Styling 500F '67 - making it model/year correct

[Kent Kurt]

Hi Everyone,

Here are a series of photos of my 500F '67. It is obviously re-painted and I believe that it was red before the previous owner painted it in a non-Fiat British Racing Green.
What I would really appreciate are some thoughts on what isn't model correct, what parts are missing or wrong for a 500F from 1967? I won't be offended by any harsh comments, so fire away! I intend to fix those things that are incorrect, but a re-paint is not in the plans right now.
Engine is from a 126 in case you're wondering.

Thanks!

 

[the hobbler]

I think that it looks OK in BRG. There doesn't seem to be to much wrong with the car. The only suggestion that I would make is to try and give yourself a bit more slack in the fuel line from the body to the fuel pump. That is a strange place for the earth strap---they often go from the side of the gearbox (bearing-housing stud) to one of the bolts that hold the rear gear-box cross-member mount to the body. The fuse-box could do with a cover. Other than a good tidy-up and clean-up, it looks reasonably OK; but I am sure the more eagle-eyed of Forum members could pick-up on more details.

 

[tjmra]

Hi Kent,

jack gets stowed on the side as per the photo's. Looks like you have the rubber strap already, when you stretch it a bit you will see if it is perished or not. The little squarish black 'blob' between the jack and the top of the wheel arch is a small piece of rubber to stop it rattling (the jack, not the wheel arch).

There is a rubber mat that goes in the front as well and it is held in place by rubber plugs.

(Don't start us on the inside door handles......)





Regards

Joe

 

[Fiona500f]

I have a 67 F also and yours looks pretty much as I think it should be stand to be corrected. The only things I can spot are the things already mentioned.

The earth strap
Fuel line
Jack, it should also have a second strap but can’t see because of the jump leads.

It should also have a heat shield over the exhaust and on on the engine bay lid may be there but can’t see because of the angle of the photo.

It should have a seal around the lip of the front panel for the bonnet lid to seal against.

The breather pipe from the air filter to rocker cover is not standard.



The breather pipe from the air filter to rocker cover is not standard colour.

It looks like the coil has been moved to the left hand side, probably to protect from the heat of the exhaust.

There should be a rubber seal next to the lip on the front boot panel to seal against the boot lid.

 

[Kent Kurt]

Thanks, this is really, really helpful. The engine itself is from a 126. Do you think any of your engine specific comments would still apply? I'm afraid that I don't know enough about the difference between the 500 and the 126 engines.

I have a 67 F also and yours looks pretty much as I think it should be stand to be corrected. The only things I can spot are the things already mentioned.

The earth strap
Fuel line
Jack, it should also have a second strap but can’t see because of the jump leads.

It should also have a heat shield over the exhaust and on on the engine bay lid may be there but can’t see because of the angle of the photo.

It should have a seal around the lip of the front panel for the bonnet lid to seal against.

The breather pipe from the air filter to rocker cover is not standard.



The breather pipe from the air filter to rocker cover is not standard colour.

It looks like the coil has been moved to the left hand side, probably to protect from the heat of the exhaust.

There should be a rubber seal next to the lip on the front boot panel to seal against the boot lid.

 

[the hobbler]

The main difference between the 500 (type 110) engine and the 126 engines is capacity. They are either 594cc or 652cc. If you look at the rear of the engine you will find the engine number and model on a machine-flat by the fuel-pump.
let us know what it is and we can advise you as to which engine you have. The gearbox is also different in that the 500 box has NO synchromesh whilst the 126 box has synchro on 2nd, 3rd ant top gears.

 

[Fiona500f]

Hi Kent,

I mention the points on my first post mainly because you ask about keeping or returning your car to its original condition.

My car also has the 126 650 engine and gearbox and I do not intend changing that back to original.

The coil being moved to the left hand side has probably been done to protect it from the heat of the exhaust so probably wise to keep it were it is. The exhaust heat shield is mainly fitted to protect the coil but probably does not give too much protection to the distributor so you can probably get away without fitting one.

I can see that there is some form of protection on the engine bay lid but I would inspect it and if it is breaking down replace it as it provides a degree of protection to the paintwork from the exhaust.

Of course it is your car and you should have it how you want it to be the only reason to change some of the things is if you want it to be truly concours.

