The fiat 500 nobody wanted to save
Discussion
_Leg_ said:
Good man. I share your pain/joy.
I bought this 1967 RHD original Abarth (Papers back to Radbourne Racing) as 'restored' right at the top of the classic market because I wanted it. Around a year later the paint started peeling for some bizarre reason. Decided to respray it and after having it heat stripped realised a few panels weren't ideal so replaced them. Then realised a few bits needed fabricating so had that done too.
Whilst the body was being sorted we stripped the engine to check all was well and some parts were worn so bought all new internals. I was in an 'in for a penny....' mode.
The upshot? Buying the car and sorting it has amounted to £46,000.
Friends think I'm mad but I just liken it to buying a puppy. You might pay £500 for the dog but once it's your dog, if a £5000 vet's bill comes, you've just got to pay it.
On the upside, the car is absolutely superb.
As bought
Restoration
![](https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/lGqhxe.jpg[/IMG]</a> <a href="https://imageshack.com/i/pmuxaJvrj" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[IMG]https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/uxaJvr.jpg)
Yours is gorgeous! Hopefully I can get mine into a state close to that! I’m still on the fence with colour choices, every time I think I’ve decided I change my mind again! Decision time is fast approaching!I bought this 1967 RHD original Abarth (Papers back to Radbourne Racing) as 'restored' right at the top of the classic market because I wanted it. Around a year later the paint started peeling for some bizarre reason. Decided to respray it and after having it heat stripped realised a few panels weren't ideal so replaced them. Then realised a few bits needed fabricating so had that done too.
Whilst the body was being sorted we stripped the engine to check all was well and some parts were worn so bought all new internals. I was in an 'in for a penny....' mode.
The upshot? Buying the car and sorting it has amounted to £46,000.
Friends think I'm mad but I just liken it to buying a puppy. You might pay £500 for the dog but once it's your dog, if a £5000 vet's bill comes, you've just got to pay it.
On the upside, the car is absolutely superb.
As bought
Restoration
I’ve had to order different sanding wheels to finish stripping the bonnet and boot, so I’ve moved into the doors
Right hand door is pretty good, it’s solid, with only really one crease in it
_Leg_ said:
Good man. I share your pain/joy.
I bought this 1967 RHD original Abarth (Papers back to Radbourne Racing) as 'restored' right at the top of the classic market because I wanted it. Around a year later the paint started peeling for some bizarre reason. Decided to respray it and after having it heat stripped realised a few panels weren't ideal so replaced them. Then realised a few bits needed fabricating so had that done too.
Whilst the body was being sorted we stripped the engine to check all was well and some parts were worn so bought all new internals. I was in an 'in for a penny....' mode.
The upshot? Buying the car and sorting it has amounted to £46,000.
Friends think I'm mad but I just liken it to buying a puppy. You might pay £500 for the dog but once it's your dog, if a £5000 vet's bill comes, you've just got to pay it.
On the upside, the car is absolutely superb.
As bought
Restoration
As someone who a few years ago had to face a 5000 pound vet bill, good analogy.I bought this 1967 RHD original Abarth (Papers back to Radbourne Racing) as 'restored' right at the top of the classic market because I wanted it. Around a year later the paint started peeling for some bizarre reason. Decided to respray it and after having it heat stripped realised a few panels weren't ideal so replaced them. Then realised a few bits needed fabricating so had that done too.
Whilst the body was being sorted we stripped the engine to check all was well and some parts were worn so bought all new internals. I was in an 'in for a penny....' mode.
The upshot? Buying the car and sorting it has amounted to £46,000.
Friends think I'm mad but I just liken it to buying a puppy. You might pay £500 for the dog but once it's your dog, if a £5000 vet's bill comes, you've just got to pay it.
On the upside, the car is absolutely superb.
As bought
Restoration
And yes I paid it.
The doors hinges had worn out so I purchased a rebuild kit, normally the nylon bushes wear out which allows the door to drop when opened. Mine it turns out were worn out aswell as the hinge itself which meant the locating pin hole was now also an oval. I welded these up and redrilled
I have also decided while I’m doing all this work, makes sense to convert it to rhd (nothing like making more work for yourself
)
So I’ve welded in a flush plate where the old speedo hole was, and welded up the switch holes and moved the bracket. Quick skim of filler and you’d never know
I have also decided while I’m doing all this work, makes sense to convert it to rhd (nothing like making more work for yourself
) So I’ve welded in a flush plate where the old speedo hole was, and welded up the switch holes and moved the bracket. Quick skim of filler and you’d never know
Just a quick update
The 500 is now in the bodyshop, they are sorting out some bits I’ve missed and finessing door gaps etc
I have also tracked down the correct steering wheel for an F, rather than the L wheel I previously had fitted
The 500 is now in the bodyshop, they are sorting out some bits I’ve missed and finessing door gaps etc
I have also tracked down the correct steering wheel for an F, rather than the L wheel I previously had fitted
Edited by christianyoung on Sunday 16th August 15:14
Finally started putting this back together, hopefully updates won’t be as few and far between as they have been so far
I decided to start with the suspension. Everything is either getting replaced with new, or refurbished and powdercoated. I have gone for fiat 500 R rear springs which gives it a 30mm drop over standard, and an Abarth front leaf spring which lowers it about 20mm
Hopefully more updates to follow over the Christmas break
I decided to start with the suspension. Everything is either getting replaced with new, or refurbished and powdercoated. I have gone for fiat 500 R rear springs which gives it a 30mm drop over standard, and an Abarth front leaf spring which lowers it about 20mm
Hopefully more updates to follow over the Christmas break
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