Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Classic Fiat 500

We moved to Malaysia in 1966 as dad was flying and training the RMAF.

Mum learnt to drive on the RAF base in a FIAT but I think it was the 600 not the 500. The lack of syncro on the gearbox box and rod brakes made it a few times worse than just basic learning and so it had to go after she lightly rear-ended a station jeep. It was replaced by an Austin of some sort. It was always fun being the back when Mum was taking lessons from Dad. Given he was teaching RMAF guys to fly early helicopters at the time he just about managed to keep it together with Mum when teaching her to drive but you could hear the tone changes alongside the gear changes.

I always admired the base commanders Humber Super Snipe. The smell inside that thing on the way to school was remarkable. Mind you the leather was not built for the heat and heavy mid-day rain of Malay and so it rapidly started to go ripe and gain more of a moss than a patina. I guess it leaked like our other favourite cars.

Alistair, I pretty certain ( having owned an 850 ) that neither the 500 nor the 600 had rod brakes and although 2nd gear syncro was quite weak, again my memory tells me there was syncro on 1st.

In my defence I was three and have the memory of a gold fish crossed with a hummingbird. She managed to crash a forward and what was left of reverse and Dad always mumbled something about not a problem as it did not have synco. Perhaps he meant it did not have any syncro (left)

I know what you mean about memory Alistair, I have been known to get lost up my own drive!!