General Someone convince me this is a very bad idea....
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General Someone convince me this is a very bad idea....
AndrewHarvey
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I'd run
That is a very good idea.....I would run towards it.
You may end up having to be very creative with panel-work. It will be expensive and challenging, but that is very rare and sought-after car that will be well worth the risk and effort both emotionally and financially.
In the UK these are so rare that if one appeared on eBay in that condition I guess it might be expected to fetch well over £10,000.
You may end up having to be very creative with panel-work. It will be expensive and challenging, but that is very rare and sought-after car that will be well worth the risk and effort both emotionally and financially.
In the UK these are so rare that if one appeared on eBay in that condition I guess it might be expected to fetch well over £10,000.
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Bigvtwin996
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Ooooh it's a terrible idea...
its rare, it's early, it's it's it's.......
beautiful.........
Panels and stuff are becoming available...
and they seem to be originating in the US!!!
I don't know why, but I have a strange desire to buy one of these and plant it nose first in the front lawn in the early hours...
its rare, it's early, it's it's it's.......
beautiful.........
Panels and stuff are becoming available...
and they seem to be originating in the US!!!
I don't know why, but I have a strange desire to buy one of these and plant it nose first in the front lawn in the early hours...
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IanEmery
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“How much would you offer for it? Run or restore?“
How talented are you? :shrug: How much time do you have?:shrug: If you have both the talent and the time.....Hell Yes.... go for it! Fabulous car to own
I think Peter, fiat500, is about right on what it would cost in UK.
How talented are you? :shrug: How much time do you have?:shrug: If you have both the talent and the time.....Hell Yes.... go for it! Fabulous car to own
I think Peter, fiat500, is about right on what it would cost in UK.
In Feb 2017 a fully restored 1961 Fiat 600 Multipla in excellent condition sold at a Bonhams auction in the UK for £34,500. (~$47,900) so might be worth it (from a financial perspective), if OP does all work himself.
But it'll take a lot of time. A helluva lot of time. (Btdt!, more than once!!)
The usual advice for a rare car is to make sure it's all there i.e. no parts missing. Bodywork sections can be fabricated (if one is skillful enough!) if panels/repair sections are unavailable but trim items can be virtually impossible to find and very,very time-consuming, maybe impossible, to make from scratch.
Also remember, that potential buyer's, down the road, will want complete originality if they're paying top money....
I'm wondering if OP hasn't already purchased this 'car'.
1st pic shows a stripped car on wheels and with front sidelight lenses fitted, subsequent pics - front lenses and wheels missing and 'car' is on Dollies.....
AL.
But it'll take a lot of time. A helluva lot of time. (Btdt!, more than once!!)
The usual advice for a rare car is to make sure it's all there i.e. no parts missing. Bodywork sections can be fabricated (if one is skillful enough!) if panels/repair sections are unavailable but trim items can be virtually impossible to find and very,very time-consuming, maybe impossible, to make from scratch.
Also remember, that potential buyer's, down the road, will want complete originality if they're paying top money....
I'm wondering if OP hasn't already purchased this 'car'.
1st pic shows a stripped car on wheels and with front sidelight lenses fitted, subsequent pics - front lenses and wheels missing and 'car' is on Dollies.....
AL.
the hobbler
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The 1st Fiat that my parents owned was a 600D Multipla---amazing cars, and way ahead of their time. My father was Secretary to the 'Met police motor club) and as such devised, and then organised, a bunch of rallys for the club. All the rally route 'recce' work was done with the Multipla (no sat-navs in those days, so I learnt to navigate using a ordinance-survey map whilst dad drove). He also managed the met police entry in the 'International Police Rally' in Belgium for (I think) 3 years---the route recce work for those rallies was also done in the Multipla. Due to his contacts at 'Fiat UK'. he and they tried to get the car to be allowed to be used as a taxi in London (as they were all over Italy). The powers that be however sadly would not allow them to be used as taxis---black-cab owners and heads stuck in sand!!!
