General UK to Sicily by classic 500?

[Noah500]

I'm considering driving my 1971 500L from the UK to Sicily and back - not for sure, not definitely - but I want to think about the realistic feasibility and, if realistic, what route. The current thought is to drive the whole way down, and take the ferry back from Palermo to Genoa and drive back from there.

Points to consider that I've thought of so far include:

• Is it a completely stupid idea to even consider?
• Reliability of my car - seems OK but every now and then I do have to replace/renew something
• What happens if something major does happen - I've got European recovery cover with a bank account which as far as I can tell has no restrictions on age of car, so could get towed/transported to a suitable place for repair.
• Safety (also thinking about what type of roads to take e.g. motorways or not)
• Realistic average speed/number of miles per day
• Drive every day or take rest days
• Comfort/noise levels
• Travel on my own or with a friend and/or get another one or two classic 500s to come along. FYI my wife says if I do do this, she's not coming in the car with me. She could fly or would it be sensible to have her driving along in convoy with the daily driver? I would prefer it to be 'unsupported'.
• Time of year - I'm currently thinking around May on the basis that the weather should be not too hot or cold, and it's not high season for holiday traffic
• Best route to optimise distance, type of roads, gradients, places I might want to stop on the way
• Places to stay - not sure I fancy camping, could do budget hotels and/or publicise the trip and meet up with fellow cinquecentisti along the way
• What tools/spares, etc. to take

I've got a few ideas in mind of places that I might want to go, including places that I've been before, the place where my car was first registered.

Anyone done a similar trip (preferably in Europe for comparison) and/or got thoughts on my points above?

If I don't end up doing this trip some next year, than I would definitely consider a trip to Italy in 2027 for the 70th anniversary of the launch of the Nuova 500... Turin, maybe?

Cheers,

Simon

 

[GettinBetter]

Definitely NOT a stupid idea, and if things go wrong you'll have loads to laugh about.
I did a 7k mile trip round europe in the summer, so you should be fine.
Checkout my Trip Around Europe.

UPdate: Missed the bit where it said 'Classic' but ... I'm sure if your car was well maintained you'll be fine.

 

[Noah500]

Just added 'classic' to the title to make it clear.

 

[the hobbler]

Just added 'classic' to the title to make it clear.

Before you do the trip (and it is feasable) you need to go right through the car and check EVERYTHING, because if it can break, it most probably will! One thing I would strongly suggest that you have the ignition on POINTS---very simple to replace/repair if they go wrong, whereas 'electronic' ignition wouldn't be. I would suggest that (a) you have a travelling companion, (b) you limit yourself to 100 miles a day and, (c) you DO plan rest days---maybe every third day?----which means 2 days driving, 1 day to rest yourself, rest the car and check it over. If possible, choose a route that avoids "motor-ways"---it will take longer and it will involve more mileage, but sitting at high(ish) speed for periods of time will tire both you and the car

 

[Greasytrucker]

Definitely NOT a stupid idea, and if things go wrong you'll have loads to laugh about.
I did a 7k mile trip round europe in the summer, so you should be fine.
Checkout my Trip Around Europe.

UPdate: Missed the bit where it said 'Classic' but ... I'm sure if your car was well maintained you'll be fine.

If a Twinair can manage what you put yours through, anythings possible I would say!

 

[rmjbn1]

Sounds like my idea of fun
Route Napoleon would be a good option?

Napoleon's gravity-defying 325km road

The Route Napoleon gives visitors the chance to put themselves in the boots of the emperor, deep dive into Gallic culture and unlock the beauty of unspoiled natural landscapes.

www.bbc.com

But it does climb quite a lot of high passes.

When we did regular trips to the south of France in a 2CV we would follow routes of rivers to avoid having to do too much climbing.

Loire and Rhone would be a good flattish but interesting route south.

I'd also avoid motorways, apart from short stretches if you need to cover ground, mostly because I find they're a bit tedious in an old car, when it's supposed to be a fun holiday.

A companion would make it more fun I think. And fully expect to break down at some point so it doesn't cause too much shock.

Tools, bit of top-up oil and electrical bits can be useful I find - fuel pump, coil, points, condenser, plug and lead

 

[Noah500]

Thanks... though wouldn't rivers be steeper, because water would take the shortest i.e. steepest way downhill?

 

[fiat500]

Sounds like my idea of fun
Route Napoleon would be a good option?

Napoleon's gravity-defying 325km road

The Route Napoleon gives visitors the chance to put themselves in the boots of the emperor, deep dive into Gallic culture and unlock the beauty of unspoiled natural landscapes.

www.bbc.com

But it does climb quite a lot of high passes.

