Topolino 1950 Topolino 'C' Project

[TaylorHmk2]

WOW that looks absolutely awesome! although at the same time it looks in quite bad shape, youve sure got your work cut out on this one!!

 

[babbo_umbro]

Lucky sod - great project. I had a couple of 500As, one the early type with quarter-elliptic rear springs and small brakes, the other the later A with semi-elliptics and the same brakes as the 508 Millecento; and a 500C. Great little cars.

Looks like GR on the targa, which means it's from Grosseto, in the north west part of Tuscany.

I have a spare crownwheel and pinion that I've kept for something like 45 years in the belief that it would be useful one day - they did tend to break, partly because people didn't treat the fabric couplings on the prop shaft with care, and not helped by the transmission hand brake - during the handbrake test on the MOT the back wheels start revolving in opposite directions, which can cause confusion. Anyway, the CWP has the car ratio, as opposed to the lower gearing of the furgoncino, and you're very welcome to have it if I can get it to you. I also have a pair of unused Koni shock absorbers, they're for a Fiat 1100 but the Tipo C shared quite a few components, including the footwell, I believe, and they might be worth checking out.

 

[babbo_umbro]

Make that SOUTH west Tuscany, where the famous Maremman sheepdogs come from - like (slightly) miniature polar bears.

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

Good luck

 

[Uno italia]

Thanks for the comments! and thanks for the very useful information babbo umbro, Glad somebody on here knows there stuff about topolino's, I may have to take you up on your offer of the crownwheel and pinion and possibly the koni shocks too! Will have to send you a pm,

Well for a little update, I sold my 1949 Sunbeam S8 motorcycle today so that's released some vital funds to get the topolino project moving, Hope to crack on as soon as i get the new panels delivered.

Will update as soon as some bits arrive

 

[ascott92]

This is definitely one I'll be subscribing to, intrigued to see how this turns out. Good luck

 

[RobinPJ]

We have two projects ongoing at the moment - one at each end of the spectrum.

First there is this very 20th Century one (actually looks almost 19th Centruty), and then there is the very 21st century one: https://www.fiatforum.com/500/320696-integrated-sat-nav-project.html

Both equally compelling and fascinating, especially for anyone like me who could do neither.

 

[arorat]

We have two projects ongoing at the moment - one at each end of the spectrum.

First there is this very 20th Century one (actually looks almost 19th Centruty), and then there is the very 21st century one: https://www.fiatforum.com/500/320696-integrated-sat-nav-project.html

Both equally compelling and fascinating, especially for anyone like me who could do neither.

Don't forget this one https://www.fiatforum.com/members-motors/319583-1971-fiat-500l-project.html

and

Begun's damper changes thread - but he has taken a back seat to earn some dosh on the A3 !!

 

[ysidfa]

Beautiful doesnt begin to describe this! Even in its current condition!!
Youve got your work cut out but its definatly gonna be worth it!
Subscribed!!!

 

[turbo_pib]

Beautiful car
My friend has one of this topolinos stored in a garage in tip top condition

 

[bgunn]

Bgunn's damper changes thread - but he has taken a back seat to earn some dosh on the A3 !!

Indeed I am, currently at this stage:

(excuse the fact the photo is sideways, I uploaded it from my iphone)

All 20 valves have had a little close contact with the pistons. Parts are due today/tomorrow, and I will rebuild the head on Saturday.

 

[RobW]

lovely

 

[mikki b]

Hi
I am in the process of restoring a 1955 Topolino C. We are currently re-building it after a re-spray and would really like to find another Topolino locally to have a look at. We are in Yarm, North Yorkshire. Does your friend in Scarborough still have his Topolino? Do you think he would be OK for us to get in touch and maybe come and have a look?

MB

 

[theclash230]

Hi, sorry to bring up an old thread. I am currently looking at purchasing a Fiat 500C Topolino from a friend but need help with sourcing the parts. All of what I have found is abroad. I can only find a few parts and don't have a clue where to get the rest from. It is in need of restoration and needs all sorts of parts. The engine has been stripped but the bits are there. It will need new rings, gasket sets, head bolts, valves possibly and other bits. Then the exterior parts such as tail lights, bumpers, wing mirrors, convertible roof etc. Interior bits like the carpet, door carpets etc and the obvious new parts for the brake system, fuel system, exhaust etc.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi, sorry to bring up an old thread. I am currently looking at purchasing a Fiat 500C Topolino from a friend but need help with sourcing the parts. All of what I have found is abroad. I can only find a few parts and don't have a clue where to get the rest from. It is in need of restoration and needs all sorts of parts. The engine has been stripped but the bits are there. It will need new rings, gasket sets, head bolts, valves possibly and other bits. Then the exterior parts such as tail lights, bumpers, wing mirrors, convertible roof etc. Interior bits like the carpet, door carpets etc and the obvious new parts for the brake system, fuel system, exhaust etc.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Hi, and welcome,

I'd missed this thread..
babbo_umbro was the only regular user I know of,

the yellow cinq in the background is a FF car, but don't recognise the username.

