500 (Classic) New member from New Zealand. Hi, I have just started a full restoration of a 1964 50
- Thread starter Chrismunn
- Start date
Currently reading:
500 (Classic) New member from New Zealand. Hi, I have just started a full restoration of a 1964 50
the hobbler
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2012
- Messages
- 4,084
- Points
- 1,013
Hi Chris;
Welcome to the Forum, and all the best with your project. There are quite a few rebuild/restoration projects in New Zealand--all guys who seem very happy to help. Just 1 question--how come all you Antipodian rebuilders all seem to have lovely large, spacious workshops?--all my work has had to be done (so far) in a standard UK 17ft x 8ft garage, which is a situation I suspect a lot of the UK owners suffer.
Welcome to the Forum, and all the best with your project. There are quite a few rebuild/restoration projects in New Zealand--all guys who seem very happy to help. Just 1 question--how come all you Antipodian rebuilders all seem to have lovely large, spacious workshops?--all my work has had to be done (so far) in a standard UK 17ft x 8ft garage, which is a situation I suspect a lot of the UK owners suffer.
Hi Chris, good luck but that's not a restoration job, it just needs a polish.
looigi
New member
Hi Chris,
Great to see another 500 on its way back to the street.
When you come to sorting parts, a few of us on here from this part of the globe have discussed putting on a large order with the Euro suppliers and sharing the shipping costs. Interested?
I am in Christchurch, are you anywhere near?
Hobbler - to answer your question..... Garages are the norm here. It is more unusual to have a house without a garage than with one. Section sizes are also generally larger than in Europe allowing people to build sheds and garages easier. Just to add some salt, my garage is 7.5 x 10m.
Chris
Great to see another 500 on its way back to the street.
When you come to sorting parts, a few of us on here from this part of the globe have discussed putting on a large order with the Euro suppliers and sharing the shipping costs. Interested?
I am in Christchurch, are you anywhere near?
Hobbler - to answer your question..... Garages are the norm here. It is more unusual to have a house without a garage than with one. Section sizes are also generally larger than in Europe allowing people to build sheds and garages easier. Just to add some salt, my garage is 7.5 x 10m.
Chris
MarkOz
New member
Looks like a nice car, good luck with the project
timgarman
Established member
Hi Chris
Welcome. Car looks great. I'm in Wanganui, NZ. Are you anywhere near?
Mine's a 1966 F, in bits and taking forever.
Tim
Welcome. Car looks great. I'm in Wanganui, NZ. Are you anywhere near?
Mine's a 1966 F, in bits and taking forever.
Tim
A few images to set the scene
, this is turning out to be very extensive rebuild work that I have outsourced. I will be doing all of the mechanical work, all new parts etc waiting to go back in.
Sent from my iPad using FIAT Forum
, this is turning out to be very extensive rebuild work that I have outsourced. I will be doing all of the mechanical work, all new parts etc waiting to go back in. Sent from my iPad using FIAT Forum
hi Chris,
Looked quite clean in the original photo. Just goes to show you never know what lies beneath. Keep the photos coming as it is always great to see how others are repairing their vehicles. Its also great reference points.
Sean
Looked quite clean in the original photo. Just goes to show you never know what lies beneath. Keep the photos coming as it is always great to see how others are repairing their vehicles. Its also great reference points.
Sean
Welcome to the forum and good luck with restoration.
So did a previous owner decide it was missing a fuel filler flap on the rear wing too??
cheers, Steve
So did a previous owner decide it was missing a fuel filler flap on the rear wing too??
cheers, Steve
How wrong could I have been.Hi Chris, good luck but that's not a restoration job, it just needs a polish.
Some very cunning owners have hidden all that away very well.
I have just fired ahead and imported a couple of big shipments, the splitting and on shipping costs would probably make this more trouble than it is worth. Once you have a customs import number it is easy to bring the bits in, and you can save a fair bit of money too. I recommend doing it yourself, it isn't hard.
Sent from my iPad using FIAT Forum
kanewilsonjr
Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2014
- Messages
- 469
- Points
- 88
Welcome to Fiat Forums & Happy modifying your Ride !
Chris, what are the 500D panels like to fit?
I have had experience of F/L and they are not bad, but I will be looking to start my D next year and will be probably fitting 1/4 panels, doors, & wings.
I have been told they are a good fit.
Cheers
Sean
I have had experience of F/L and they are not bad, but I will be looking to start my D next year and will be probably fitting 1/4 panels, doors, & wings.
I have been told they are a good fit.
Cheers
Sean
The fit was not good Sean, the doors in particular were a real problem. The inner guards also required extensive shaping. While it turned out to be fairly expensive the end result though is very good. The tolerances on panel gaps is now is very good, possibly better than when it left the factory n 1964!
Sent from my iPad using FIAT Forum
They look better than the later models.
The inner arches were a nightmare. mine needed reshaping and I ended up splitting them at the joint and rewelding them as they were that bad a fit.
Appreciate any further photos of the D panels and the problems experienced.
The inner arches were a nightmare. mine needed reshaping and I ended up splitting them at the joint and rewelding them as they were that bad a fit.
Appreciate any further photos of the D panels and the problems experienced.
Body is now almost complete and ready for painting, color will be Fiat 115 as per original color in May 1964.
Gear box removed and upgraded half shafts were fitted last weekend, and is now ready to go back in. All of the suspension and steering rubbers have been replaced as well .
Gear box removed and upgraded half shafts were fitted last weekend, and is now ready to go back in. All of the suspension and steering rubbers have been replaced as well .
Chris, where did you get the doors from? Unusual to see suicide doors in black?
Looking good. Are you doing it or have you a panelbeater at your disposal?
Looking good. Are you doing it or have you a panelbeater at your disposal?
