General Introduction and my new 1969 500L

Currently reading:
General Introduction and my new 1969 500L

Katie B

Gone for a drive
Joined
Aug 19, 2016
Messages
158
Points
35
Location
Cheshire
Hello all,

I have just purchased my first fiat 500 and first classic car. It is a 1969 500L (named Buzz, given its year of registration) which was imported from Italy early this year. The car has little history but from what I can gather it appears to have been off the road for some time. It has had a bad respray in Italy but I wanted a car to restore, I'm just hoping there isn't anything sinister hiding under the paint! I have no previous experience so I think I'll be relying heavily on the extensive info in this forum. I've read lots of useful threads already!

So far I have removed the interior to clean as it's covered in sticky gunk. The floor pan doesn't look too bad. I am struggling to get the back fold down section of the seats out though. Does anyone have any tips for this?
Also I've noticed the passenger inner wheel arch looks different to the drivers side and I'm wondering if it's maybe had an impact.

Attached are some pics of Buzz.

Katie
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    1.8 MB · Views: 316
Rear seat partway through a good clean
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    2.7 MB · Views: 106
'Creased' inner wheel arch?
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 139
Hi Sean,

Hopefully this picture shows the crease better...

Thanks,

Katie
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    2.4 MB · Views: 160
Hi Katie welcome to the forum.

It does look like it has had some sort of impact, possibly from the front that may have forced that crease on the inner arch. Does it show any signs of having the front panel or wings replaced? You will probably be alright as the front suspension mounts don't appear to have been damaged or distorted at all. Does the car drive ok and not pull to one side or anything?

To remove the rear fold down seat, you fold the seat down and lift the rubber cover and on each side you will see two bolts where it bolts through the hinge and into the rear of the seat. I can't remember I think they are 13mm???

Tony
 
Hi Tony,

From what I can tell there is no sign of the front panel or wing being replaced and no other obvious impact damage. I guess once I get started on stripping it down more clues may be revealed.
It drives ok and doesn't pull to one side.

Great thanks! I'd read some threads saying it just lifted out but I guess they may refer to a different model.
 
Hi Katie,
I see what you mean now.
Yes that does appear to be creased. This could be as Tony said, previous damage from the front. It could also be damaged if it has been jacked up in the wrong place on the front x member.
Its rather difficult to advise with out further close up photos of the underneath, inner panels and front panels.
If the steering is ok then you may be able to just straighten it with a block and hammer.


this is the best photo I have to show what it should be like. Damian (Paolo66) might be able to assist in a close up as his 500 is currently in shell form.


Welcome to the forum. Don't be too concerned as you will be hard pushed to find meant 500's that haven't at some time been damaged within their 40+ years on the road.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6852.JPG
    IMG_6852.JPG
    351.4 KB · Views: 112
Last edited:
Thanks Sean. I hadn't considered It may have been jacked up badly.
I plan to use the car for the last remaining weeks of summer then strip it down fully so I'll see what is revealed and post what I find.
Talking of jacks, mine was missing along with the tool kit. Do you know where I can source a jack? They seem to be harder to come across than the toolkits.
 
I think that's had a side impact on the right hand wheel. I've jacked and supported the shell all over the place and you'd never cause that. It looks like there's some misshaping to the footwell bulkhead. If it is that then the worst would be the camber angle messed up a bit. Don't worry Katie, compared to many cars, yours is in great condition.
 
I think that's had a side impact on the right hand wheel. I've jacked and supported the shell all over the place and you'd never cause that. It looks like there's some misshaping to the footwell bulkhead. If it is that then the worst would be the camber angle messed up a bit. Don't worry Katie, compared to many cars, yours is in great condition.

Oh yeah it does a bit Peter, now I have taken a closer look, you can see a bit of distortion.

As others have said I don't think it is anything to worry about because the front suspension mounts seem to be in the right place.

I would be more concerned about what beast took a lump out of the heater tube, it looks like it had big teeth.:eek:
 
Oh yeah it does a bit Peter, now I have taken a closer look, you can see a bit of distortion.

As others have said I don't think it is anything to worry about because the front suspension mounts seem to be in the right place.

I would be more concerned about what beast took a lump out of the heater tube, it looks like it had big teeth.:eek:

Haha yes it does look like it's had a bite taken out of it! :)
 
Thanks for all the replies, it's much appreciated!

The only other thing I have found so far which supports it having had an impact is the caster, if that's the correct term, (position of the wheels inside the arches front to back) on the front wheels is different on both sides, not hugely but definitely noticeable by eye. I assume it's not meant to be that way, but being used to more modern cars I'm not sure if it's my expectations that are out a little! It drives well though so hopefully this is something that just needs adjusting
 
Hi K B,

All of the steering geometry angles should be the same side to side otherwise your tyres will wear prematurely and the steering will not perform correctly.

The angles are

Caster 9deg (+/- 1deg)
Camber 1deg (+/- 0.33deg)

Toe-in is adjusted by linear measurement.

The caster and camber angles can be adjusted by removing or replacing shims though if too far out, you might have bent or worn suspension components that need replacing. All measurements are made with the car sitting on the ground and loaded with the equivalent weight of four Italian adults ... :D

Do you have a Workshop Manual? A copy is invaluable when tinkering with these old cars.

Chris
 
Thanks Chris, I'll take some accurate measurements from the hard points once I have the shell stripped and make sure it all lines up properly and have a look at the suspension components.

Yep I downloaded a copy from the useful info sticky and I've just received an original copy of the owners manual that I bought from eBay. :)
 
So I have made some progress in stripping Buzz down and also found out some info about his past from an Italian friend of my OH.

It turns out Buzz was last in use in Italy in 1992 (according to records associated with the car) and had 2 owners. The second owner is a lady named on the certificate and owned the car from 1985 and was aged 26. He is from Rimini in northern Italy.

Stripping down is going well. I'm hoping to have the shell completely stripped and engine out etc this weekend. The engine will be put on eBay complete with videos of it running etc.

I've spotted a few bits of rust so far, one of the drain holes on the back window was blocked and there are a few holes appearing beside it but I think the real test will be when the paint is removed. Pics below. I've since removed all the glass and a few other bits. More pics tomorrow.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    1.8 MB · Views: 60
Can't seem to attach more than 1 at a time...
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 75
Back
Top