Click here to return to the home page.
Image of a road.
Who's Online Now
8 members (mph, MartinB60, Morganmike, DMC1904, DJC, Graham, G4FUJ, John V6, nick w), 293 guests, and 43 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
+8Rich 64
Adam12 62
John V6 59
Newest Members
Chris Ontario, NickMog, YellowM, Dufty, Anted4
9,215 Registered Users
Newest Topics
For saleWood rim moto-lita
by hugo - 30/07/25 04:28 PM
For Sale 2015 M3W - £23,000
by MOG42 - 29/07/25 06:28 PM
AC Cobra Rep. Vs Plus 8
by Richardllll - 29/07/25 04:40 PM
Me Again
by Whizjet - 29/07/25 03:13 PM
Tyre dates on Yokohama tyres
by SteveMerch - 29/07/25 12:39 PM
Aero 8 Maintenance
by mph - 29/07/25 09:24 AM
Pur Sang Type 35
by BillHart - 28/07/25 06:49 PM
Latest Photos
Moto-lita for sale
Moto-lita for sale
by hugo, July 30
2015 M3W for sale
2015 M3W for sale
by MOG42, July 29
Motorworld München
Motorworld München
by Oskar, July 20
visit to Classic Remise Düsseldorf
my book
my book
by Oskar, July 20
Forum Statistics
Forums34
Topics48,364
Posts813,337
Members9,215
Most Online1,046
Aug 24th, 2023
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4
#524038 24/07/18 02:43 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 110
M
L - Learner Plates On
OP Offline
L - Learner Plates On
M
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 110
I was looking for something a bit different to replace my Alfa GTV, and ended up with this...



A Fiat 500. Air-cooled, two cylinder, RWD silliness from the early '70s. It lived in Rome until recently, I bought it from a chap in London and had it transported home.

It has had some work done, although there's little paperwork with it; synchromesh gearbox and no choke, lowered and slightly rolled arches, disc brakes, different sump and an exhaust, etc. It's not had a 126 engine conversion but it's way quicker than I anticipated, I had it off the clock (130kph) fairly easily (!)

It's a hoot to drive. Very flat in corners, narrow power band, slightly baggy steering and decent brakes. The paint is very good and there's hardly any rust, I thought it was a standard (albeit rare) colour called Agip 247 but it seems not.

No tax, no MOT (although it it MOT'd), classic insurance and fits in the garage with acres to spare. I love it!

I know bugger all about these, though. Do any of you chaps have any experience with them? I could do with finding a decent specialist locally (leics) just in case, although I've done a couple of little jobs and it's a doddle to work on.

Your comments, experiences and expressions of incredulity are all welcome smile

Last edited by MotorPunk; 24/07/18 02:44 PM.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 35,790
Likes: 471
Tricky Dicky
Member of the Inner Circle
Offline
Tricky Dicky
Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 35,790
Likes: 471
That is a great looking car and I'll bet it's a hoot to drive, good choice it seems to have had some very sensible improvements done to it.


2009 4/4 Henrietta
1999 Indigo Blue +8
2009 4/4 Sport Green prev
1993 Connaught Green +8 prev





Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 15
Charter Member
Offline
Charter Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 15
I have always loved small Fiats and the more crowded our roads get, the more sense they make. You should have two levers between the front seats, one is the choke the other the starter.
On some others ( the 600 and 850 ) the starter is changed to a hand throttle. Very handy with a sun roof as you can set the hand throttle and stand on the seat driving it like a submarine but only on empty private roads of course!!!!
I wish you well with your purchase, they are rising in price by the day.


Here for a good time not a long time!!
Reg
+8Rich #524048 24/07/18 03:48 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 110
M
L - Learner Plates On
OP Offline
L - Learner Plates On
M
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 110
Originally Posted By +8Rich
That is a great looking car and I'll bet it's a hoot to drive, good choice it seems to have had some very sensible improvements done to it.


Thank you. Yes, it's nicely done, it hasn't been 'Abarthed' which is nice. It had horrible tinted indicators and an aftermarket wing mirror which I have already returned to standard. The seats are from a Fiat 126 so I'm on the lookout for some classic little buckets or original seats, the steering wheel is some dreadful modern sporty thing that looks like it was made from melted-down sex toys, so a replacement has been found for that (wood rimmed Nardi classic). There was also an ugly centre console and speakers which I binned. I got it for a good price as I suspect the modern trim bits put buyers off, they were easily sorted and the mechanical modifications are 'in keeping' with the period and make it lovely to drive.

Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 110
M
L - Learner Plates On
OP Offline
L - Learner Plates On
M
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 110
Originally Posted By lowebird
I have always loved small Fiats and the more crowded our roads get, the more sense they make. You should have two levers between the front seats, one is the choke the other the starter.
On some others ( the 600 and 850 ) the starter is changed to a hand throttle. Very handy with a sun roof as you can set the hand throttle and stand on the seat driving it like a submarine but only on empty private roads of course!!!!
I wish you well with your purchase, they are rising in price by the day.


Thanks. Yes, two levers, one starts it but the other (choke) is totally disconnected). It starts instantly so must have a more modern ignition system (but it is on a Weber carb). I found the hand throttle but hadn't considered sitting on the roof and driving with my feet - that's a bloody brilliant stunt and will be attempted the next time I am bored (quite soon, probably)...

smile

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 15
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Offline
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 15
They are even good for holidays too. Snapped this a few years ago in Croatia. Looks like a lot of fun smile


Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,760
Likes: 424
Member of the Inner Circle
Online Content
Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,760
Likes: 424
My cousin and her hubby had one in the early sixties. They also had a Pyrenean mountain dog who was happy to fill the rear seat & put his head out of the sun roof.


JohnV6
2022 CX Plus Four
2025 MG ZS EV aka Trigger
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,666
Likes: 43
N
Talk Morgan Addict
Online Content
Talk Morgan Addict
N
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,666
Likes: 43
Looks great. Love the wheels.
Nick

Last edited by nick w; 24/07/18 05:42 PM.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 11,868
Likes: 138
Scruffy Oik
Member of the Inner Circle
Offline
Scruffy Oik
Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 11,868
Likes: 138
I absolutely love it! Nice one Rich.


Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 514
Likes: 1
Talk Morgan Regular
Offline
Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 514
Likes: 1
Had one when I worked in Manchester and wanted something economical to use on the 3 mile drive to the station.

It was great fun and for some reason I particularly remember how good it was in the snow!


Malcolm T
1966 +4
1957 TR3
1963 TR4
1983 LR 110
1985 Robin Hood 2.0l
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4

Moderated by  TalkMorgan 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5