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500 (Classic) Project Bambino

Introduction

I bought my 1969 500F some time ago and always promised it a rebuild as it was in 'original' condition. I stripped it completely and delivered the body to a mate who specializes in restoration. Over the last couple of months the body was shot blasted, all of the rust removed (and the bits of baked bean tin covering the rust ...) and new panels & sills welded on where required. It is approaching the point where it will be primed and painted bright red. I'll collect photos over the next week or so and post them.

Mechanically the car wasn't too bad. The PO had rebuilt the engine so all I did was remove, clean, rustproof and repaint the cowling and clean the engine and gearbox/diff. I rebuilt the generator - new bearings and brushes and did a similar job on the starter.

The interior was fairly sad so the upholstery has all been replaced using high quality automotive black vinyl with red piping. Very chic.

I'll rebuild the suspension and brakes when I get the car back from the body shop. I'm hoping to lower it a little and fit front disc brakes.

I've attached a photo of the bits lying in our spare room - my wife is very tolerant.

Chris
It's Sunday night and I've finished working on the car for the weekend.

I started Friday night by attempting to remove the steering arms (tie rods), steering box and idler for servicing. After much hammering, swearing and more hammering I had only managed to free each tie rod end where they connect to the hubs. I think that these are original and had become 'welded' on ...

Saturday saw me remove the steering box and idler as a unit and then press out the old tie rod ends without bending or destroying anything valuable. Both the box and idler were filthy. The box was still full of fairly rancid looking oil and luckily nothing within was worn. I replaced the seals, filled the box with a mixture of bearing grease and EP90 oil and put it aside while I cleaned, primed and painted the area under the front valance where they live. The idler needs new 'silent rubbers' and I've ordered a pair. In the mean time I've replaced everything loosely and fitted new tie rods.

Today I fitted the cables, tunnel grommets and the instrument binnacle. Thanks to Joe for his photo - it was a big help. The brake master cylinder was the last thing I did.

I'm away next weekend, so I won't be doing much for a couple of weeks - unless, of course, I get into it in the evenings :D

I've attached the usual set of photos.

Regards,
Chris
 

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About time, I have been hanging out to see your progress. Looking good.

Now a question without notice (just like Parliament). How did you manage the stripping work inside and under the car? Did your panelbeater do it, did you send the car to a stripper (for want of a better word) before the panelbater got it or was there a third option?

Keep up the great work, it will be a head turner in no time!

Regards,

Joe R
 
About time, I have been hanging out to see your progress.

Joe,

Cripes - hanging out. Sh*t mate, you need to get out more :)

I initially stripped the car to a rolling shell that I delivered on a flatbed truck to my mate, the panelbeater. After he removed the front apron, he then had it delivered to a shotblasting business where the interior and exterior were blasted clean of dirt, grease, grime and paint. At that stage I'd covered the steering box and idler so as not to get them full of glass beads. That bit I did myself with a scraper and wire brush yesterday.

Having it shotblasted was the easiest, quickest and most convenient way of preparing the body shell. After blasting, the rusty bits were very obvious as were the amateur repairs with pop riveted tin cans.

Thereafter began the long saga of rust removal, forming and welding of new parts and panels, priming and finally painting and polishing. So far, touch wood, I've not yet scratched the paintwork.

Hope this answers your question. I guess I cheated here, as I didn't prepare the shell with paint remover and a brush like you did. I've never learned the black art of body preparation and panel beating, so it was just easier to pay to have someone else do it.

In a separate post, I've uploaded some photos of the fixed fuel line that you queried in your response to my cabling question. If I can figure out how to thank you on the forum for that photo, I'll do so.

Chris
 
I've been at work this weekend so haven't had any time to do much with the car.

Friday night I finished hooking up the wiring loom and tested everything. A couple of dud earths were sorted out and voilà, the dreaded Italian electrics sparked into life. I replaced all of the bulbs and even managed to track down a couple of the original style headlight bulbs. The rear lights were rusty and the plastic partially melted so these have been replaced with new ones. Unfortunately, the new ones are of equally dubious quality :(

I've appended a few photos.

Chris
 

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Now I saw this post yesterday, but for fear of getting another:
'Cripes - hanging out. Sh*t mate, you need to get out more' from you I decided to wait till one of the other members of the forum responded first.

I now see that you have no other friends interested in what you are doing so to make you feel wanted I thought I would chip in again just this once.

Looking good, no scratches, what a legend.

My project on the other hand is just grinding away slowly, one big hurdle looming, I will be asking for advice from you fairly soon so do not even think of finishing your car and dissapearing.

Regards

Joe R
 
Now I saw this post yesterday, but for fear of getting another:
'Cripes - hanging out. Sh*t mate, you need to get out more' from you I decided to wait till one of the other members of the forum responded first.

Joe,

Sorry about that, it's just that the term 'hanging out' has an air of quiet desperation about it and I really didn't think that these little cars assumed such proportions in peoples lives to deserve its use. More than anything else it was meant as a dig at myself, after all, I'm the one missing meals whilst out in the shed .....