When we did regular trips to the south of France in a 2CV we would follow routes of rivers to avoid having to do too much climbing.
View attachment 455893
Loire and Rhone would be a good flattish but interesting route south.

I'd also avoid motorways, apart from short stretches if you need to cover ground, mostly because I find they're a bit tedious in an old car, when it's supposed to be a fun holiday.

A companion would make it more fun I think. And fully expect to break down at some point so it doesn't cause too much shock.

Tools, bit of top-up oil and electrical bits can be useful I find - fuel pump, coil, points, condenser, plug and lead

Very helpful. I've always wondered how you do this without getting lost or using motorways...it's hard enough in this country!

 

[fiat500]

Sounds like my idea of fun
Route Napoleon would be a good option?

Napoleon's gravity-defying 325km road

The Route Napoleon gives visitors the chance to put themselves in the boots of the emperor, deep dive into Gallic culture and unlock the beauty of unspoiled natural landscapes.

www.bbc.com

But it does climb quite a lot of high passes.

When we did regular trips to the south of France in a 2CV we would follow routes of rivers to avoid having to do too much climbing.
View attachment 455893
Loire and Rhone would be a good flattish but interesting route south.

I'd also avoid motorways, apart from short stretches if you need to cover ground, mostly because I find they're a bit tedious in an old car, when it's supposed to be a fun holiday.

A companion would make it more fun I think. And fully expect to break down at some point so it doesn't cause too much shock.

Tools, bit of top-up oil and electrical bits can be useful I find - fuel pump, coil, points, condenser, plug and lead

Correction...."lots of top-up oil". also gear oil, driveshaft boots and seals.

 

[fiat500]

Very helpful. I've always wondered how you do this without getting lost or using m,otorways...it's hard enough in this country!

If France's river valleys are like Scotland's, in places, at one time, they may largely have been the only routes worth following.

 

[rmjbn1]

Thanks... though wouldn't rivers be steeper, because water would take the shortest i.e. steepest way downhill?

Only if you follow them to their sources up in the mountains. I usually find there's a convenient route to hop from one river to the next. Plus there are some wonderful river gorge roads in the south
Eg. https://www.francethisway.com/places/gorgesdelardeche.php

Very helpful. I've always wondered how you do this without getting lost or using m,otorways...it's hard enough in this country!

My 1988 Michelin map of France helpfully marks the Route Napoleon for you! Here it is heading south from Gap on the N85.

Not sure if more up to date maps still show it. The Michelin Motoring Atlas is a work of art, the amount of detail it shows. Every church, campsite and possibly boulangerie is on there. I'm still stuck in 1988 whenever I travel in France and it's wonderful

 

[rmjbn1]

Besides, you can't be lost if you're on holiday You're Having An Adventure.

That's what I tell my other half anyway when I don't know where we are. I think she believes me

 

[lazylobster]

Can't advise on routes, what to take, but hell yes, go for it! Will be an adventure for sure.

The 70th anni to Turin sounds a plan too

 

[onetwopi]

1970 Fiat 500 owner. I'm in Sicily and would like to do the reverse. I would love to know your routing and plans and would also be up for meeting in Sicily when you arrive!

Mike

 

[Noah500]

Where in Sicily are you? We will most likely come to the island in 2025 in any case, with or without the 500, as we have every year except one since 2015...

 

[FR85]

Mechanically check it over, full service and include a tune up comprising of a carb tune, valve gap and ignition timing and then point it south and give it ****!
I'd love to do the same to Ireland from Italy in something Fiat 238ish and the same would apply.
Bring oil, ignition system, leads, spare coil, cap, rotor, some points, plugs and condensers. If space on the back seat allows a spare wheel for the spare wheel as 12's can be interesting to obtain and you could lose a day there alone.
Small tool kit that includes everything to change a wheel, pull plugs, change bulbs, do carb tweaks and also a set of feeler gauges along with a couple of rocker cover gaskets as you'll have to do the gaps before the return.

I envy you!

 

[The Panda Nut]

Correction...."lots of top-up oil". also gear oil, driveshaft boots and seals.

I have my eyes set on taking my TA 4x4 as far up that Napoleonic road as is allowed.

Your idea is a great one. A real adventure.
I would also say get the brakes changed / relined before you go and carry spares, such as fan belt, fuses, variety of nuts and bolts, points leads, condenser, plugs. Check the fuel pump is sound and any hoses are good. If you have space take a battery soldering iron and some spare wire.