Hello everyone! I just purchased a '70 500 R (I believe it is an R). I always wanted one of these cars and I finally made the move. It is in need of work which is exactly what I wanted as it will be a nice winter project for me.
It wasn't running well at all when I picked it up. It felt like it was being starved for gas at the higher RPM range so I did the easiest thing first and changed the fuel filter. Not really much improvement. So...then I decided to take apart the carburetor and there it was, a piece of something clogging the jet. I blew it out with carburetor cleaner, cleaned all the other parts of the carb, reassembled and took it out for a test drive. Issue fixed! The car is running like a champ. I'm wondering how long it has been like that and frustrating the previous owner. Maybe that's the reason he sold it!
So I would like to change the oil now and I have a couple of questions:

1 - What weight oil should I use
2 - Is there an oil filter? I don't see one.

I'm sure I will be back in this forum frequently with many questions. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/348110-right-type-oil.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/348589-500-d-oil-change-guide.html

Those links should answer the questions but basically...yes there is a filter and 20/50 seems a good way to go with oil.
Nice car...welcome to the forum.

Great thanks! How many quarts?
Forgot to ask another question. I'm in need of two tires that are dry rotted. 125/12's. Is Mr Fiat the only supplier of these tires? $110 plus cost of tube. Seems like a lot for such a small tire. I can't find them anywhere else.

To refill it's apparently 5 and a quarter US pints.
Here in the UK we pay about £65 or a bit less in Euros if bought from the Continent for Cinturato 125-12 tyres, so your price seems reasonably comparable. You should already have tubes in, which can be re-used as I have been advised. Recently did this myself and found that it's actually very easy to remove and replace your own tyres on those tiny wheels, if you want to save a few more dollars.

Hi Labman.

That's a nice looking car, and from the photos it looks to be an off white, not a really bright white. Is that right? Photos don't always capture the right shade of colour.

Just thinking about colour for mine and an off white, or ivory was the way I was leaning.

Thanks

Tim

timgarman said:

Hi Labman.

That's a nice looking car, and from the photos it looks to be an off white, not a really bright white. Is that right? Photos don't always capture the right shade of colour.

Just thinking about colour for mine and an off white, or ivory was the way I was leaning.

Thanks

Tim

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Hi Tim,

I have the off white with deep red seats and roof, and red carpet. It suits the car very well.

Pete

timgarman said:

Hi Labman.

That's a nice looking car, and from the photos it looks to be an off white, not a really bright white. Is that right? Photos don't always capture the right shade of colour.

Just thinking about colour for mine and an off white, or ivory was the way I was leaning.

Thanks

Tim

Click to expand...

Thanks. It is more of an off-white/Ivory. I was thinking of painting it red but I like this color now. So I'm going to stick with it.

I agree, off white seems to sit with the age of the car very well. Red and black inside for me.

Another question. Does my 1970 500 have a reverse light? Nothing lights when in reverse. If it is a faulty switch, where is it? I won't be able to pass US inspection without one.

I am not aware of any 500's that had reversing lights. I don't think they were introduced until the 126 model that superseded the 500.

I don't know the situ in the US but in the UK they don't test or have any requirements to add parts that are post manufacture to pass any road legal requirements. So if a car was manufactured with no seat belts or reversing lights then it is simply ticked off as N/A. I can't imagine it is any different in the US? Otherwise there would be lots of Classic 500's needing reversing lights, hazard lights, I don't know what you call them but those little lights required by Californian laws on the wings?

In the UK you have to pass an omission test for the nasty particles we are adding to the environment but it is stilled deemed ok for a classic to add dodgy particles so it is not tested for.

So the color seems to be what was called antico avorio or antique ivory. Also you do not need a reverse light indicator in the US as it was never an option for the 500. Again you do not even need seat belts as they were never equiped or an option.

Vitesse said:

I am not aware of any 500's that had reversing lights. I don't think they were introduced until the 126 model that superseded the 500.

I don't know the situ in the US but in the UK they don't test or have any requirements to add parts that are post manufacture to pass any road legal requirements. So if a car was manufactured with no seat belts or reversing lights then it is simply ticked off as N/A. I can't imagine it is any different in the US? Otherwise there would be lots of Classic 500's needing reversing lights, hazard lights, I don't know what you call them but those little lights required by Californian laws on the wings?

In the UK you have to pass an omission test for the nasty particles we are adding to the environment but it is stilled deemed ok for a classic to add dodgy particles so it is not tested for.

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OK. This could be. I didn't think of that. Thanks.

Luxe said:

So the color seems to be what was called antico avorio or antique ivory. Also you do not need a reverse light indicator in the US as it was never an option for the 500. Again you do not even need seat belts as they were never equiped or an option.

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Thanks. Mine actually came with seat belts that were disconnected. Mounting bolts were all there. I cleaned them up and reinstalled them just in case.

Another newbie question. I am fairly sure I have a 500R. How do I know for sure? I know my carb is a Weber 26 IMB.

If it has a synchronmeshed gearbox and bigger 594cc engine from new then it is an R. Plus I think the front badge gives it away as being an R.

Tony

Tony's right with those details but definitive would be the stamped chassis number which on my car is on the right hand side (standing in front of the car), under the bonnet and to the upper left of the fusebox.
According the Italian Fiat 500 club this number would be in the range of 5.096.796 to 5.231.518. for an R.

http://www.500clubitalia.it/informa...meri-di-telaio-modelli/numeri-telaio-fiat-500

fiat500 said:

Tony's right with those details but definitive would be the stamped chassis number which on my car is on the right hand side (standing in front of the car), under the bonnet and to the upper left of the fusebox.
According the Italian Fiat 500 club this number would be in the range of 5.096.796 to 5.231.518. for an R.

http://www.500clubitalia.it/informa...meri-di-telaio-modelli/numeri-telaio-fiat-500

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Great info. I can't find the number though. Lots of wires in the way and looks like some rustproofing or something was sprayed in there. Nothing on the ID tag that would identify it?

Going by your chassis number of 2522486


It looks like you have a 1970 500L
This year/model ran from 2362390 to 2742562


R's started from 5096796


you should have a long plastic speedo rather than the round one

I have a round speedo. That's what attracted me to the car. Looks more "old school".

It will be an F. That number is stamped on the scuttle and on the plate. The number range appears to cover both models in 1970. I guess that's good news?

fiat500 said:

It will be an F. That number is stamped on the scuttle and on the plate. The number range appears to cover both models in 1970. I guess that's good news?

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It's good because I have been ordering parts for an F/L/R. N/D is also a choice. Whew! The front nose is that of an R so that's what was confusing me. Maybe at some point in it's life that nose was changed. Thanks for that info.