1971 Fiat 500L (Updated 14/02)

[blacksaff]

Ok, so not really sure why I've not done a thread on this little car. Those of you that know me will know I have a few projects on the go. However this one is a great little project.

Rewind back to the start of the year and I found this online.


Only problem is that it was in Holland. However on speaking to the seller he delivers a lot to the UK. So I did my homework (A lot) started to watch the currency rates (A lot) then did the deal with this and another Black 1968 500L.

Fast forward a bit and here is the car landed in the UK as arranged.

NOVA completed and we are off. The car looks really good it it had a few minor bodywork related issues that needed sorting. So the car was booked in to the bodyshop and stripped down.



Fuel tank off.

Rubbed down ready for repainting.


Fast forward some more to yesterday and this is how it currently stands.


It's been 75% repainted. There were some marks along the guttering visible in the pictures and also a couple of scabs/micro blisters in the paint. It's been painted roof down to the second curve on the side and also both rear qtrs.

Looking forward to collecting it and putting it back together with all new bits and bobs.

Thanks for looking and all comments welcomed and appreciated.

[hamps]

That looks smart love the colour too!

[shielsy68]

i have just done one too

[shielsy68]

[blacksaff]

hamps - Thanks mate, I think it's a nice blue for it really. Suits the shape and size of the car.

shielsy68 - That's some great work, I've fully read your thread on the car. Some great work going on there.

[shielsy68]

thank u for both cars

[blacksaff]

Update time for the little 500L.

Got a phone call from the bodyshop to say the work on the 500 was complete. They had done more than originally estimated for by painting both rear quarters fully. However they didn't charge me anymore.

I can't rate these guys enough, so well worth a call. www.finishlineukltd.co.uk

Here it is all loaded up looking fresh and crisp.



Finally back in its home waiting to be refitted up.


Looking forward to putting all the trim back on it and seeing it in the flesh. Not sure you can see in the picture but the aerial in the centre of the roof has been removed. This is the only modification that was done and has now been returned to original.

Thanks for looking and all comments welcomed.

[blacksaff]

So update time on the 500. Been busily putting it all back together again, new parts have come from fiat500ricambi.com in Holland.

First job, the doors need to be fitted back up.


On go the new clips for the chrome surrounds both sides.


Chrome surrounds in. Drop glass back in, opening quarter light glass in and door handle back on.


Next up the rear and front windscreens were put back in.


Using the approved 'special tool'.

Chrome finisher inserted into the windscreen rubber.

Next up. The opening rear quarter windows were refitted to the car.



Then it was the folding roof refitted to the car.


Getting there slowly, needs a damn good clean and polish as it's covered in finger prints. But it's getting there. Also got a problem with the left indicators not working but right hand side are ok! Strange one.

Anyway. Further updates to follow. Thank you for looking.

[mk2polobloke]

As is the norm for you, another superb car being built/restored properly.
Looks an absolute minter.

[blacksaff]

mk2polobloke - Thanks buddy, I really appreciate comments like that. It's nice to think that people view my work that way. Many thanks indeed.

[blacksaff]

Time for another update.

I fixed the problem with the indicators. Traced the wiring from an old diagram I had. Turned out that someone in the passed had completely re-wired the N/S rear lamp incorrectly.

This solved the indicators, however I'm left with this under the bonnet. Those of you that know my work will know that seeing this almost gave me a headache. So I will need to sort through the wiring as is my OCD and neaten it up. ALOT!

Also another little job under the bonnet. For some reason Fiat really love using colostomy bags for windscreen washer bottles. This 500 is no exception. It was looking very sorry for itself.

However, with a little magic and the power of cleaning products I transformed it in to this.

Looking far more presentable.

Some more updates to follow in the next week or so. Thanks for looking.

[shielsy68]

that blue is beautiful well done

[blacksaff]

shielsy68 - Thanks mate, not seen any others in a similar blue colour. I do really like it.

So time for an update, did some more today on the little Italian.

The wheels are looking a bit tired and I think they desperately need a powder coating in silver. I didn't realise that they had inner tubes in the tyres. Never owned a car with inner tubes on before.


