I've just gone through the process of first registration with my 1962 500D. The first application was returned as, due to hearing stories of "lost" Italian documents, I had sent photocopies of documents. Following comments from Forum members, but still very aware of all I'd heard, I phoned DVLA and explained what documents I had and was told that I needed proof of date of manufacture. Bearing in mind both expense and the fact that time is going on, I explained to the clerk at DVLA that I had a certificate from Italy, from the ASI, proving that date. She asked if I had had the certificate authenticated and translated to which I replied that it was franked and I'd translated it through Google which she accepted. When making my second application I wrote a covering letter, which included the translation, and enclosed all the papers.

My V5 arrived yesterday BUT I must have had a premonition of future trouble as, when today's post arrived I eagerly opened my return SAE expecting to find all my papers safely returned and, instead, I found papers that someone is waiting for to get number plates for his Harley Davidson motorbike! I have all this person's docs including his picture licence, statement of his bank account, his MOT, everything and now hope that whoever has my papers does the right thing and sends them back as I have (fortunately I sent an electric bill instead of a bank statement as ID). Boy, am I glad I didn't send that Italian logbook!:bang:

Following on from this saga, I rang around for number plates today. I really want to use the original number plate surrounds that came with the car and have found a company who are willing to cut down standard sizes to fit for me and, due to the age of the car, they said they are able to use the 1 3/4" digits will should look great. Anyone wanting similar try: numberplates-4-u.co.uk

Ian

Glad you got it sorted and, managed to keep your registration book.

Slow going here, as my V5 only arrived yesterday, but I shouldn't complain as at least my docs arrived here ok today. Maybe you got ozza's details as he's just bought a Harley

cheers, Steve

Steve,

Glad to hear you got everything back safely.

You had the same thought as me regarding them possibly being ozza's papers. This guy is originally Polish and lives in Isleworth and I wish I could get a phone number for him as he just might have my papers!

As I wrote, I'm so relieved to still be holding that Italian book as I think it is an important piece of the car's history.

Cheers, Ian

Ha ha - what a coincidence!

If I get any Fiat 500 documentation turn up I'll let you know!

(not Polish) Ozza

Well the V5 eventually turned up in the post and, after sending drawings of the original surrounds and discussions regarding any possible legal problems, we decided to go slightly larger on the digits on the rear plate. The plates arrived on Saturday and following some adjustments to them we now have the plates fitted and have had the first ride out in our car to a local car show today.

I was disappointed to find that the plate makers didn't have matching "1" digits in the two sizes but accepted this as my patience was running thin:bang: and I don't think many people will notice, except when seeing these photos!

Ian

Hi Ian,
Hopefully we will have a number this week. Our 500 has the same number plate surrounds as yours. Are your plates from the afore mentioned company numberplates 4 u ? Would love similar, I agree it's annoying that the front and rear fonts are not same!

andyrousecar said:

Hi Ian,
Hopefully we will have a number this week. Our 500 has the same number plate surrounds as yours. Are your plates from the afore mentioned company numberplates 4 u ? Would love similar, I agree it's annoying that the front and rear fonts are not same!

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If you get allocated a 7 digit plate like me, and I suspect you will, unfortunately you will not be able to use the front surround. No problem if you use a private plate like Ian.

The same is true of the rear, not quite as bad as it doesn't hide parts, though it does border right up against them on the lower row where there is 4 digits/chars to fit in. That could be fixed by using a smaller font size stamp like Ian.

Mine were the same font for both and came from Tippers. All good service, just very hard to contact by phone to make the payment.

cheers, Steve

I used tippers in St Austell, they list an Italian sized front and back plate, as mentioned before if you are allocated a 7 digit plate, it will not fit in the front surround. They did put a border around the front plate though to replicate the surround. They are on the net and if I remember correctly charged me £52 for the pair.
Franco

Interesting Franco, I seem to have a larger font on the rear from Tippers compared to yours as I can't use the rear surround either...





cheers, Steve

I had the same issue with the front plate, the guy did the smallest legal font possible but as the surround is angled at the sides it didn't work. I am quite happy with the end result, however I wish I could have kept the original 'Palermo' plates for longer!,I sent them the surround for the back just to make sure it fitted.
Franco

Hi All,

We were fortunate in that, with our car being a '62, an age related registration gave us a six digit number so symmetry was a given. I'm not the most patient of people and had Tippers been contactable on the day I would probably have gone with them but Numberplates4U were, in the main, very helpful. In hindsight I'm surprised they had no prior experience of standard Italian plate surrounds, requiring that they had to ask how much to cut the plates by in order that they would fit and also I had to drill the front plate and file corners of the rear one to use the original fixings. If Tippers' plates would have fitted without cutting then they would have saved me quite a lot of both money and effort.

With regard to font size. I'm told that, as the size used for plates on imports in 1962 would/could have had 1 3/4" digits then that is legal today but the font on the rear is my choice, following advice from NP4U, and hopefully won't result in problems with the law! I was given the choice of how big I wanted to go tho.

Interesting how the plates from the same supplier vary.

Steve, It would appear that you got sorted quicker than I did. Were the plates supplied with the digits polished or have you been busy?

Franco, I completely agree with your comment about keeping the original plates, they just look so cool and, well, right.

Andy, please note my comments above; if you want the plates to fit, and if you get allocated a number that will work, be prepared for some minor work to be able to use the surrounds. The guy at NP4U is Malcolm and he has my drawings showing surround sizes. I'm sure he has stamps that will enable use of the rear surround with 7 digits, if that is how you choose to proceed.

Cheers,

IanEmery said:

Steve, It would appear that you got sorted quicker than I did. Were the plates supplied with the digits polished or have you been busy?

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Hi Ian

They were supplied polished, £58 a pair delivered. The arrived on Saturday, so probably the same time as you.

They are 11x3" front and 11x8" rear. It seems the reason they differ is that Franco sent them his rear surround, so Tippers must have used a smaller font size on his to fit within the surround. I didn't think to do that!

cheers, Steve

Hi Steve,

Your plates look great and it sounds like you had a lot less bother than I did. Mine aren't as highly polished. Co-incidentally with the charge for cutting plus extra postage your plates were over £20 less than mine. Well done.

Cheers, Ian

What format were the original number plates in the 60s/70s in Italy on these cars?
Were they white letters on a black background?

Just found the answer :
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Italy#1927-1976

What is the small logo called on the plate, I know it's still on Italian number plates to this day?

Apparently it's the republic seal:

IanEmery said:

Hi Steve,

Your plates look great and it sounds like you had a lot less bother than I did. Mine aren't as highly polished. Co-incidentally with the charge for cutting plus extra postage your plates were over £20 less than mine. Well done.

Cheers, Ian

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It took them a while to respond to emails, and their phone constantly went to vm, but once in contact they were good and easy to deal with. Maybe with where they are located, this is a sideline/winter business and they are very busy in the summer doing other things or enjoying their own classic cars

cheers, Steve

I finally got around to fitting plates earlier this week. To tidy up the edges, I used a thin edge trim from woolies...

stevehg said:

I finally got around to fitting plates earlier this week. To tidy up the edges, I used a thin edge trim from woolies...

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The plates look great, Steve. Good idea with the trim

Cheers,