Hi all,

I've always wanted a Fiat 500, and have photos of me 20 years ago as a teenager with ones I'd see in the street. Now could be the time, but I don't know where to start!

Australia doesn't seem to have a lot of the little old things, it's a small and expensive market. Does anyone know a good place to find one here? (beyond ebay, gumtree, carsales websites)

Is it worth trying to import one from Italy?

Any thoughts much appreciated! I don't mind doing a little work, but I don't have the skills for a complete restoration.

Thanks, and hope to talk more Fiats as time goes on

Try talking to people from the fiat club NSW and Italian made social motoring club

Sometimes people advertise within the clubs before advertising elsewhere.

Oh great thanks I'll try sending an email through to the right people and seeing what comes up.

Is there a Canberra club that might have something on offer too? Had some classic cars before and had to buy outside of Sydney to find them.

We do have a Fiat club in ACT but no cars for sale at the moment.

I'm based in sydney and have been a member of NSW club for over a year. they have a great social calendar (though i'm never available to attend any events) and a regular, very well put together email newsletter. if you need a contact at the club, let me know.

As for places to purchase, CarSales always has a few, but yes, the market is strong here for 500's and the prices are high when a direct comparison to EUR or GBP is done, however i did consider cars from abroad, but when you take into account all of the importation costs, and the inability for you to easily inspect the chosen car (compared to seeing and test driving here) I ended up buying locally (from VIC).

There are good cars around, and having bought privately myself, i would suggest trying to buy from a club member, as the car/owner will have a reputation in the community, and will be a known quantity when you get it. Mine appeared ok on the initial test drive, and then when i got it back to sydney on my first test drive at home (to start on my "to do" list) it dropped a piston, holed the block, and caught fire.

i've been buying parts for a full strip-down/resto-mod from all over the world for this past year, so can give you advice on who are easy to buy from given we are on the other side of the world, it's not always a simple case of "click and buy" in the online world.

send me a message if you'd like any advice, happy to have a phone call too.

Renato

Hi renato, thanks for the reply and details.

I'll ask around the clubs and see what I can find. Oddly enough the carsales listings seem to take a long time to sell, and I wonder if the ~$20k price tag most have is too much. I bid on one on ebay a while back and it didn't top $8k, but unfortunately had a reserve price so it wasn't to be mine.

If it's ok, if I get closer to buying it would be great to get your thoughts, thank you!

How about import from New Zealand.

Not as far so must be less cost and they were assembled here so there seem to be a few around. Particularly ones that need some work (I guess that covers most) if you're looking for a project.

Mine cost $3000 NZD before restoration.

Tim

I do a lot of international shipping of vehicles, and the Trans Tasman a lot, and it's more than you think to "cross the ditch" with a car (albeit a very small one!).

That said, the NZ market does have a lot of Bambina over there, and the dollar is favorable!

I've got some good broker contacts if you need a hand sorting logistics and costs for NZ-AUS transport

Thanks for the tip Tim!

NZ looks to have lots more around, minus the language barrier.
And a few projects, hopefully ones that aren't beyond me. Are there any suggestions on places to look other than TradeMe?


I'll PM you Enzo regarding shipping suggestions if that's ok? Thanks guys!

$20k, tell him he's dreaming (apologies for the Australian cultural reference). Well, unless it is is a very good restoration. I would have thought you could get a daily runner for a half that, but i could be wrong.

Sadly I've been watching the Aus market a while and anything under $16k needs work and is half a project. A nice runner is $20k, some are even up for 30!
NZ has quite a few around the 20 mark too.

I'll keep my ear to the ground. I do know people with 500s that are not being used or restored. Not sure of the condition though.

The good thing is that they are mostly RHD and there is a reasonably good supply of RHD parts if you want original.

Thanks for that, any thoughts and word of mouth sales much appreciated! This one on trademe is similar to what I was after
https://preview.trademe.co.nz/motors/trade-me-motors/cars/1236817290

It looks like it could be tidied up quite nicely with new chrome, assuming the rust is superficial. A bit pricey but the colour and suicide doors are just what I was after.

This one currently on TradeMe, reserve met.

https://preview.trademe.co.nz/motors/trade-me-motors/cars/1233937153[/URL]

Not a D though.

timgarman said:

This one currently on TradeMe, reserve met.

https://preview.trademe.co.nz/motors/trade-me-motors/cars/1233937153

Not a D though.

Click to expand...

Bargain at the moment!
Not an expert but looks like some of the engine is missing?

Not an expert but looks like some of the engine is missing?

Click to expand...

I'm no expert either, but I've learnt heaps from almost completing my restoration with loads of help from forum members.

Looks like the air filter cover and hose to the carb is missing. Also, the two large grommets (or bungs) at the top left and right of the engine bay picture. There may be other things but these seem minor. It's what you get with a car of that age, unless you buy a restored one.

But the fun is in the restoration. :bang:

Yep if it was in Aus I'd jump at it for sure! Gee that's cheap, you'd get a bucket of parts for that price here. Early days in the auction I guess.

Not sure how easy it is to get a non-runner on a ship and over this way though, once tried getting one that ran (but reverse only) and they wouldn't do it

I would expect it to at least double by the end of the auction, maybe triple.

Well thanks to the incredibly helpful Chris aka Looigi, who went even more than above and beyond to inspect on my behalf, I'm close to picking up my first fiat 500.

The issue is now getting it to Sydney. Taurus Logistics have been helpful and provided what seems to be a decent quote, about $2500, but I thought I'd ask if anyone else had any experience with shipping across the Tasman and prices.

Hope to be posting soon with some pics

Yep, Talk to Steve Tomlinson at Koru Customs here in Christchurch.

http://www.korucustoms.co.nz/contact-us

Tell him Chris the Yak man sent you.

Chris