Technical RHD to LHD

[Mr 500]

I was wondering if anyone has done a conversion on a Fiat 500 from RHD to LHD or vice versa and the complex issues that will/can arise.

All information is greatly appreciated as I am negotiating on a 500 although it is RHD and I would like to see if it is worth converting to LHD

 

[tjmra]

Off the top these are the differences I can think of:

• Headlights from RHD to LHD are different.
• Steering box and steering idler will have to be swapped. I don't think this is a straight swap across because I think some parts are either left or right 'handed'. You will need to punch the holes on the LH hand side of the front panel and blank off the one on the right and perhaps add / move the mounting studs.
• Brake master needs to move across. You will need to punch the hole on the LH hand side of the front panel and blank off the one on the right and perhaps add / move the mounting studs. I think the brake lines to the front wheels and the main one leading to the back need to be changed as well.
• Wiper motor moves across so the brackets and linkages will be different. Holes will have to be moved for the arms and the washers and old ones filled in.
• Steering wheel needs a new bracket (inside) on the LHS and the one on the RHS removed.
• Hole for the speedo needs to be cut on the LHS and filled on the RHS.
• Speedo cable will be routed differently but it may be the same part.
• Holes in the dash for some of the switches and lights need to be moved / filled.
• Knee pads will have to be swapped over as well. Don't think these are a straight swap.
• Pedal box needs to be moved. You will need to punch the hole on the LH hand side of the front panel and blank off the one on the right. I think the pedals will need to be replaced. Will need to add and remove the mounting studs as well.
• Wiring loom for the 'dash' area will be too long so you may need to cut or loop the wires to shorten some of them.
• *You may have to swap your arms and legs across otherwise you may press the clutch instead of the accelerator and change gears instead of use the indicator.

* This last one is purely optional.......

Don't take my word for this 100% but use it as a guide. Lot of fiddly work, not sure it is worth it.

Regards

Joe R

 

[Bambino]

I must agree with Joe (don't I always ...?).

RHD 500s are relatively rare beasts and if you have one in captivity I'd be keeping it original. These conversions are always a pain in the bum and are rarely worth the effort. In Oz there is no longer a registration penalty for driving opposite handed cars so the conversions tend not to be done any more.

Chris

PS: Welcome to the bulletin board.

 

[Mr 500]

Hi Joe, thanks for your quick summary. All that makes perfect sense except for the knee pads - what knee pads??

Hi Chris,
Understand what you are saying although I was wanting a LHD to be more authentic when driving it. I mean RHD are great although wanted to weigh up the options.

My only other question would be does the compliance plate indicate LHD or RHD? does anyone have a decoder?

PS thanks for the welcome - looking forward to learning!

 

[tjmra]

Knee pads (perhaps this is not what they are really called) run across the bottom part of the 'dash'. They are the padded vinyl pieces. On a LHD car there is a short piece on the left of the steering wheel, a lonnnger piece on the right hand side.

Regards

Joe R

 

[Mr 500]

hmmmm, understand. Anyone got pics to show me as I dont remember seeing them on any 500's that I've been in....maybe I just haven't noticed them!

 

[Bambino]

This is my passenger side one - the drivers side is much shorter. As Joe said, because of the curve to the lower dash, LHD and RHD are not easily interchangeable.

RHD knee pads are now available again after being impossible to find for years.

I think that a lot of them, both L & RHD, rusted out and were discarded. My car was missing its knee guards as well.

Chris

PS: The factory produced RHD 500s are just as authentic, just built for a different market

 

[Mr 500]

Thanks for the pic - yes I have seen them before. Don't know why I couldn't picture it
Your absolutely right about the different market, I guess I just need to accept it.


No one knows of a VIN/compliance plate decoder??

 

[tjmra]

This may help if you are in a hurry. Cross your eyes and the headings will line up. I think it came from a source that Chris provided.

