My wife, Deb, sadly passed away late last year, and our daughter and I decided to never sell L10 DEB, her beloved Fiat 500 1.3 Lounge Mjet. It is currently undergoing a makeover with the intention of bringing back to the condition we bought it in around 2008. Any ideas for improving or enhancing her would be appreciated and I will try to post some photos when she re-emerges...and when I get the kernel alloys refurbished!
500 A makeover and tribute for my wife’s 500
- Thread starter Bedoil
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500 A makeover and tribute for my wife’s 500
That's a nice idea for a tribute
I have two cars (owned for 21 & 13 years respectively) that I also never intend to get rid of.
I think the best form of future-proofing is to stop it rusting. Everything else can be replaced.
On these cars, that means the rear axle (although even a replacement isn't too big of a job). I wire-brushed & painted mine, or you can get a garage to Waxoyl it.
Happily, these little FIATs have pretty good rust protection on the structure & bodywork, but some Pandas of similar age are showing signs of rust in the rear sills. I just pour some old engine oil into the cavity at every service (there are rubber bungs in the rear wheel arch & b-pillar), but again Waxoyl/Dinitrol or similar would be good.
A smartphone endoscopic camera is a good way of monitoring rust inside cavities.
I'm of the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' school of thought, so I don't think there's much point removing functioning components, but fresh springs, shocks, front suspension arms, drop links and brakes are a good way to freshen up an old girl. Stainless exhaust?
New fluids are always a good idea, especially if transmission oil, coolant and brake fluid has never been changed.
Paint is one area that can show its age, so maybe a trip to a bodyshop, or some elbow grease with detailing products. Some sort of clearcoat will help preserve the paint.
Interiors are plentiful now, but might be hard to source in future, so a spare set of matching seats might be an option if you have space to store them. Maybe just the front seat bases, which take most of the wear.
I have two cars (owned for 21 & 13 years respectively) that I also never intend to get rid of.
I think the best form of future-proofing is to stop it rusting. Everything else can be replaced.
On these cars, that means the rear axle (although even a replacement isn't too big of a job). I wire-brushed & painted mine, or you can get a garage to Waxoyl it.
Happily, these little FIATs have pretty good rust protection on the structure & bodywork, but some Pandas of similar age are showing signs of rust in the rear sills. I just pour some old engine oil into the cavity at every service (there are rubber bungs in the rear wheel arch & b-pillar), but again Waxoyl/Dinitrol or similar would be good.
A smartphone endoscopic camera is a good way of monitoring rust inside cavities.
I'm of the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' school of thought, so I don't think there's much point removing functioning components, but fresh springs, shocks, front suspension arms, drop links and brakes are a good way to freshen up an old girl. Stainless exhaust?
New fluids are always a good idea, especially if transmission oil, coolant and brake fluid has never been changed.
Paint is one area that can show its age, so maybe a trip to a bodyshop, or some elbow grease with detailing products. Some sort of clearcoat will help preserve the paint.
Interiors are plentiful now, but might be hard to source in future, so a spare set of matching seats might be an option if you have space to store them. Maybe just the front seat bases, which take most of the wear.
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Very sorry to hear that Bedoil. I cannot add anything, but I do wish you the very best of luck.
My condolences Bedoil.
I've got my old dad's 132 in a garage somewhere... and I've done similar to what you're doing. I concentrated on making the car corrosion resistant and then keeping it mechanically refreshed.
If it was me, which it was, I would say don't touch the interior and leave the paintwork as it is. If you give it too much of a make-over it'll look like a tidy 500 but it will lose some of what made it your missus' car.
Scruffy, peeling stickers on the dashboard, switches with the top missing, bits of wire dangling below the dash etc. is the car as she knew it. If you want a time-warp moment, you need to leave it alone, warts, dents and patina and all.
Ralf S.
I've got my old dad's 132 in a garage somewhere... and I've done similar to what you're doing. I concentrated on making the car corrosion resistant and then keeping it mechanically refreshed.
If it was me, which it was, I would say don't touch the interior and leave the paintwork as it is. If you give it too much of a make-over it'll look like a tidy 500 but it will lose some of what made it your missus' car.
Scruffy, peeling stickers on the dashboard, switches with the top missing, bits of wire dangling below the dash etc. is the car as she knew it. If you want a time-warp moment, you need to leave it alone, warts, dents and patina and all.
Ralf S.
Thanks Ralf for your thoughts and advice. I think concentrating on any corrosion issues as a priority seems to be the way to go, as you suggest.
You can concentrate on moving parts as and when they need replacing (suspension struts etc). Your main concerns initially should be a thorough underside clean and protection. Bilt Hamber sell plenty of anti corrosion sprays in differing levels of protection, cavity waxes thru clear waxes which are good for suspension components (springs, anti roll bar, rear beam etc). Removing arch liners for a good clean up, clear wax will prolong hidden areas.
There are companies that will clean and spray apply such products, with annual check ups/top ups. These tend to be black waxy layers which might not be quite what you want visually
There are companies that will clean and spray apply such products, with annual check ups/top ups. These tend to be black waxy layers which might not be quite what you want visually
There are places that will steam clean, rust convert and seal ; dinitrol being one such product. I’m not a huge fan of the black finish, especially when applied on all components in the wheel arch. This is one example company..
https://preserveprotect.co.uk/
I used Bilt Hamber UC on one of my other cars; I didn’t particularly need the clear finish for areas hidden behind the arch liner but for areas that are seen it’s a good product, easy to apply and visually clear
https://preserveprotect.co.uk/
I used Bilt Hamber UC on one of my other cars; I didn’t particularly need the clear finish for areas hidden behind the arch liner but for areas that are seen it’s a good product, easy to apply and visually clear
callisr
Member
I think this is good advice - preserve rather than restore. That way it will retain the essence of what it was when it was your wifes - and you can look at the kerbed alloys and the other 'personal' touches and have a little smile to yourself!
Im also very sorry for your loss and hope that whatever you decide to do with the car helps in some way for you and your daughter to deal with it!
All the best!
That is truly impressive, many thanks for the advice and links.There are places that will steam clean, rust convert and seal ; dinitrol being one such product. I’m not a huge fan of the black finish, especially when applied on all components in the wheel arch. This is one example company..
https://preserveprotect.co.uk/
I used Bilt Hamber UC on one of my other cars; I didn’t particularly need the clear finish for areas hidden behind the arch liner but for areas that are seen it’s a good product, easy to apply and visually clear
