General Fiat 500L 1972, original colour question! Argh!

[FrancescaS]

Hello all - I'm new to this so hoping this is the right place to post

I'm restoring my Fiat 500L, 1972 and am trying to find out the original colour as I'd love to be as accurate/authentic as possible. I've had a good look online to no avail - and now I'm hoping someone on here may have some further information to help.

Unfortunately the chassis info plate with colour code has fallen off (5096126), I've also looked at the online documents advising what red colour it could potentially be for this period. So as I understand it, it could be Corallo Rosso 102, Corallo Rosso Scuro 165 - and according to some documents but less common Rosso Medio 115.

I've attached 3 photos; one (on the gravel) taken around 2000 in what we believe to be the original colour, the inside of the engine cover now and also the exterior which has faded quite a lot since I got it in 2002.

Any advice - very very welcome!
Thanks!!! F

 

[Fiona500f]

Reading through Enzo Altorio’s Fiat 500 Reference book for the L he lists 102 Red from September 1968-May 1972 and 165 Dark Coral Red from November 1971- November 1972.

He is credited with being an authority on all models and variants so I hope that helps you a little. Although it narrows it from 3 possibles to 2 your month/year of manufacture/registration may narrow it down to just one ie if registered/manufactured after May 1972 it would point more to Dark Coral Red.

 

[FrancescaS]

Thank you very much Fiona - I really appreciate you looking into it and sending me the date details!!

 

[the hobbler]

Welcome to the Forum FrancescaS---where about in the UK are you? It always helps to know where people are so that Forum members can help each other out.

 

[FrancescaS]

Hello - i'm in North London!

 

[viago]

what on earth has happened to the inside of that bonnet? looks like it's been scrubbed with a brillo pad.

that is presumably the original non sun damaged colour.

do you like it?

there's red and there's red. i see no point in sticking with a particular shade if they got it wrong in the first place. doing so will likely knock desirability and value off it.

the new 500's have some lovely reds. you could choose one of they and still be sticking with an original fiat colour.
i dont know what it is but this red looks pretty special to me.