Year Model From To Produced
1968 New 500 F - New 500 L 1.674.691 2.001.357 336.666
1969 New 500 F - New 500 L 2.011.358 2.362.389 351.031
1970 New 500 F - New 500 L 2.362.390 2.742.562 380.172
1970 New 500 F - New 500 L - Desio 6.003.760 6.030.952 27.193
1971 New 500 F - New 500 L - SicilFiat 5.016.129 5.057.789 41.660
1971 New 500 F - New 500 L 2.742.563 2.976.954 251.350
1971 New 500 F - New 500 L - Desio 6.030.953 6.081.301 50.348
1972 New 500 F - New 500 L 2.976.955 3.096.091 102.178
1972 New 500 F - New 500 L - SicilFiat 5.057.890 5.096.649 38.759
1972 New 500 F - New 500 L - Desio 6.082.433 6.120.574 33.998
1972 New 500 R - SicilFiat 5.096.796 5.104.051 7.255
1972 New 500 R - Desio 6.120.654 6.136.250 15.596
1973 New 500 R - SicilFiat 5.104.052 5.155.805 51.753
1973 New 500 R - Desio 6.136.251 6.154.362 18.111
1974 New 500 R - SicilFiat 5.155.806 5.203.179 47.373
1975 New 500 R - SicilFiat 5.203.180 5.231.518 28.338
Number of New Fiat 500 produced from 1957 to 1975 (approximately) 3.770.908
(1) Models: Economic - Normal
(2) Models: Economic - Normal - Sport
(3) Models: Transformable - Sun-roof - Sport

500 Giardiniera
Year Model From To #Produced
1960 New 500 Giardiniera 000.051 027.418 27.368
1961 New 500 Giardiniera 027.419 062.437 35.019
1962 New 500 Giardiniera 062.438 082.233 19.796
1963 New 500 Giardiniera 082.234 113.706 31.472
1964 New 500 Giardiniera 113.707 138.044 24.337
1965 New 500 Giardiniera 138.045 161.182 23.137
1966 New 500 Giardiniera - Desio 161.183
1967 New 500 Giardiniera - Desio 214.999 53.817
1968 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 215.000 234.999 20.000
1969 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 235.000 249.999 15.000
1970 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 250.000 258.999 9.000
1971 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 259.000 273.999 15.000
1972 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 274.000 287.999 14.000
1973 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 288.000 297.999 10.000
1974 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 298.000 307.999 10.000
1975 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 308.000 312.999 5.000
1976 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 313.000 319.999 7.000
1977 New 500 Giardiniera - Autobianchi 320.000 327.000 7.00

 

[Mr 500]

Im interested in the last two sets of numbers eg 336.666 - is there something of what colours these numbers represent?

 

[tjmra]

No, I think that is the number produced for that year. (A decimal is used instead of a comma.)

Regards

Joe R

 

[Bambino]

The 366.666 in Australian would be written with a comma as 366,666 and is the number of cars produced in 1968. (2.001.357 I guess should be 2.011.357)

Your VIN will be on the upper right above the fuel tank and will start with 110F*xxx xxxx*. The photo is mine pre-restoration after I cleaned out the bird nests and mud wasps and the VIN is arrowed.

Occasionally, you will also have an aluminium ID plate pop riveted on the firewall which identifies the VIN as well as the engine number. My car didn't have one - don't know why.

Chris

PS: Joe beat me by a few minutes while I was farting around finding photos ... Anyway, it's now past my bedtime

 

[Mr 500]

my dad has 2 500's and both have compliance/data plates. The issue I have is im looking at sourcing another and the seller is saying that it doesnt have a plate. Im a little concerned and prepared to walk away from it although it is a good find. He is saying that the car was imported to AU from NZ which is why it doesnt have a plate. Obviously trying to read between the lines for the truth!
Chris how did you go with getting yours registered if it doesnt have a plate?

 

[tjmra]

Not sure it is a compliace plate as such, more a build plate.

​

​

​

​

​

Qualification number (not sure on this) , chassis type and number, engine type,
number for spares. I think they sometimes had a paint code as well.

I believe that in NZ they were called Bambina and some were put together locally from 'kits'. I will have to look for my reference. (Or someone can wake the FOAK (aka Chris) and ask him.)

Regards

Joe R​

 

[Bambino]

I've attached a photo of an ID plate. As Joe has said it is not a compliance plate rather a manufacturers construction plate.

The ADRs were first enforced in January 1969 and I think, but I'm not sure, that cars manufactured before this date can be registered without one.

Chris