Thought this might be of interest here. As I (vaguely) understand it there was a Nardi conversion kit available in New Zealand for the 500 that consisted of cam, exhaust, VW pistons and barrels and this rather cool dash badge. I'd never seen the badge before this one popped up for sale last week. If anyone knows more about the conversion I'd be interested to know.

I used to work for "Radbourne Racing", who, although they were the 'Abarth' importers, fitted the Nardi 650cc kit. As you have mentioned, they were based on VW barrels (the early 1300/1600 barrels I think). The kit comprised a set of pistons, barrels, and cam-shaft, The carbs were rejetted by the 'in-house' Weber carb dept (but I was never able to find out what they re-jetted the carbs to--they were 26IMBs). I don't think that an exhaust was a 'standard' part of the kit, but a 'sports' exhaust could be fitted if so desired. I have a copy of the road-test on the Radbourne-Nardi conversion---if you want, I can send you a copy.

thanks for that. It sounds like it was probably the same kit. I suspect it was an expensive conversion here as that's the first time I've seen the badge. The seller said he got it from Continental Cars (a Ferrari agent today but started as a Fiat 500 service centre in the 60s) who originally sold the kits.
I had a visit recently from an older gent who had once owned our house. He saw my 500 and told me about the one he had bought from a relative in the late 60s and driven the length of the North Island to Wellington. Unfortunately the engine didn't survive the trip and the local Fiat agent said they could install a kit that would beef up the performance. He remembers it being outrageously expensive (his recollection was $5000 which would be really expensive today never mind the late 60s) and that the dealer was quite put out when he turned the offer down. I wonder if it was the same kit. At that price it's no wonder I haven't come across that badge before.

Fayray said:

Thought this might be of interest here. As I (vaguely) understand it there was a Nardi conversion kit available in New Zealand for the 500 that consisted of cam, exhaust, VW pistons and barrels and this rather cool dash badge. I'd never seen the badge before this one popped up for sale last week. If anyone knows more about the conversion I'd be interested to know.

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This thread sent me looking for my copy of Bambina by Todd Niall. A quick scan and I saw one reference to tuning kits in NZ then on another page a specific mention of the Nardi kit.

Fayray said:

Thought this might be of interest here. As I (vaguely) understand it there was a Nardi conversion kit available in New Zealand for the 500 that consisted of cam, exhaust, VW pistons and barrels and this rather cool dash badge. I'd never seen the badge before this one popped up for sale last week. If anyone knows more about the conversion I'd be interested to know.

Click to expand...

This may be some what late but in the 80's i had one of these engines, car was sold with engine in it in the 2000's to a guy in masterton. was a great performer.