Charlie - Oxford

 

[babbo_umbro]

I had Topolinos (?Topolini) years ago - early short spring/small brake Tipo A, later full (ballestriere) rear spring and bigger/Fiat 1100 brakes Tipo A, and a Tipo C - and the Swiss topo club seemed to be the best set up, including things like knowing how long a crown wheel and pinion could be expected to last. There are also umpteen specialists in Italy, of course, and items like hood canvases and so on were quite easy to source.

By the way, I think I still have a spare crown wheel and pinion somewhere in the garage - kept on the basis that you never know when it will be needed - with the standard ratio - I seem to remember 10:51 - as opposed to the slightly lower-geared furgoncino (van) ratio that you sometimes come across. I may also have a pair of unused Koni shock absorbers, I think for the Fiat 1100 of the time but I suspect they'd also fit a topo - as I say, they've never been used so would need a rebuild but that's easy with Konis. If these would be useful to you they're yours if you can either pick them up (central Devon when in Pudding Island) or arrange carriage - I'll check the cwp when we get back to Devon in mid-June. I had an original parts book for the Tipo C but I think I passed than on to another forumite - I'll look and check.

By the way, be very careful to look after the fabric couplings on the prop shaft - if they start to loose their shape it puts a shock into the rear axle with disastrous results; likewise be careful with use of the handbrake - it acts on the front of the prop shaft/output from the gearbox (as on the Fiat 1100 of the period) and can also stress the rear axle - which was the only weak link that I suffered from. It used to amuse me no end when the topo was MoTed - applying the handbrake caused the rear wheels to rotate in opposite directions on the rolling road, surprising the tester.

Good luck with the rebuild.

 

[wavecult]

Introducing my latest project!. A 1950 Fiat Topolino 'C'. I was very interested in getting hold of one for a long time and when this popped up i couldn't resist.

As you can tell by the pictures its not been on the road for many years and will require a full restoration. The chassis and upper body is in fantastic condition considering its been sat for so long. Despite how it looks in the photo's there's sound solid metal under and all that flaking paint. The only major area's of welding appear to be on the floor pans and o/s sill so shouldnt be too much trouble.

It came as a complete car minus the engine and seat's but i'm in talks about getting the correct engine sorted. But virtually everything else hasn't been touched ( electrics/running gear/gearbox). You may notice its missing its pull back hood but the frames all there and would probaby need a new cover by now anyway. Oh and the N/s front wing and grill are only placed on for the pics

At first glance looking at the plates and badges it appears to be an Irish import. It came with no documentation so the rest of its history is unknown!

So here's some pics

I love the little pop out air intakes operated by a lever in the cabin!

Also Found what looks to be its original Fiat jack the with classic Fiat logo stamped in the top!

Looking forward to getting started on this project, along with my 1971 500l, Not sure which i'll have on the road first!

Must be an amazing feeling to work on such a gorgeous project! Not even the rust can hide its beauty...

 

[mikki b]

Hello
Have just finished restoring our Topolino C last year. I have some spare parts and can offer some advice if you need it. email me [email protected]

 

[mikki b]

Hi, sorry to bring up an old thread. I am currently looking at purchasing a Fiat 500C Topolino from a friend but need help with sourcing the parts. All of what I have found is abroad. I can only find a few parts and don't have a clue where to get the rest from. It is in need of restoration and needs all sorts of parts. The engine has been stripped but the bits are there. It will need new rings, gasket sets, head bolts, valves possibly and other bits. Then the exterior parts such as tail lights, bumpers, wing mirrors, convertible roof etc. Interior bits like the carpet, door carpets etc and the obvious new parts for the brake system, fuel system, exhaust etc.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

hi we have a topolino c 1955 finished resorting in 2016 we have a few parts left over.
hub caps , heater box , wiper linkage , roof cover, any information you need. have good contacts for spares. email me at [email protected]