 

[Vitesse]

The coil being moved to the left hand side has probably been done to protect it from the heat of the exhaust so probably wise to keep it were it is. The exhaust heat shield is mainly fitted to protect the coil but probably does not give too much protection to the distributor so you can probably get away without fitting one.

Early F’s had the coil on the left hand side of the engine bay. Mine is a 66 and has it there and there was a crossover point sometime in 67 where they moved it over to near the distributor. Not sure why they did it but the more sensible place is the left hand side because it is cooler. The only logical reason I can think of is possibly the length of the king lead meant the spark was diminished from the coil due to the additional length and resistance of the lead? It’s a hand-me down from the D to have it on the left.

 

[Kent Kurt]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for the invaluable input on the exterior of my 500F '67. Now I'd like to share some photos of the interior. It is my theory that the previous owner that did the re-painting didn't get all the parts back inside, or did a less than stellar job doing it, so some parts are either missing or incorrectly/poorly installed.
I'd really appreciate any feedback on what looks incorrectly installed, missing or just model-incorrect. Don't hold back, honest opinions wanted!

Cheers,

 

[Fiona500f]

Hi Kent (or is it Kurt) have seen you addressed as both,

Whilst not being an expert having only had my “F” for just over a year, here goes.

I have read your post re the mismatched door card so no need to raise that further.

You have a dash knee pad which I don’t think came as original although may have been offered as an option, however the second shorter length between the steering wheel and drivers door is missing.



The door seals require refitting on the passengers side, the joint is usually at the centre bottom position the joint then covered by a cill plate. The drivers side door seal looks like a hash up of different bits of seals and would be better replaced.

The drivers door does not have the retaining spring clip and cover cap for the door catch roller and screw, cants see if the door catch roller is fitted, may also be the same on the passengers side but cannot see.

Not sure what the thing on the steering column is, is it a column mounted ignition switch or some type of security mounting point? Whatever not standard unless specific to American market.

On the drivers door jamb Can I just make out a courtesy light switch?

Cannot see a rear parcel shelf unless it is under the seat/packaging.

You can get plastic covers for the folding sunroof bolts (getting picky now lol)

The rear view mirror may be after market or specific to USA market, looks nice though.

All in all it looks pretty good, however I am not an expert so other more knowledgeable forum members may have different ideas comments.

Regards Chris

 

[Kent Kurt]

Thanks Chris!

The steering column device is a locking device, I'd guess it was installed as an insurance requirement at some point.

I really, really appreciate the feedback! I hope to get a set of better photos soon so we can dive further into the nitty gritty.

Hi Kent (or is it Kurt) have seen you addressed as both,

Whilst not being an expert having only had my “F” for just over a year, here goes.

I have read your post re the mismatched door card so no need to raise that further.

You have a dash knee pad which I don’t think came as original although may have been offered as an option, however the second shorter length between the steering wheel and drivers door is missing.

The door seals require refitting on the passengers side, the joint is usually at the centre bottom position the joint then covered by a cill plate. The drivers side door seal looks like a hash up of different bits of seals and would be better replaced.

The drivers door does not have the retaining spring clip and cover cap for the door catch roller and screw, cants see if the door catch roller is fitted, may also be the same on the passengers side but cannot see.

Not sure what the thing on the steering column is, is it a column mounted ignition switch or some type of security mounting point? Whatever not standard unless specific to American market.

On the drivers door jamb Can I just make out a courtesy light switch?

Cannot see a rear parcel shelf unless it is under the seat/packaging.

You can get plastic covers for the folding sunroof bolts (getting picky now lol)

The rear view mirror may be after market or specific to USA market, looks nice though.

All in all it looks pretty good, however I am not an expert so other more knowledgeable forum members may have different ideas comments.

Regards Chris

 

[the hobbler]

I have a 500L, and it has a column-lock/ignition switch (still cranked over with the lever), so maybe somebody has fitted a 'L' column at some time, unless of course, it is a US spec item. Again, the interior mirror looks very like my 500L item--and the mirror has a light built into it which is operated by door-switches.

 

[grubscrew]

Hi. Yes the early F’ s, did in fact have the coil on the left ( opposite exhaust). The fuse box is also correct, as they changed soon after. The brake resivior is also correct. The steering stalk is the correct colour configuration too. It’s looks to be very original.
Mike.