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500 'Knuckles' the Fiat 500 1.4 Sport

Introduction

Finaly, after much waiting I went to pick up the new car today. Took over 1 hour to finally pay the vendor as the chip & pin machine was glitching!

Anyways, here goes! Its a 1.4 Sport in Pasdo Doble red. Originally on a 58 plate with only 22,000 miles! Paintwork is in really good conidition for a red car with very little swirling. Interior is a bit of a different story, there are a few marks here and then, I don't think the garage have cleaned inside properly, just ran a vacuum in the footwells. I'll probably spend a day cleaning the car 'properly' very soon! :yum:

Really impressed with the car so far, just as enjoyable as it was on test drive. Great on country roads and dual carriageways.I'm glad to be back behind the wheel of a Fiat. :)

Standard Features:
- Alloy Wheels
- Tinted rear windows
- Rear spoiler
- Front fog lights
- Sport button!
- Black/grey half leather interior
- Black plastics & steering wheel
- Red Dashboard insert
- Leather steering wheel with volume controls

Extras:
- White side stripes
- Colour coded side bump strips with Black Fiat 500 badges
- Rear parking sensors
- Alpine Stereo (from my last car) with fascia adaptor and steering wheel interface
- Abarth velour carpet mats and tax disc holder

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The wheel does make all the difference doesn't it, I have yet to drive a car with a better wheel.

Next time you're in London I'll chuck you the keys to the Elise for a quick spin. :D
 
I have driven a 2011 elise and an early one and I think the abarth wheel is nicer.

I did take some photos in the studio and messed the 340r below..again nice but the abarth steering wheel feels nicer.

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I have driven a 2011 elise and an early one and I think the abarth wheel is nicer.

I did take some photos in the studio and messed the 340r below..again nice but the abarth steering wheel feels nicer.

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Gr8 4 expensive battery changes.


I'll give you a clue, the whole body has to come off to change the battery........
 
I think it needs to come off for front light bulbs also.
 
Just don't drive it at night is the best option.
 
Update: Spring re-awakening

I haven't used the 500 much over the winter, due to salt on the roads, snow, etc. It did come out the lockup a few times to stop anything from seizing up and to keep the battery in relatively good charge.

Finally it came out of the lockup for another coat of wax. Temperature starting to increase again so it seemed like a perfect day for it. The car was foamed, rinsed and waxed. I also applied alloy wheel sealant to the rims, Autosol to the exhaust (or whats left of it) along with various other things...

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I also found an Abarth speedo surround (or cowl) on eBay for a fairly reasonable price. Was actually quite an easy fit with minimal hacking. The cowl extends longer at the back. There is an extra tab at the back that clips into the Abarth 500 dashboard.

Obviously my Sport doesn't have anywhere for this extra tab to clip in, so I just hacked it off with a Stanley blade. The Abarth cowl fits securely with the 3 toque bolts the original used; there is no movement. I put some anti slip material between the dash and the cowl to stop any potential rattles. :)

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I also ordered and collected this package from D. Salmon's. It even came with some vague instructions. Shocker eh!

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Won't be fitting it now, yikes, won't even attempt it myself. It will get down some point in the summer months! I am however in two minds about the (5) decal for the bonnet... hmmm! :shrug:
 
Why not drive it in the winter? It's a 500, not some rare classic that will rust to death if it touches a piece of grit.
 
Why not drive it in the winter? It's a 500, not some rare classic that will rust to death if it touches a piece of grit.

I dunno really. To a certain extent I have no reason to. I don't need a car to get to work, Colchester isn't the greatest place to use a car, mainly as you're stationary in traffic most of the time!

When I go visit friends in London or other places I go by train. The car is just a psychological escape for me, rather than an A to B. If I was after an A to B I'd probably my more of a 'white good' car.

Now where's my straightjacket... Ahhhh
 
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