1996 Fiat Cinquecento SPORTING (Running ok now)

[Czechered Flag]

Yet another ride joins the Czechered Flag fleet following the departure of my 'RAT' Felicia, its a '96 Fiat Cinquecento SPORTING that I got off my mate in exchange for a camcorder I wasnt using. It's tested for 6 months and has had a bit of money spent on it recently, its faded red in colour, and reasonably tidy for its age. This is going to be used as my daily driver, so I can get stuck into the rally conversion of my Skoda Estelle 120L5.

Pics will follow later once i've collected it tonight.

[Czechered Flag]

Just got home after collecting the Chink from Scunny, battery was flat so had to jump/bump start, it had been sat for 3 months, had to put a bit of air in a couple of tyres, then set off for the drive home, luckily i was following my mate back because the headlights need adjusting, couldn't see a damn thing, didnt even dazzle anyone when i was on main beam. Driving home there seems to be a few knocks and bangs from the back end so these need to be investigated, the hazards don't work, neither does the windscreen washers or the radio (suspect fuse) and it seems a bit sluggish (probably used to my rally engined Estelle).

Not sure on my plans yet, but it will be a daily driver, here's a few shonky phone pics





Better pics will come tomorrow once my camera battery's charged

[Czechered Flag]

UPDATE

Bloody thing broke down last night, temp gauge went right up into red, fairly quickly, luckily managed to get to McD's/BP garage on A45 nr Raunds, where i sat for 5ish hrs waiting for RAC and then a recovery truck to get me home. Got home at 2.30am this morning.

RAC bloke checked the car over and checked the pressure in the system etc and found it to be ok, he said it would probably get me home, but due to being 90 miles from home, he arranged the tow truck.

Went out to the car this morning, and everything seemed ok, no loss of water etc, took the car to work, 2 return journeys today and everything seems ok.

Bloody FIATS

[J.P]

Those wheels are cool. Shame about the break down. Slam it and some low profile tyres Who needs practicality.

[Czechered Flag]

Picked up a spare set of those alloys yesterday, c/w very good tyres, found on the ClubCento forum and were FREE for collection, so i'll be swapping them over shortly and polishing a set. Looking for a set of lowering springs after christmas.

I agree about who needs practicality, especially as i'm 6' 4" and 19 stone.

[BiAS]

Good to see the pics, looks like quite a straight one too.
Radiator looking a bit ropey? If not, make sure it's bled properly, one bleed screw near the battery another on the end of a bit of pipe somewhere near the back of the o/s headlamp, should come up through the hole in the inner wing behind the indicator.

[Czechered Flag]

Cheers mate, will have a look, better pics to come shortly. It is a good car, great fun to drive, and tidy for what it is.

Mods to come after christmas as funds allow

[Fennec]

What size are the original wheels?? Fiats are my second love, as I've owned several. the breakdown is a mystery to me too?

[v8chevette]

Here's some inspiration I owned this car around 11 years ago, fitted -40mm PI springs 6x14 alloys with Yokohama rubber Tarox grooved/cross drilled disks and pads, Abarth side skirts, Janspeed stainless system and a K&N filter.

It handled like a go-cart and the brakes would put you through the windscreen

[moomin]

girl friend has one of those, just finished polishing these to go on it....



deffo need to low it^ can the spring be cut on these i haven't looked at mine yet

[Czechered Flag]

My RAT Felicia had cut springs and i wont be going down that route, lowering springs on Ebay around £50-60.

Like the wheels, what are they?

[moomin]

coolness get some of those on there yours would look sex as lowered i must say. Roll skate anyone?

Wheels are Cosmic slot mags, found on all sorts of old things

[Czechered Flag]

After an overhaul/service my little Cinquecento seems to be running ok now and was the perfect excuse to take it out for a few better pics.








I've noticed a split in the rear bumper and the laquer peeling off in a couple of places, and there is a little bit of rust below the windscreen but nothing to major, over all it is very tidy for a FIAT, especially as it's done around 98000 miles.

Will be looking into lowering springs etc after the new year.

[Fennec]

Whatever you do, don't put a big stupid spoiler on, it'll look like a shopping trolley!

[Czechered Flag]

I'm thinking of going Euro syle with it, lowered about 60mm, on a set of wide alloys, if i can find some cheaply, this will be done on a tight budget