Help - Fiat 500 Restoration Project

[AceArchie]

Hi all,

I am helping a friend restore their Classic Fiat 500 and im trying to source some info and possible people able to help.

The car starts, runs and works fine but is looking a little unkept, nothing major but its a winter project that is planned in getting the car back to brand new.


The plan for the Fiat is to be fully restored from a full inside & out respray to a full new upholstered interior.

The Respray and upholstery is being done locally, but other parts are needing to be done.


What is needed:

Firstly when looking at the Fiat 500, you can see which parts are going to need replacing, such as:

Dented bonnet,
Replacement boot,
Replacement wing mirrors,
General exterior trim & windscreen rubbers,
Reconditioned/new wheels and new white wall tyres.

Now... I need to know if their is any supplier to use that can help, without searching blind on the internet or scouting through eBay (unless this is the best option)?


Their has also been discussion on what to do with the engine. Wether it should it be replaced with a donor engine, such as a more modern bike engine and if so whats the best option for a replacement and where to buy? The other option was to get the engine firstly looked at and possibly refurbed/ re-skimmed or bored out. Like I said it runs fine but the owner is wanting the car to be as practical and driver friendly as possible without any issues and a bit more poke! The car is currently 4 star so an additive is needed to be mixed with the fuel which is a pain im told, so to get rid of this would also be a plus.

The brakes have been pointed out that they are a problem and may need addressing as they dont seem to work too well when wanting to pull up quick, which is expected! Can these be replaced with a more modern set up?


If anyone can offer any help or point the little Fiat 500 in the best direction where to go, that would be appreciated.

The car is located in West Sussex (just outside Brighton).

Thanks in Advance.

Edited by AceArchie on Sunday 31st October 14:25

[RosscoPCole]

Don't know if it's possible but I've always liked the idea of a Ducati bike engined classic Fiat 500. Could be a fantastic sleeper.

[davepoth]

Best bet for these is to bung the running gear in from a Fiat 126, the engine is bigger, and it has a fully syncromesh gearbox, but is more or less a bolt in modification. A bike engine will NOT make the car more user friendly unless the user likes trackdays.

There was an episode of Wheeler Dealers where they did a Fiat 500, probably worth a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJv6xwlsjj0&p=6...

Certainly front disk brake kits are available:

http://www.mrfiat.com/part.php?item=Cars/Fiat/Fiat...

I should think you'll be able to find them closer to home than that.

Edited by davepoth on Sunday 31st October 20:12

[AceArchie]

davepoth said:

Best bet for these is to bung the running gear in from a Fiat 126, the engine is bigger, and it has a fully syncromesh gearbox, but is more or less a bolt in modification. A bike engine will NOT make the car more user friendly unless the user likes trackdays.

There was an episode of Wheeler Dealers where they did a Fiat 500, probably worth a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJv6xwlsjj0&p=6...

Certainly front disk brake kits are available:

http://www.mrfiat.com/part.php?item=Cars/Fiat/Fiat...

I should think you'll be able to find them closer to home than that.

Edited by davepoth on Sunday 31st October 20:12

Excellent, massive help. Thanks!
I will forward this to her and watch it myself.
The bike engine was only an idea and would have looked for something that was very tame anyway but the 126 seems the best option if its a bung in job! Thanks again and keep the comments coming.

Edited by AceArchie on Sunday 31st October 20:23

[MikeyT]

The Wheeler Dealers prog where Mike Brewer buys the Fiat 500 was on tonight!

[Aero8]

Most parts are available from Ricambi or Ricambio, both have shops on ebay are are reliable and well priced. There are also good european suppliers with even more parts availabile such as http://www.fiat500126.de/. Mine was professionally restored by from the shell up by Colin Clarke (Miura expert). Everything, aside from the shell, including the engine, is new. I would suggest the 650 engine and front disc setup, electronic ignition.. If you need any images as you go along I'd be happy to help.

[NLB]

My ex had two as daily drivers, for several years in the '80s and '90s. The second one had a fair amount of work done, but none of it was particularly tricky, and the parts availability was very good then, in the early '90s - probably better now if anything. The stock engine and gearbox is tough and easy to work on, but the non-synchro 'box takes getting used to, and the performance is so low that it was actually quite hard to drive in London, as pulling out of junctions etc. was tricky. Even then, the 126 engine and gearbox swap was considered to be the best course of action, but we never got around to it. We did change the original dynamo for an alternator off a 126, which was a useful mod. My memory is that the stock drum brakes, well set up, are actually quite good given the (lack of) weight and performance. Terrific fun, on a twisty back road or pottering around town, and very cool. Also, our second one was bought for about £400 and tarted up for a grand or so.... Not the case now - I've just looked at prices - eek!

[Aero8]

NLB said:

Also, our second one was bought for about £400 and tarted up for a grand or so.... Not the case now - I've just looked at prices - eek!

True, nothing comes cheap these days. I paid £10k for mine and the restoration cost all of that and more :-/

Edited by Aero8 on Monday 1st November 11:19

[Stuart J]

have a trawl on here, theres a sopecific section for older 500's http://www.fiatforum.com/

Edited by Stuart J on Monday 1st November 13:46

[AceArchie]

Thanks chaps for all your replies. V. helpful indeed! I think the 126 looks the best bet in terms of engine solutions.
Where's the best place to purchase the whole engine if the car ends up going this route?

Edited by AceArchie on Monday 1st November 18:53

[CanAm]

Thee was a firm called Middle Barton Garage who used to advertise in Motor Sport who are 500 specialists.

[TonyBrooks]

You might find this link useful.

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/...

[yellowtr]

Try these guys, my friend bought pretty much every nut and bolt for his one from them

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Ricambi-Fiat-500-spare-pa...