General Found 500 which could do with rescuing.

[Sbf500]

Hi everyone.

A family friend has approached my Dad knowing he used to have a 500 (which I now have). Basically there late husband drove there late RHD 500L into the garage in 1981 and there it has sat since 1981.

It is complete but quite tired with some obvious rot. My dad has also tried turning the engine over but it is seized.

The lady in question is looking to move it on but she has no idea what it is worth so this is where you come in. Basically my dad isn’t sure but doesn’t want her to get ripped off.

Some pics below.

Thanks
Al

 

[fiat500]

If it was me I would put it on eBay with much better images and a very well written description.
I see cars for restoration going for between around £1500 and £2500.
For me, being UK RHD would be a big appeal, but it seems that LHD has a bit of Kudos amongst many potential owners, so that maybe doesn't affect the price much. The RHD-specific components are a rarity in themselves, but it also means that a few items are difficult or more expensive to obtain or overhaul.
I like the fact that the mileage is fairly high for a 500, so this car has had a useful life already.
It would be nice to see it maintained in original specification, but the amount of work needed will probably mean someone justifying an upgraded engine and everything replaceable being replaced.

 

[Sbf500]

If it was me I would put it on eBay with much better images and a very well written description.
I see cars for restoration going for between around £1500 and £2500.
For me, being UK RHD would be a big appeal, but it seems that LHD has a bit of Kudos amongst many potential owners, so that maybe doesn't affect the price much. The RHD-specific components are a rarity in themselves, but it also means that a few items are difficult or more expensive to obtain or overhaul.
I like the fact that the mileage is fairly high for a 500, so this car has had a useful life already.
It would be nice to see it maintained in original specification, but the amount of work needed will probably mean someone justifying an upgraded engine and everything replaceable being replaced.

Thanks Peter

That’s seems reasonable, I’ll pass on the feedback. I did half wonder about acquiring it for the very reason it has so many rare RHD specific bits but I couldn’t cut it up for parts when I’m sure someone out there could do something far more creative with it.

As for the millage, what do people reckon you can usually get out of the standard 110f engine and gear box. My car is now on just over 77k and I have always wondered how long I will get before I need a rebuild? As far as I know it has had the head done and piston rings but nothing in the bottom end.

 

[AndyRKett]

OOOOH I was looking for a project like this, I would be interested to know where in the country it's located and a better Idea of price.

 

[fiat500]

Thanks Peter

That’s seems reasonable, I’ll pass on the feedback. I did half wonder about acquiring it for the very reason it has so many rare RHD specific bits but I couldn’t cut it up for parts when I’m sure someone out there could do something far more creative with it.

As for the millage, what do people reckon you can usually get out of the standard 110f engine and gear box. My car is now on just over 77k and I have always wondered how long I will get before I need a rebuild? As far as I know it has had the head done and piston rings but nothing in the bottom end.

I acquired several Fiat 500s when they were about ten years old and just about avoiding the scrapyard. 35,000 miles seemed to be the lifetime of the floor, sills and front end, but at that mileage the engines never needed work other than a good clean and sorting the leaks. I can't see any reason why a 110 or 126 engine shouldn't go on for 100,00 miles or more as long as it has regular oil changes and is kept in proper adjustment.

If any part lets it down earlier than that I guess it might be the valve-gear; it works particularly hard on the fast revving engine. I see a lot of rebuilds concentrating on the obvious wearable parts, but you rarely hear of people measuring the wear on the rockers and shaft. When I have measured the wear on pistons, barrels and bearings, the tolerances are almost always acceptable or very nearly so. But I had to trawl through lots of my secondhand spares to find a good rocker-shaft.

 

[Sbf500]

OOOOH I was looking for a project like this, I would be interested to know where in the country it's located and a better Idea of price.

It’s in Cornwall, I’ll find out some more details and let you know.

 

[AndyRKett]

It’s in Cornwall, I’ll find out some more details and let you know.

That's a fair distance from me in Norfolk but I'd be interested to find out more.

 

[Toshi 975]

I have lost contact with the guy now but I used to know of a 594cc 126 car that had covered well over 100,000 miles with no major engine work, only followed the regular service schedule which was fully documented.