900 Bluebell the 900e Amigo

[1500500]

I pulled the carpets out yesterday and found two 4mm holes in the floor where your heels rest! Quite astounding. Also found the original colour looks the same as Murphio. What colour is that?

 

[fiat500]

That is Fiat code 419 and is turquoise (Blue Turchese). I think it is perfect for a 500. It has a really deep lustre but doesn't appear to be a dark colour.
By the way,, I drill holes bigger than 4mm for each plug-weld I do!
You should ask Ben for an 850 car section. Any photos of it?

 

[1500500]

Thanks for the colour info. Here's another photo.
I will contact Ben to see if a 600/850 thread can be started as they are closely related.

 

[Franko500]

How about some spares?

 

[fiat500]

No o o o o o o o o o o......... Looking at that one, mine would be better as spares for it! Even so, well over-priced for me.

 

[Gary50]

Hi Peter

Your handiwork looks impressive, it must be very satisfying to see it all come together.
My project (Connie) has been in the doldrums for the last month or two due to other commitments. I can see that if I don't pull my finger out Bluebell will be on the road before Connie - time for action on my part!

Cheers
Gary

PS. Will need to introduce the vans to each other when both roadworthy again.

 

[fiat500]

Don't panic Gary, not much chance of me overtaking you, metaphorically or literally!
I had a dig around the rear corner of the gutter today. I knew it was bad but phewee! what a mess!
The beauty of a campervan is that it's easy to travel around and meet people... and other vans!

 

[fiat500]

I have done a new year tidy up and on the back of the aluminium which protects the inner roof trim from the heat of the gas rings I found this 30 year old instruction to Tim.

 

[fiat500]

The hen's getting a bit cocky.
Whilst I'm welding up the valance at the front, it keeps poking out of the headlight.

 

[puntofan01]

The hen's getting a bit cocky.
Whilst I'm welding up the valance at the front, it keeps poking out of the headlight.

Roast chicken anyone?

 

[fiat500]

Roast chicken anyone?

It WILL be roasted if it keeps on getting in the way of the sparks. It doesn't even wear goggles.

 

[fiat500]

I have almost completed the inner valance, which was really badly corroded all along the bottom and where it meets the support rails for the floor. I had to make it in sections but by welding from the inside after removing the outer skin, I was able to keep it looking tidy.
It is useful having the shrinking tool for this sort of job. Here is a corner section under construction, viewed from the inside where the weld will be hidden. I have found it very helpful to wipe the metal with solvent just before welding as there is a marked improvement in the continuity of the weld.

 

[puntofan01]

It WILL be roasted if it keeps on getting in the way of the sparks. It doesn't even wear goggles.

Lol! You can't beat a nice hot bird, lol! And that's just downright careless!

 

[fiat500]

I had an hour free so tackled a little area of the base of the windscreen. This is a common problem on these vans and on the Fiat 500. It was almost a textbook operation so I took photos. There's more to do there but it looks OK and there weren't even any pinholes! Photos next post.

 

[fiat500]

Images.

 

[Vitesse]

Nice tidy bit of welding there Peter. Looking good.

 

[Franko500]

Lovely Jubbly Peter,
you are getting the hang of this

Makes me want to start the welding on my 500D.


Great to see you being creative rather than just new panels.

 

[fiat500]

Just showing off when it goes well so thanks for the compliments you two. But TBH, I think maybe the steel is a bit better than on the 500 and I have used all genuine Fiat panels. The welds are more consistent than they were on Murphio.
I could have bought a full front panel but the £500 + postage put me off. Also as it was for an earlier model with round headlights, I would have been cannibalising anyway although maybe the 850t's look better? I can't step far enough back to get a good image of the front. There has obviously been a low speed shunt into a post or gate at some point and there's a couple of deep dents which had a ton of filler in them (expertly shaped!). I will probably have to cut out big chunks and either reshape and patch back in, or weld in fresh steel. It's too fiddly for me to panel-beat in situ.
It is strange doing this welding; I do want it completed, but would also be happy if it went on forever.

 

[fiat500]

...and it is going on forever. I did the passenger side and now have the headlight surrounds to sort out....quite fiddly!

 

[fiat500]

The front is now finished after I belted the big dent out and repaired the mounting flange for the headlamp. It was quite a complex, two-part construction, made easier by using the stretcher tool.
I might find more problems yet as the front, at least, has a full coat of filler over the entire surface. I can see much better definition of the lines as this comes off.