Hi There, having completed my restoration of my 1970 500F, with all my technical issues (So far) sorted out by you lovely people, I now have a plan.

I wish to drive it to Sienna in Italy and back to the UK later this year.
There is the small matter of which way to cross the Alps or Dolomites and wondered if anyone had any advice or suggestions?

It has a 652cc engine from a Fiat 126. It now runs on unleaded, (usually super unleaded with a modified cylinder head) and has front disc brakes for the descents, electronic distributer and bigger coil, but a regular 126 carburettor, which may be an issue with thiner air at altitude ???)

My potential concerns are ideally avoiding motorways (because of my low top speed) avoiding longer tunnels (The car isn't exactly air tight or fume proof) and getting up the steep mountains........ however it would be great to see some spectacular scenery which I guess is best seen from the higher routes.

Any advise on routes, any particular spares to carry, places to avoid etc etc would be gratefully received!

That sounds like a bold move but also quite an adventure. Having drove to Italy and the French Alpes many times I know how much of great drive it is.


However......I'm normally doing it in a 3ltr TDI Audi Quattro and not a Fiat 500


I cant really offer any guidance but will say it will be a steady old drive and plan in plenty of stops and look forward to hopefully following your epic road trip...…….


Rob

Having driven my little 500 around Italy quite a bit, I actually recommend that you stick to the autostrada if you have any reliability concerns. Autostrade are well traveled and have service stations at regular intervals. Don't worry about the speed limits - it's not at all uncommon to see 'normal' cars driving sub-100 km/h on them (there are plenty doing double that too).

You'll have no shortage of scenery along them either.

It would be great to see your pictures and hear of your stories of your journey.

Many thanks !

Hi thats sound advice in respect of the services! its a quite bright blue (461Celio) so hopefully when they are coming up fast they will see me in time!
The engine is a complete rebuild with about 70% new components including cylinder head and cylinders etc with a 123 ignition so hopefully mechanically reliable, im doing a lot of long test runs this month in the uk to nail any issues before I go!
Thanks
Leigh

Thanks ill dust off the camera!

So did you get there Leigh?

If you need a recommendation on a place to stay in Siena let me know!

Hi Peter Family problems but not leaving next week !
ill keep you posted!