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Author Topic: Considering a classic 500 - advice anyone?  (Read 2753 times)
Joe
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Abarth 500 SuperSport
« on: December 08, 2009, 08:49:03 PM »
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I'm looking at getting hold of a classic Fiat 500. Not an Abarth model, or anything crazy expensive - I'm mainly after a good, rust free shell and chassis with the intention of sticking a new engine and other bits and pieces in it. Can anyone offer any advice, or suggest the best place to look with regards to buying such a thing?

Cheers.
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fraserwh
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« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2009, 08:58:27 PM »
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ebay is probably the source of the greatest number including endless dogs, also try pistonheads and classiccar website. Remember to take a magnet when you inspect...in the real world there isnt such a thing as a rust free 500.
Most parts are available from specialists..get AutoItalia Magazine..look up backnumbers
Look at Middle Barton garage for parts (specialise in Abarth)

Consider fitting 126 engine and box also discs on front is a good conversion

Look on ebay italy for spares, loads available
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Joe
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« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2009, 09:05:06 PM »
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Okay, thanks. There's a guy somewhere in London I think who bores out original Fiat engines and bolts abarth bits onto them. They look and sound amazing. Discs & rollcage would be a certainty!

Been having a look on ebay, but they're either wrecks or expensive restorations. I'll pick up a copy of auto italia tomorrow.
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lloyd
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« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2009, 09:05:17 PM »
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yep, look at auto italia, they have done comparisons between standard cars and mildly upgraded ones
the last 500s had 126 drivetrains, don,t know of anyone squeezing a 4 cylinder engine into one (not in a practical way anyhow)
a solid car is about 4-5 grand but then its a shame to mess it about too much.. but you can,t upgrade a pile of filler,, so ,,your choice Thumb Up
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GTMartin
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« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2009, 09:17:21 PM »
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Quote from: lloyd on December 08, 2009, 09:05:17 PM
don,t know of anyone squeezing a 4 cylinder engine into one (not in a practical way anyhow)


utube has some 500's with jap 1000cc  or Hayabusa engins stuffed in them.

Martin
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cb500t
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« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2009, 09:31:05 PM »
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Quote from: Joe on December 08, 2009, 08:49:03 PM
- I'm mainly after a good, rust free shell and chassis
Cheers.

 Flog a dead horse

Much as I love them,sadly no such thing
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magicmole
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« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2009, 01:05:26 PM »
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It's a bit(!) over your budget but this looks rather nice..
http://www.classicdriver.de/uk/find/4100_dealers2_results.asp?next=4100_dealers2_results.asp&lCarID=1796268&lCurrency=2&dealerid=1337

And notice it's got a roll-back sunroof, just like the 500CA
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GTMartin
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« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2009, 02:27:55 PM »
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-500-L-1973-FULLY-RESTORED-by-RICAMBI-FIAT-500_W0QQitemZ200412303842QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item2ea98111e2

Same with this, over budget, but very nice.

Martin
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scuderia sitar
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« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2009, 03:29:13 PM »
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Quote from: GTMartin on December 09, 2009, 02:27:55 PM
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-500-L-1973-FULLY-RESTORED-by-RICAMBI-FIAT-500_W0QQitemZ200412303842QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item2ea98111e2

Same with this, over budget, but very nice.

Martin

Those people seem to do some excellent restorations.  They also did that funky barbeque which appeared on here a while back.
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Joe
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Abarth 500 SuperSport
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2009, 07:25:51 PM »
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They are two very nice examples, but perhaps a bit too nice...

Mainly after something as a cheap runabout, that i can easily fix, so 10 grand is way over budget!

Thanks for looking, although if something cropped up like that one rockingham(?) have in their dealership i'd be tempted...!
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lloyd
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« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2009, 07:32:49 PM »
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a fiat of this age will never be both cheap to run and easy to fix. the mechanical bits will be ok but a cheep car will have rust, and that won,t be easy to fix Thumb Down
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needsmust
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« Reply #11 on: December 09, 2009, 08:05:15 PM »
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You want something like this.  In fact, so do I.
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Joe
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Abarth 500 SuperSport
« Reply #12 on: December 09, 2009, 09:33:39 PM »
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Quote from: needsmust on December 09, 2009, 08:05:15 PM
You want something like this.  In fact, so do I.

No. Just no. Was that in a bond film?
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lloyd
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« Reply #13 on: December 09, 2009, 09:45:27 PM »
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what about a mk1 panda, then you can double the bhp in the abarth tradition. Grin

i might sponsor your project, i,ve got a brand new, still in its wrapper 1498cc fiat engine in the garage Thumb Up
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Joe
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Abarth 500 SuperSport
« Reply #14 on: December 09, 2009, 10:59:10 PM »
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Lloyd, let me get this correct. If I write "Lloyd" on the side of my car, will you give me an engine?
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