General 1958 FIAT 600 Barn Find

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General 1958 FIAT 600 Barn Find

58FIAT600

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Sep 12, 2011
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Location
Portland, OR
I got a call a couple of weeks ago saying there was an interesting project that I could pickup for nothing to give me "something to do" over the winter. As if I don't have enough already to keep me busy. My curiosity got the better of me and I picked up the Barn find just over a week ago.


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500 miles later and a few stares on the freeway it was home. Did not have much time to check it over before I picked it up and it has sat in the garage while I have been busy with work. So today I finally had a spare 30 mins to start making a list of everything I will need to just make a start on it.

At first glance eveything looked OK around the engine area but it only took a few seconds to notice that someone had been kind enough to relocate the battery to the back of the car. It is a pity they were not an auto electrician :bang:
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Still it made me grin a half an hour. I wonder what I will find next.
 
OK, so the seats are all out and I can see daylight from inside the car looking towards the engine, not a good sign but at least I know one of the items now to fix. Planning for first engine turn over on Sunday, work is getting in the way.

The list of parts required is getting long.... the car came with three boxes of spares and some of the larger stuff, I need to go through them before hitting the "please send me button"
 
Lucky find. Take good care of it!

Why can I never find anything like this? :rolleyes:

They always come along when least expected and when you are not looking.

So tonight I did not have much time for the car so I started rumaging the multiple boxes that came with the car and found this:

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Three carbs, two different sizes and two repair kits that look like they still have all of the parts inside, hopefully that means the previous owners never need them :D
 
More spares found, including another dash :idea: and alot of parts I don' t recognise as being from this car.

So did a bit of digging around and the key goes in the "ignition" but does not turn. Anyone able to shed some light as to what is supposed to happen.
 
I believed I only got three boxes, but I was in a hurry after driving all night to get there. Looks like I picked up more than I first thought. (y)
 
Never tried it in the doors yet. I only got the one key. Will have another dig around in the boxes just incase.
 
Just got back from a weekend away at my other "hobby".

Tried the key I have and yes it locks the door, so I will hunt down the previous owner to see if he has it. I assume FIAT does not keep records for these if i need to replace it :(
 
Greetings. I too have a "barn find" 600. Mine is late 59 or early 60. Regarding the key, you have two other options. Pull the ignition switch and have a shop make a new one. Other is to go to the local NAPA and ask for a tractor ignition. On mine, all you need is power, the car does not turn over with the ignition switch, it is manual with the lever between the seats.

Good luck, Rad
 
Congrats on a find. Please post up pics of yours, I hope it has less rust than mine. :eek:

I was surprised to find that there are alot of parts still available on the web. So I have a new ignition switch on order. I could not help myself I also ordered original owners and suppliment manuals. I have an old service manual with the usual signs of oil and dirt from usage. The suppliment already arrived and it is in almost new condition for it's age.
 
Must have been a very active car dealer in Portland as I bought a 1960 600 in Salem a couple years ago.

It is in slightly better condition but will recieve the full hot rod abarth treatment, but first sheet metal.

Does any one know if the rear battery adversly affects handling?
 
I bought mine in Idaho and took it back to Portland. I don't have any documentation on where it was originally sold. One thing I do know is that I don't see many left around here.

As for the battery just don't copy what was done to mine. I will keep the battery in the same location but will make a better storage shelf.

For handling if you go with one of the newer cells you could cut down on weight. It all depends on what you eventually plan to do with the car and how much weight loss it will have in other areas.
 
Good news... the engine runs :slayer: got it to idle without the choke. After letting it warm tried to give it a little bit of gas and it died, so it looks like I may not have got all of the crud out of the carb.

Feeling happy tonight :D
 
Hi there, I've only just picked up your postings. I have a 1967 600D that I spent eight years restoring. Great little car, every nut bolt,washer,seal, and component is now new or refurbished, including a reconditioned engine. I would not advise having the battery in the engine bay. It gets warm in there, and you don't want battery gases around a hot engine! It will also alter the balance of the car. I found that even having the spare wheel in the front boot made a difference to the ride! Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help. I am in the U.K. and my email is [email protected]. Good luck and keep the faith. Here in England there are just sixty one of these cars on the road!!! Best of luck , Peter.
 
I just started looking for another 600, it's been years since I had one and I miss it.

The ignition switch come out easily, just unscrew the knurled ring and push it back. It should have barrel connections if it's an early switch. Then take it to a locksmith to have a key made. It will be cheaper than getting a new switch/key combo.

If I had to guess I'd say the smaller carbs are stock for the 600. The larger unit may be from a 600D or an 850 sedan with the 817cc engine.

I would recommend getting a shop manual, the real shop manual from Fiat. Not sure if there are reprints available or not. Pull the tank and clean it out thoroughly, it's got crud in it I guarantee.

I've had a few 600s.
 
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