500 'Knuckles' the Fiat 500 1.4 Sport

[jnoiles]

The wheel does make all the difference doesn't it, I have yet to drive a car with a better wheel.

Next time you're in London I'll chuck you the keys to the Elise for a quick spin.

 

[RUI]

I have driven a 2011 elise and an early one and I think the abarth wheel is nicer.

I did take some photos in the studio and messed the 340r below..again nice but the abarth steering wheel feels nicer.

 

[306maxi]

I have driven a 2011 elise and an early one and I think the abarth wheel is nicer.

I did take some photos in the studio and messed the 340r below..again nice but the abarth steering wheel feels nicer.

Gr8 4 expensive battery changes.


I'll give you a clue, the whole body has to come off to change the battery........

 

[RUI]

I think it needs to come off for front light bulbs also.

 

[306maxi]

I think it needs to come off for front light bulbs also.

So if you put nightbreakers in, make sure they're the newer ones?

 

[RUI]

Just don't drive it at night is the best option.

 

[samdavis]

Just don't drive it at night is the best option.

As opposed to the don't drive it in the wet you have with the Fiat 500?

Thanks for the complimnets on the wheel. Some cosmetic care needed next in the new year.

 

[samdavis]

Update: Spring re-awakening

I haven't used the 500 much over the winter, due to salt on the roads, snow, etc. It did come out the lockup a few times to stop anything from seizing up and to keep the battery in relatively good charge.

Finally it came out of the lockup for another coat of wax. Temperature starting to increase again so it seemed like a perfect day for it. The car was foamed, rinsed and waxed. I also applied alloy wheel sealant to the rims, Autosol to the exhaust (or whats left of it) along with various other things...

I also found an Abarth speedo surround (or cowl) on eBay for a fairly reasonable price. Was actually quite an easy fit with minimal hacking. The cowl extends longer at the back. There is an extra tab at the back that clips into the Abarth 500 dashboard.

Obviously my Sport doesn't have anywhere for this extra tab to clip in, so I just hacked it off with a Stanley blade. The Abarth cowl fits securely with the 3 toque bolts the original used; there is no movement. I put some anti slip material between the dash and the cowl to stop any potential rattles.

I also ordered and collected this package from D. Salmon's. It even came with some vague instructions. Shocker eh!

Won't be fitting it now, yikes, won't even attempt it myself. It will get down some point in the summer months! I am however in two minds about the (5) decal for the bonnet... hmmm! :shrug:

 

[306maxi]

Why not drive it in the winter? It's a 500, not some rare classic that will rust to death if it touches a piece of grit.

 

[samdavis]

Why not drive it in the winter? It's a 500, not some rare classic that will rust to death if it touches a piece of grit.

I dunno really. To a certain extent I have no reason to. I don't need a car to get to work, Colchester isn't the greatest place to use a car, mainly as you're stationary in traffic most of the time!

When I go visit friends in London or other places I go by train. The car is just a psychological escape for me, rather than an A to B. If I was after an A to B I'd probably my more of a 'white good' car.

Now where's my straightjacket... Ahhhh