I also fitted up the passenger door from the inside. Fitted up with all new trims.

For example I fitted these much stronger and better looking interior door handle. The originals were the plastic ones and didn't feel comfortable.


Things are moving along with the Bambino, thanks for looking and all comments appreciated.

[blacksaff]

Time for an update on the little 500.

Firstly, you may remember that under the bonnet it was looking like this.

Well after a lot of fabric insulation tape around the loom, some cable ties to pull it all together the loom was looking a lot better. I then fitted the freshly painted tank with straps back under the bonnet. I also put the new boot carpet in and it's starting to look a whole load better I reckon.


Next up was the brakes, however I should have learnt my lesson from the 126, as during bleeding the master cylinder piston has seized in the housing. So a new master cylinder is in order.

Next up are the wheels, these will be powder coated in fresh wet look silver.


Thanks for looking and all comments welcomed and appreciated.

[dikkehemaworst]

The waterbag is from a fiat 126.
It's an electric bag. Difficult to get parts for , but 126 is often broken for spares. Be sure to put an extra fuse in the powerline , because the bag has a tendency to leak through the pump motor. Does the wide bag still fit the wheelwell?

[shielsy68]

hers mine  it was a basket case 

[blacksaff]

Dikkehemaworst - I didn't think it was the right bag for the car. Don't worry I'll be sure to make it safe. Not sure where I'll put the bag yet, I'll see where it best fits and then decide which looks neatest.

Time for another update on the 500.

Had a busy day up at the unit on it. First off, got it up in the air and stripped down the for the replacement of the suspected seized master cylinder.

First job was drain out all the old brake fluid and remove the reservoir for thorough cleaning.

The old master cylinder up under the front end as you can see I've removed the brake lines, they are quite new so can't be very old at all.

New next to old. On inspection, as expected the master cylinder was completely seized.

New master cylinder fitted back to the car complete with brake light switch.

Next up it was a case of filling the system back up with fluid and bleeding out all the air via each bleed nipple. Check out my fluid!

Whilst I had the wheels off I thought it would be a good idea to inspect/service the brakes. I was pleasantly surprised to see they were all near enough brand new;
Fronts.


Rears.


Brakes all complete and put back together it was time to put it back where it started.


Thanks for looking, all comments appreciated.

[blacksaff]

More work carried out today.

A job that I'd been putting off but needed to be done.

I had the same problem on my 126, as you can see the driveshaft oil boots were leaking all out from the gearbox. This is the O/S

This is the N/S.

You can also see the dust covers were perished and split as well.

Here you can see the driveshaft all stripped down and ready for cleaning and refitting of new boots.


Here are the new and the old on the bench, you can see the driveshaft flange and also the boot fixing plate. New boots and new dust covers.

Here is a close up of the rubber oil seals, you can see the old one is split and is also the rubber has hardened and is stuck in its position. The new boot is central and the rubber is still workable.

Close up of the dust seals.

Next up it was a matter of removing the gearbox oil drain plug and getting rid of the old oil. The drain plug came undone easy. However, the same couldn't be said about the filler plug. Luckily I'd already experienced this problem with the 126 so I was well prepared. I have a new plug ready to go in.

I can't recommend these sockets enough, they're fantastic at removing damaged or corroded bolts! These are BluePoint but other sets are available. They've got me out of the curse word a few times.


Thanks all for looking and all comments welcomed and appreciated.

[blacksaff]

Ok well I'm pleased to announce that the little 500 is ready for MOT and UK registration.

Firstly the wheels came back from the powder coaters and I'm really pleased with the results.


Once they were fitted up, I took some photos of the car outside. Here is the end result.


















Come the Spring this one will be going up for sale, it was always the plan from the very beginning. My enjoyment has come from the work and would love to get on with some of my other projects.

Thanks for looking and all comments welcomed.

[dikkehemaworst]

Love that you keep all your cars original. So in my opinion you've got way too few fiats in your collection :-) great update again and enjoy your summer outtings...