There's a certain madness to car modification that separates the merely enthusiastic from the genuinely revelatory. This Tour de France Blue Fiat 500L sits firmly in the latter category, embodying what happens when someone with too much time, money and mechanical curiosity decides that Dante Giacosa's original packaging masterpiece engineering wasn't quite... spicy enough.
Yes, that’s right: what we have here is a 500L that's undergone the automotive equivalent of a heart transplant, brain surgery and complete skeletal reconstruction. The donor? A Subaru Impreza, which graciously contributed its EJ16 flat-four engine to the cause. The result is a 90bhp pocket rocket that weighs about as much as a double espresso.
The previous owner purchased this diminutive Italian in 2012 when it was merely tired rather than terminally ill. However, by 2013, structural corrosion had rendered it MOT-ineligible, at which point most sane individuals would have waved goodbye. Instead, the car was dispatched to Z-Cars in Hull – a firm well known for their Mini-based lunacy – who proceeded to embark on a transformation that would ultimately consume more than £50k.
The work began with comprehensive rust excision and a respray in Ferrari's Tour de France Blue – because if you're going to spend supercar money, you might as well nick their colour palette, too. The shell was then prepared for its new powerplant, with Z-Cars fabricating a cradle subframe to house the Subaru's flat-four.
Engineering highlights include the completely inverted gearbox (the internals were custom-cut to run in the opposite direction due to the engine's 180-degree transposition), bespoke exhaust system and a modified classic Mini gear selector. The front suspension uses Ricambio's off-the-shelf conversion kit allowing Cinquecento hubs and disc brakes, while the rear is pure Z-Cars witchcraft adapted from their bike-engined Mini conversions.
Cooling such an engine in a body designed for something far less potent required significant thought. Additional vents in the front panel accommodate a larger radiator, while bonnet vents were later added to extract hot air. The standard water pump was binned in favour of a high-rated electronic system, and heat shielding was installed around the fuel tank – presumably to prevent any impromptu barbecue situations.
Aesthetically, the car has been treated to modern projector headlamps, clear indicators, bullet-style wing mirrors and period bonnet straps. The 13-inch gold Minilite-style wheels aren't just for show – they provide necessary clearance for the upgraded brakes and access to modern tyre compounds. Inside, classic-style Sparco buckets replace the original front seats, and inertia-reel seatbelts have been fitted all round – a sensible addition given the newfound performance.
Recent maintenance includes a top-end refresh following signs of impending head gasket failure, installation of a GPS-based digital speedo (the original cable having surrendered to physics), and a new radiator after a crack was discovered during its MOT. Yes, despite being MOT-exempt, the owner has continued to submit it for annual testing – a commendable nod to safety given the extensive modifications.
It’s hard not to feel deep affection for the result. Granted, PH has a soft spot for cars that rival a pandemic-era loft conversion for expense and time spent - but even if you’re minded to regard this 500L as an ungodly amalgamation of parts, it remains a love letter to vision, engineering skill and a complete disregard for financial prudence. Also, we can’t think of a better way to spend less than £20k on a conversation starter. He who dares, Rodders.
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