How similar are they? Reason I ask, I was working on an Abarth 500 essesse last week and noticed a crude anti roll bar through the centre of the rear beam, much like the Vauxhall nova and early corsa's. Had a poke under my 100hp tonight, and it doesn't have any capacity to retrofit an arb, so was wondering if the beams were swappable?

Asa James said:

How similar are they? Reason I ask, I was working on an Abarth 500 essesse last week and noticed a crude anti roll bar through the centre of the rear beam, much like the Vauxhall nova and early corsa's. Had a poke under my 100hp tonight, and it doesn't have any capacity to retrofit an arb, so was wondering if the beams were swappable?

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I seem to recall we had this discussion on the 500 forum when the revised suspension was introduced across the range in 2010. The view at the time is that it would require quite a few components to be swapped; certainly the springs & shocks also, and that it was likely only feasible if you could source a donor car.

I've no idea if it would swap across to the Panda (but I'd have though it at least possibly likely). At least there are a lot more donor cars with salvageable rear ends out there now.

I've got cars with both setups, and whilst there is a difference in ride quality with the stiffer beam, IMO it's not enough to justify the work involved. Even with the revised beam, I'd say the ride is 'acceptable', rather than 'good'.

Just as an update, I've unexpectedly acquired one for very little. Will be looking at any differences before I go any further, and properly inspecting mine to see how far the age related rust has gone

It would be great if they could be compatible, an extra source useful. A 100HP owner recently had the spring mount fail because of rust, mentioned in this forum. My Multijet is one of the first made, so far it has not had any comments from MOT testers. Of course the beam may differ between disc and drum brakes.

That's one of the things to look at, along with beam width and length from mount to stub axle, will let you know soon as