FIAT 500L why oh why
- Thread starter mjheathcote
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Elliott653
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Me and my OH had a good look around one of those Ls a few months ago. Yes, it's ugly. But, when you're sitting in one, you can't see that. Inside, it's light and airy. With loads of room. My Mrs took a test drive and really liked it. And, in a weird way, so did I. When it's time to chop in her SEAT, I'd be happy to have one of those on the drive to go next to my 500 Twin Air.
And THIS.....
.......which I bought in Bristol on Saturday.
I've bought it to restore and give to my Mrs as a surprise "mumble-mumble" birthday present. Classic Fiat 500s are her absolute favourite cars. Whenever she sees one, she swoons. It's got a 650 Fiat 126 engine, is completely rust free - it grew up in Hungary. It's absolutely complete, everything works perfectly. I'm going to strip it down, convert it to RHD, put in electronic ignition and a proper heater, paint it that old Fiat cream colour with a subtle red stripe down each side to key in with the upholstery.
She's an amazing woman. Not least for putting up with my foolishness. And she more than deserves this. We will be having a big celebration when the time comes. I'm going to secrete the car in the grounds of the "glamping" place where we'll all be gathered and just give her a little box with the key in and invite her to find the car.
But, remember, it's a secret. So, don't tell anyone!!!!
And THIS.....
.......which I bought in Bristol on Saturday.
I've bought it to restore and give to my Mrs as a surprise "mumble-mumble" birthday present. Classic Fiat 500s are her absolute favourite cars. Whenever she sees one, she swoons. It's got a 650 Fiat 126 engine, is completely rust free - it grew up in Hungary. It's absolutely complete, everything works perfectly. I'm going to strip it down, convert it to RHD, put in electronic ignition and a proper heater, paint it that old Fiat cream colour with a subtle red stripe down each side to key in with the upholstery.
She's an amazing woman. Not least for putting up with my foolishness. And she more than deserves this. We will be having a big celebration when the time comes. I'm going to secrete the car in the grounds of the "glamping" place where we'll all be gathered and just give her a little box with the key in and invite her to find the car.
But, remember, it's a secret. So, don't tell anyone!!!!
Elliott653
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The guy in the photo is Keith Waite. He's an Alfa specialist and all around good guy. He spannered my Hawk Stratos which had an Alfa V6. He owns a dozen alfas and races at least two of them. The slicks just happened to be on his trailer when we headed down to Bristol to buy the car.
dunnah01
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I think there's more chance of getting the 500 into a Rover 3500 - the carbs are a spare set for the Midget that I was busy making not work properly.
I'd forgotten how many little jobs I got done that day over Christmas when I took that picture.
Cleaned up a sticky Midget brake caliper, fitted four winter tyres to the Freelander daily hack, changed the jets on the Midget carbs and even tidied up the garage afterwards (not mine unfortunately).
Elliott653
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I wish mine was as good looking as that
That looks like the exact colour my wife's car will be painted (Avorio chiaro?). As you know, because there's so much exposed metalwork, the whole car needs to be dismantled before a respray. I've got the car concealed in my father's garage. I wish I had as much space to move in as you have.
Elliott653
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Obviously, it's ugly as sin, Dem. But, I sat in the back as my Mrs took a test drive. I had loads of room - I'm six foot tall, I was comfortable & the ride was more than adequate. For what we'd use the car for, it would fit the bill to a T.
dunnah01
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HS4's so 1 1/2" I think but standard fitment on my later 1500 Triumph lump - that's how it reached the dizzy speeds of 100mph in the day. I've binned off all the American rubber bumper crud to halve the weight and given it a fibreglass front end so it will now go 101mph..
it is seen as 'cool' though, she wouldnt be seen dead in a picasso or scenic, hence she has the 500L