If I had the time, and the skill, I would have that Multipla like a shot---I would somehow find the money for the work. There are 2 ways to do the job---(1) absolutely as 'standard' with all work done to bring the vehicle as close to 'as original' as possible or, (2) what I, personally, would do---that is put in a tuned engine, slightly lower, discs on the front (the Multipla used 'Fiat 1100' brakes and front wishbone suspension) and turn it in to (with the appropriate paintwork) a "Servicio Abarth" vehicle. It would be unique, a real talking point at classic car meets, and a real hoot to use! Go for it man!!:worship:
If I had the time, and the skill, I would have that Multipla like a shot---I would somehow find the money for the work. There are 2 ways to do the job---(1) absolutely as 'standard' with all work done to bring the vehicle as close to 'as original' as possible or, (2) what I, personally, would do---that is put in a tuned engine, slightly lower, discs on the front (the Multipla used 'Fiat 1100' brakes and front wishbone suspension) and turn it in to (with the appropriate paintwork) a "Servicio Abarth" vehicle. It would be unique, a real talking point at classic car meets, and a real hoot to use! Go for it man!!
:worship:
In a roundabout way the Multipla developed into the 850 and 900 vans, one of which I am restoring. I can see some commonalities in layout and certain body components. These things all rust by design and the only way I believe that you can get to own a really solid example is by working up from one in an unrestored state. So far the bodywork welding has taken me the equivalent, I would guess, of 18 months if full weekends at it. But when you see the end of the tunnel approaching, it feels so good! Well worth it.
I would say go for it especially if you can weld/fabricate or have a very good friend who can. If you can't then maybe it's a good time to learn. Even if you do not finish the project you can take it forward for someone else to take on the task. My first restoration attempt was a 1937 Talbot which came as a basket case with missing parts. After almost 25 years the chassis up rebuild defeated me as ash framed coach building was not my forte. I got to drive the body less running chassis then sold the car on to a club member who finally finished the car after it had been off the road for some 40 years. The car was then the subject of a 3 page article in the Automobile magazine.
:tempt:
Run away! Buy it!
Run away! Buy it!
the hobbler
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If you (or anybody else) DOES decide to take this project on, I have some bumph on the Multipla which I am very happy to copy and pot on--just let me know.
OP
OP
turbo500
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That is a very good idea.....I would run towards it.
You may end up having to be very creative with panel-work. It will be expensive and challenging, but that is very rare and sought-after car that will be well worth the risk and effort both emotionally and financially.
In the UK these are so rare that if one appeared on eBay in that condition I guess it might be expected to fetch well over £10,000.
Yep, the thing about it is, they are very rare, and you either find them restored, or rusting away. There's very little chance of finding them in the middle ground state..
What do you mean by panels originating in the US? I thought the only mfg was in Italy?
“How much would you offer for it? Run or restore?“
How talented are you? :shrug: How much time do you have?:shrug: If you have both the talent and the time.....Hell Yes.... go for it! Fabulous car to own
I think Peter, fiat500, is about right on what it would cost in UK.
Reassuring
But I have never attempted a repair on such a scale. However, being so small, worse case it sits for a few more years until I find the right people...In Feb 2017 a fully restored 1961 Fiat 600 Multipla in excellent condition sold at a Bonhams auction in the UK for £34,500. (~$47,900) so might be worth it (from a financial perspective), if OP does all work himself.
But it'll take a lot of time. A helluva lot of time. (Btdt!, more than once!!)
The usual advice for a rare car is to make sure it's all there i.e. no parts missing. Bodywork sections can be fabricated (if one is skillful enough!) if panels/repair sections are unavailable but trim items can be virtually impossible to find and very,very time-consuming, maybe impossible, to make from scratch.
Also remember, that potential buyer's, down the road, will want complete originality if they're paying top money....
I'm wondering if OP hasn't already purchased this 'car'.
1st pic shows a stripped car on wheels and with front sidelight lenses fitted, subsequent pics - front lenses and wheels missing and 'car' is on Dollies.....
AL.
Ciao Al
I assure you I have not bought it yet, those are the pictures the seller sent me, I'm guessing the before was when it had wheels on, and the after is as it is now.
I'm weary of it for all the missing parts, I don't even know where to begin looking for them. Especially important things like the rear panel that supports the engine.
Great story, it would have been great to see an all black multipla as a taxi in the UK.The 1st Fiat that my parents owned was a 600D Multipla---amazing cars, and way ahead of their time. My father was Secretary to the 'Met police motor club) and as such devised, and then organised, a bunch of rallys for the club. All the rally route 'recce' work was done with the Multipla (no sat-navs in those days, so I learnt to navigate using a ordinance-survey map whilst dad drove). He also managed the met police entry in the 'International Police Rally' in Belgium for (I think) 3 years---the route recce work for those rallies was also done in the Multipla. Due to his contacts at 'Fiat UK'. he and they tried to get the car to be allowed to be used as a taxi in London (as they were all over Italy). The powers that be however sadly would not allow them to be used as taxis---black-cab owners and heads stuck in sand!!!
