parts and give it a new letter, hence how the Fiat 500 D was born. As the years go by, Fiat adds them small but important updates to Italy’s most famous family car and it was the year 1970 when at Turin’s car show, the Icon was once again updated to meet the needs of more modern and defined cars – the Fiat 500 ‘Lusso’ was out: new dashboard (now covered with a plastic mask) new instrument dash, new seats, new redefined interior, goodbye boxy synchromesh and hello drivable Fiat 500.

– BOX OF BRAND NEW PARTS IS INCLUDED!
(see bottom of description for further details)
– MOT’D OCTOBER 2015 WITH NO ADVISORIES.
– STARTS STOPS AND DRIVES GREAT.
– V5 AND PLATES PRESENT.

This ‘aragosta‘ coloured Fiat 500L presents itself very well. It has had a fresh MOT in October reporting no advisories. This italian icon is very complete: lamps, indicators, switches, hooks, wheel hubs are all in excellent condition.

Engine and transmission

The sparkling 499.5 cc fires up at the turn of the key (or pull of the lever) and gets to temperature very quickly. The spark plugs are of a lovely browny colour and the original Weber 26 is in extremely clean conditions (see pictures). The engine bay is in fact solid and clean. The synchronised transmission is in good order, all 4 gears and reverse slot in easily and remain in gear while driving. Noises and creeks are not present while driving around. It corners and steers well with no signs of extreme usury of the suspension/steering system. Wheel bearings and suspensions make virtually no noise. The braking system works egregiously, brake oil has just been replaced and the car now stops and sits on the handbrake safely.
Hundreds of euros have been spent up to date to keep the mechanical side working well and it can be recognised just by driving it around town. In fact, it can be driven off our premises on collection.
The mechanical side is only in need of a periodic service which would include oil, filters and the relative gaskets (sump gasket included in package). The tyres on this car are 90% all round and grip to the road very well. There are no cracks and the rubber itself is nice and flexible.

Interior

The interior of the car is a delight to look at and sit in. Almost everything inside seems to have been restored or replaced with original and NOS parts. Covers, carpets and the smaller accessories have been picked carefully in order to match the year’s correct ones. The steering wheel does not present any sort of crack or ageing signs. Every switch and light works – inside out. The seat covers don’t present any rips and have maintained themselves very well, the seats can be taken in and out for any inspection very easily; they slide back and forward to meet the passenger and driver’s expectations and they are very comfortable for the year. The door cards are also great, they match the colour and style of the seats on all 4 corners – however the passenger’s side one does present a little hole in. Check pictures for more details.
We also include in the sale parts which would allow this 500 not to sit in the ‘average’ interior category: a brand new knee pad kit a brand new dashboard trim to be fitted if current ones aren’t of pleasure.

Exterior

The car sits straight; doors and hoods shut tight and most gaskets around the car are in good conditions. The glass windows and windshield do not present any major scratches and the aluminium trim just needs a deep clean. The paintwork presents some cracks on different parts of the body and some cliche bubbles seems to be appearing on panels where you’d expect them. Some parts of the paint seem to have faded slightly. However, it doesn’t present any rust holes or perforating rust when inspected – in fact the  parts which need taking care of are photographed and present in the gallery. An overall exterior respray and reconditioning of the coachwork is suggested and would simply bring it back to its original glory and match the standards of restoration of the interior of the vehicle, increasing indeed the value of the vehicle. Furthermore, by being a complete car, it would be a simple over-winter project which can be easily done in the garage due to the size of this icon. Despite the flaws, it is still fair to say this 500’s exterior is in drivable conditions and the coachwork/paint work can be postponed to a couple of years from now.

We’ve put this 500 under some tough tests, we have also tried out the water tightness of the car and not a drop of water gets in the car by washing it. Therefore if you’re interested in carrying out some sort of different DIY project over the winter and enjoy the end result this summer, look no further. This is the portrait of an easy restoration: complete, solid and currently in perfectly working conditions.

BOX OF BRAND NEW PARTS INCLUDE: Brand new knee pad kit, brand new sump gasket, brand new engine bonnet gasket, brand new plastic dashboard.

V5, scans of its Italian documents, car jack and brand new black number plates are ready to be handed over.

If you have any further questions about the car itself, the photos, parts or restoration please do not hesitate contacting us.

 

Vehicle Specifications

• Registration date: 1971
• Milage: 25,000 mi
• Condition: Used
• Exterior Color: Red
• Interior Color: Black
• Transmission: Manual
• Engine: 0.5 L
• Drivetrain: RWD