General 1937 topolino convertible

[top1937]

1st post and hope you guys don't mind me posting this here but I couldn't see a dedicated forum for the topolino.

A friend of mine has recently acquired an early topolino convertible. The body work looks to be ok and we can sort that out as well a fabricating parts for the interior, however what we reallly need is help finding parts, and a manual (I don't think Haynes made one for this model).

Does anyone know whether parts are avaliable for early fiat's or whether it is a sepcialist fabrication job.

We really want to get as much information about it so we know what we are taking apart rather than learning by trial and error.

 

[dialup_2001]

Please post some photos.

 

[Nuova500]

Re: 1937 Topolino Convertible

Do a search for Ricambio, ring them up and Im sure they could point you towards some parts. There are a fair number of Topolinos on the road in the UK, from the early 500A to the 500C, so getting parts shouldnt be that hard.

 

[oopsadaisy]

Hi top1937 and you are very welcome here!

I am sure pandavan knows the guy who used to own this:

I am also sure the former owner did a lot of work on it.

Sorry I don't have his contact details, but perhaps pandavan has?

 

[Panda Van]

Why has this thread been moved from the 500 section - or are 500A and 500C not allowed??

Anyway, some pics of the 500 would be cool, top1937, as for parts and manuals, theres sometimes some listed on ebay, theres also a list of contacts on fiat motor club forum under 'links' give that a go.

As for the previous owner of the pictured 500, it was Graham Nicholson and previous to that was the chap who restored it from a rusting heap was..................er................it'll come to me...........................................

 

[babbo umbro]

How big are the brake drums, and what shape are the rear springs? The very early Topolino, in 1937, had smaller brake drums and quarter-elliptic rear springs - ie they stuck straight out from the back of the chassis frame with the rear axle at the back end of the spring; the axle was also located by a pressed steel trailing arm above it. They quite quickly went to brakes the same size as the Fiat 508 - which meant they were very big and effective for the weight of the car - and the rear springs were half-elliptic - ie rear chassis was extended behind the line of the axle for the rear of the spring to be mounted and there was no need for the trailing arm.

Somewhere in the garage I have a spare Topolino crownwheel and pinion.

 

[Palio]

Why has this thread been moved from the 500 section - or are 500A and 500C not allowed??

Anyway, some pics of the 500 would be cool, top1937, as for parts and manuals, theres sometimes some listed on ebay, theres also a list of contacts on fiat motor club forum under 'links' give that a go.

As for the previous owner of the pictured 500, it was Graham Nicholson and previous to that was the chap who restored it from a rusting heap was..................er................it'll come to me...........................................

Steve Denning. Steve is completing a resto on a Smith Special I believe - look forward to seeing that, possibly at the NEC this year while Graham is turning his attention to the 1937(?) Toppo in his garage. Great to see these still being restored.

 

[mikki b]

1st post and hope you guys don't mind me posting this here but I couldn't see a dedicated forum for the topolino.

A friend of mine has recently acquired an early topolino convertible. The body work looks to be ok and we can sort that out as well a fabricating parts for the interior, however what we reallly need is help finding parts, and a manual (I don't think Haynes made one for this model).

Does anyone know whether parts are avaliable for early fiat's or whether it is a sepcialist fabrication job.

We really want to get as much information about it so we know what we are taking apart rather than learning by trial and error.

hi most part are available from italy / Switzerland

1st post and hope you guys don't mind me posting this here but I couldn't see a dedicated forum for the topolino.

A friend of mine has recently acquired an early topolino convertible. The body work looks to be ok and we can sort that out as well a fabricating parts for the interior, however what we reallly need is help finding parts, and a manual (I don't think Haynes made one for this model).

Does anyone know whether parts are avaliable for early fiat's or whether it is a sepcialist fabrication job.

We really want to get as much information about it so we know what we are taking apart rather than learning by trial and error.