If I had the time, and the skill, I would have that Multipla like a shot---I would somehow find the money for the work. There are 2 ways to do the job---(1) absolutely as 'standard' with all work done to bring the vehicle as close to 'as original' as possible or, (2) what I, personally, would do---that is put in a tuned engine, slightly lower, discs on the front (the Multipla used 'Fiat 1100' brakes and front wishbone suspension) and turn it in to (with the appropriate paintwork) a "Servicio Abarth" vehicle. It would be unique, a real talking point at classic car meets, and a real hoot to use! Go for it man!!
The abarth multipla would be a great replica
lol, probably more like 18 years for me. I guess the tunnel is a little bit longer for me...
Can't do any of the above...but am building a group of people who can do those tasks. Agree overall with your points.
Not helping :bang:
If you (or anybody else) DOES decide to take this project on, I have some bumph on the Multipla which I am very happy to copy and pot on--just let me know.
Thank you thank you!
It seems this car is much harder to source parts for than a 500 or 600, so every little bit helps
OP
OP
turbo500
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Ok so I spoke more with the owner...
-The car is pretty much as is shown in photos. It's missing most parts like bumpers, rear body panel that supports engine, lights, interior dash, fuel tank?
-They only have 3 wheels out of 5, and 1 axle is missing (shouldn't be an issue as it's almost identical to a 600 no?) What wheels does it use? Could use a spare 500 wheel on it? To roll it onto a car trailer...
-Still waiting to hear about documentation/origin/etc
-The car is pretty much as is shown in photos. It's missing most parts like bumpers, rear body panel that supports engine, lights, interior dash, fuel tank?
-They only have 3 wheels out of 5, and 1 axle is missing (shouldn't be an issue as it's almost identical to a 600 no?) What wheels does it use? Could use a spare 500 wheel on it? To roll it onto a car trailer...
-Still waiting to hear about documentation/origin/etc
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You might struggle to get a replacement rear panel but the ones for the 600 and onwards vans are plentiful and not too pricey all considered. I am sure they could be.modified to fit the Multipla.
You make it sound so easy
The question Turbo500 needs to ask is to Peter and Sean! Would the Kings of Rust and Patina (Patina in Peter’s case with a modicum of shiny, and nice and shiny in Sean’s) buy it and if it was say £8k as a resto project requiring lots of panel fettling and forming?
Having seen the list of bits missing, some are going to be really hard to source without some contacts in Italy.
TBH honest I have loved them since the first time I saw one in the flesh, the thought of you and a couple of mates perched on the front bench seat trundling down the lanes is really enticing.
If I won the lottery tomorrow top of my list would be a Multipla followed closely by a Split Screen VW camper van. You can keep all the super cars!!!! Oh alright I find room to squeeze in one somewhere
Some of the missing parts are more than likely the same as the standard 600 (2.7million produced between 1955-69). Having had Fiat 600's I'd reckon the std 600 rear panel will fit. Rear lights look the same, also rear bumper. Fuel tank on the std 600 is in the front trunk, 600 Multipla it's not. Front bumper is possibly the same but has very tall over-riders fitted which mount to the front panel at their tops.
The wheels shown in the pictures are not 600 wheels, look to be from a later 127, or possibly 128.(notice the 3 pressed lugs/bumps that hold the chrome hubcap on). The original 600 wheels didn't have ventilation holes and had iirc 3 (maybe 4?) spring steel clips rivetted to the wheel centre, close to the wheel bolt holes, to hold a chrome hub cap in place. These wheels were 4x 98mm pcd and widely used on various Fiats but their width and offset varied depending on application. In other words, providing you're not after originality, getting suitable wheels won't be a problem. Even more modern Fiats still use 4x98mm pcd wheels, also Lada, Yugo, Lancia etc. There's not much room to fit a wider wheel on the rear but one could be used on the front just to get the shell onto a trailer. Maybe borrow a modern 'space-saver' spare wheel from a modern Fiat?
If you want to see what a fairly nice one looks like as regards lights, trim, interior, chrome, bumpers, wheels etc (but note engine is not original!!)
you might check out :-
www.petrolicious.com/marketplace/1962-fiat-600-multipla
Al.