And as to having no friends, I'm used to that. And yes, I seem to have successfully scared everyone else off this part of the forum :eek:

Finally, if you wish, I'll gladly attempt answers to your questions, but please don't treat them as gospel.

Post some more photos of your wee beastie when you get a chance.

Chris
 
It's Sunday night here and I guess it's time to let you know what I've done this weekend.

Saturday was a slow day on the car as I had a heap of other things to do around the house. I spent the afternoon preparing to swap over the brakes by loosening and removing the hydraulic lines. I rounded one 10mm connector getting it off so I'll have to get that end repaired. Otherwise the car is now ready to have the brakes upgraded. I'll get new tyres on the 126 rims so I can swap the wheels at the same time.

Saturday evening I finished the front compartment.

Today I put in the seats and most of the glass. I've still got to do the drivers door (I'm waiting on a couple of bits) and the rear screen. I left the rear screen out as I want to cover the parcel shelf and it's easier to measure up, cut and install if the window is out. I covered the seals and window surrounds with a black mastic window sealant - very messy, but a very good sealant - before installing the glass.

Last job was to put a Scuderia Ferrari decal on the passenger rear window. My wife reckons that it might help it go faster if it thinks it will be a Ferrari when it grows up ....

'till next weekend,
Chris
 

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Crris,

bit quiet here, I saw your post on Sunday night but though I would let someone else jump in first.

Went right past your place on Fri and then again on Mon (well nearly, I was on the Bruce going to Bundy!), I swear I could smell fresh red paint as I went by.

As always the car is looking good.

I have sent you a PM, would you have a look and let me know what you think by PM or email please?
 
Looking really nice Chris.

Love the green petrol tank.......! (y)

Thanks - I wanted the Italian colours on the car somewhere, but I didn't want an ostentatious paint job. The obvious places were in the front compartment and engine bay. The green looks even nicer in the tin.

I'm sort of not looking forward to finishing this car as I'm really enjoying the project. They are nice little cars - simple but also sophisticated.

Chris
 
Crris,

bit quiet here, I saw your post on Sunday night but though I would let someone else jump in first.

Went right past your place on Fri and then again on Mon (well nearly, I was on the Bruce going to Bundy!), I swear I could smell fresh red paint as I went by.

As always the car is looking good.

I have sent you a PM, would you have a look and let me know what you think by PM or email please?

Joe,

Thanks - I'm trying to do a good job and generally having a good time as I go. I never cease to be surprised by the number of people who say that either they owned one, wished they'd owned one or knew someone who did own one - and everyone always has a big grin on their face.

I've responded to your message by PM.

Chris
 
Sunday night again .....

Some time ago I bought a Fiat 126 (Niki 650) as a donor car for my 500F. I intend to rebuild the engine and drive train as a replacement for the 500cc 18HP mill in the Bambino.

The Niki is full of rust but runs very well. Whilst it isn't as cute as the Bambino - my wife calls it the pig - it probably would have been OK in its time. When I got it, I took it for a slow drive around the block - the engine and gearbox are fine (~70000km on the odo) but the brakes are stuffed. I guess it's been sitting for a while. I changed the brake fluid before I drove it and got dark rusty fluid out - probably hadn't been changed in years. At least the hand brake worked :)

I spent most of the weekend stripping bits off it, so if anyone out there wants parts let me know. All the glass and many of the panels are OK.

I've attached a couple of photos.

Chris
 

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Chris,

surely 18hp is enough for any car? (They are Italian horses after all!)

Will the front seatbelts fit the 500? (Just a thought)

Regards

Joe R
 
Last edited:
Chris,

surely 18hp is enough for any car? (They are Italian horses after all!)

If 18 are enough, then 40 should be great ...

I spent Saturday morning stripping the rear brakes and replacing them with rebuilt 126 drum brakes. These drums take the more modern wheel stud pattern and they are supposed to be better brakes, or so I'm told. The drums are bigger and the pads are more securely held on the back plate.

Today I removed the engine/drive train from the 126 and unscrewed the tinware. Rebuilding this lot will be a future project when I have the time and money ....

Next weekend I intend to replace the front drums with the disc brakes that I bought and if I have time, put the original engine and drive train back in the car. Hopefully, I may even go for a drive :)

Chris

PS: Yes, Joe - the seat belts fit.
 

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I'm still waiting for parts so I can install the engine/drive train. Hopefully they'll arrive this week and I can get the car out for a drive next weekend.

In the meantime I've been tinkering with the 650 motor. It ran well prior to removal and didn't seem to blow any smoke or rattle in any disturbing manner. I took off the centrifugal 'oil filter' cover today and discovered a thick layer of gunk adherent to the inner wall - probably 20 years worth of build up. The O-ring seal was hard and flat - also likely to be original. I've attached a couple of photos.

Between this and the brake fluid, I think that this little car had had little maintenance during its life. I know they were cheap, but that is no excuse for abuse :mad:. Lucky they were tough.

At the other end, the clutch plate still has plenty of meat on it and the flywheel surface is unmarked.

Hopefully I've got the platform for an interesting engine rebuild.

Chris
 

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