Thought you might like to see some pictures of my Giardiniera restoration over the last few years now it is ready to roll off for some paint... enjoy!

Well someone has been busy.
I like the set up, certainly makes it easier to do the underside!
That looks like a lengthy project. Did you need to change many panels?

Hi Sean,
Yes- had the replace the whole lower bulkhead due to previous accident damage (wheelbase 40mm shorter on left!) as well as floors and sills.
I used a 126 bulkhead so it now has a steering rack and will have dual-circuit braking system as well as upgrade to 500F swing arms and axles with a 650 conversion and 5 Speed gearbox (this will be a daily driver)
The wagon floor I purchased was such poor quality that I ended up buying sedan ones, unpicking and lengthening them.
I also had to make new 'C' pillars and door bottoms, otherwise only the bonnet was replaced- I was fortunate enough to find a NOS genuine Fiat one which fits perfectly.

Like the work you have done. It's amazing how these little 500's seam to rust more inside the panels than outside.
I see you have had to be a little inventive with your panel work. I think i may have a few issues with my D when i get round to it as that also appears to have had a few shunts in its lifetime. Nothing that cant be fixed though.
I bet you cant wait to get it painted after all that time repairing it?

Keep up the good work.

You have no idea how good it feels to come home and see an empty workshop...!

Now the fun begins and I can start building the mechanicals, I probably don't need to hurry as we all know how long anything 'restoration' takes when it crosses the space-time continuum into a 'panel shop'

Well done Dude!

I am aspiring to the day when one of my Giardiniera's is in anywhere near the same condition!

Cheers
Chris

Damon500 said:

You have no idea how good it feels to come home and see an empty workshop...!

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That's your HOME workshop? Wow I am am jealous!

Awesome work.

Cheers
Roger

RogerNZ said:

That's your HOME workshop? Wow I am am jealous!

Awesome work.

Cheers
Roger

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Thanks guys- project was delayed a few years while moving house and building the workshop but worth it in the end!
The workshop is an American barn style which gives enough height for the hoist and was designed to be clear floor with steel frame and no internal posts.
It took about two years to design and build but i'm happy with the end result- just finding enough time to get out there is the challenge!
Here are some pics (including the apprentice)

Re: Giardiniera restoration downunder

Had a great find today- a brand new-old stock Giardiniera Crankcase for my restoration.
I'm starting on the mechanicals while the body is away- had 4 engines to choose from, 2 cases were cracked, 1 had worn cam bearings and another had them replaced but wrong dimensions.
I was amazed to find a brand new one sitting on a shelf in Melbourne patiently waiting 50 years for me to need it!

Making progress in the paint shop much quicker than I expected... really have to get cracking on the mechanicals now!

love the colour very tastey owen nw

Thanks- it is actually a new Fiat 500 colour called Azure Blue (which Fiat adds to confusion by also calling it Sky Blue, Volare Blue or Winning Blue) but it is pretty close to the original turquoise blue and certainly should make matching easier in future!

very cool. the picture on the roll back is adorable.

Time for a small progress report... approximately 1/3 of the way through reassembly now...