I'm a real sucker for these basket cases, so I'd buy it bearing in mind that you need lots of time, patience and reasonably deep pockets.
About 5 years ago I bought a 1957 Alfa Spider that was a rusted wreck and completely disassembled. It was missing lots of bits and of those that were present, many were unusable. The engine, gearbox and diff had been stripped and all of the nuts and bolts were separated and mixed in two large plastic containers. Took a few weeks to sort them. Today that car is nearly finished and is quite rare and very beautiful. For me, the fun was in the hunt for parts (the Internet has revolutionised this aspect of restoration), learning new skills and meeting heaps of fascinating people.
Looking for an old Lancia next - just don't tell the missus
The Multiplas are very interesting cars. Good luck with it when you buy and remember to post lots of pictures.
Chris
About 5 years ago I bought a 1957 Alfa Spider that was a rusted wreck and completely disassembled. It was missing lots of bits and of those that were present, many were unusable. The engine, gearbox and diff had been stripped and all of the nuts and bolts were separated and mixed in two large plastic containers. Took a few weeks to sort them. Today that car is nearly finished and is quite rare and very beautiful. For me, the fun was in the hunt for parts (the Internet has revolutionised this aspect of restoration), learning new skills and meeting heaps of fascinating people.
Looking for an old Lancia next - just don't tell the missus
The Multiplas are very interesting cars. Good luck with it when you buy and remember to post lots of pictures.
Chris
OP
OP
turbo500
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You make it sound so easy
The question Turbo500 needs to ask is to Peter and Sean! Would the Kings of Rust and Patina (Patina in Peter’s case with a modicum of shiny, and nice and shiny in Sean’s) buy it and if it was say £8k as a resto project requiring lots of panel fettling and forming?
Having seen the list of bits missing, some are going to be really hard to source without some contacts in Italy.
TBH honest I have loved them since the first time I saw one in the flesh, the thought of you and a couple of mates perched on the front bench seat trundling down the lanes is really enticing.
If I won the lottery tomorrow top of my list would be a Multipla followed closely by a Split Screen VW camper van. You can keep all the super cars!!!! Oh alright I find room to squeeze in one somewhere
Yes what amazes me about it is how small it is. I saw a photo of it next to a classic 500 and the 500 looks bloated
I agree, I look forward to more feedback from the wiser forum members since I have no experience with welding and rust...
Al you are right again! I just checked for the 600 rear cross member, and it is indeed the same part! Now that I took a bit of time to look at more 600 parts, a lot of the dashboard as well is pretty much identical so that's not critical. Worst case would be to do a frankenstein restoration using as many parts as I can use from the 600, and then when I find more parts, replace them with the correct ones
I'm a real sucker for these basket cases, so I'd buy it bearing in mind that you need lots of time, patience and reasonably deep pockets.
About 5 years ago I bought a 1957 Alfa Spider that was a rusted wreck and completely disassembled. It was missing lots of bits and of those that were present, many were unusable. The engine, gearbox and diff had been stripped and all of the nuts and bolts were separated and mixed in two large plastic containers. Took a few weeks to sort them. Today that car is nearly finished and is quite rare and very beautiful. For me, the fun was in the hunt for parts (the Internet has revolutionised this aspect of restoration), learning new skills and meeting heaps of fascinating people.
Looking for an old Lancia next - just don't tell the missus
The Multiplas are very interesting cars. Good luck with it when you buy and remember to post lots of pictures.
Chris
Luckily the missus is fully onboard with this rusty relic, so no need to disguise it
The rust really annoys me, and I guess I would hate to see this project sitting for ages before seeing the light...
What Lancia are you looking to get?
OP
OP
turbo500
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Here are some new pictures of the interiors
Ok so floor pans are terrible, and I'm worried about the side 'frames' as well.
The doors seem like they will need to go as well?
I'm glad to see the fuel tank is there, but there's not much else.
Does anyone know where the VIN and Engine Code/Number would be on this car? Then maybe someone here can help me figure out if it's a US or European model Multipla..
Does anyone see anything else that raises red flags (no rust jokes)
Ok so floor pans are terrible, and I'm worried about the side 'frames' as well.
The doors seem like they will need to go as well?
I'm glad to see the fuel tank is there, but there's not much else.
Does anyone know where the VIN and Engine Code/Number would be on this car? Then maybe someone here can help me figure out if it's a US or European model Multipla..
Does anyone see anything else that raises red flags (no rust jokes
)