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This is our 1971
Fiat 500L deluxe We purchased it
in 1988 us being the third owners Since then we
have had to rebuild or replace quite a few parts mainly due to rust or old
age It is now in use
and mostly finished having had a complete repaint in the original Fiat colour
of Positano yellow We also had to
fit replacement chrome bumpers and over riders to the front and rear as well
as new rear lights and indicators |
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This was the start of the rebuild the
first job was to cut out all the rust then find out how much of the body (if
indeed any) was left, The main rust was in the floor under the two outside
seat runners, near side front wing, both inner and outer sills all had to be
replaced with new parts being welded in. The rest just needed some patches welding in
to strengthen the body shell The N/Side roof also required some attention
as it was badly dented the car had
suffered a roll over at some time in it’s life |
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After all the welding the next job was to
clean up the under side this involved rolling the car gently on to it’s side. After cleaning and checking the whole
underside was then painted with underseal and the cavities filled with waxoyl to try to
prevent it being attacked by the dreaded rust bug |
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Then back on its wheels again to start the
long job of preparing the inside and outside of the body for repainting as
this was to be sprayed out in the open we had to wait for a good non windy,
dry day to get a good finish. When having finished the painting all the
remaining cavities were filled with waxoyl, Whilst all this was
drying it was now time to turn my attention to cleaning and repairing the
seats, door panels, carpets ect and refit them, By the time the windows and
doors where also fitted it now at last was beginning to look like a car
again. |
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At long last came the fitting of the rebuilt
original engine gearbox unit That only left the steering, brakes,
suspension, and electrics to sort out. The steering only requiring new kingpins and
adjustment to the steering box A new set of shock absorbers rubbers was all
that was needed for the suspension the rest of the bushes being in good
order. Every part relating to the brakes was replaced mainly for safety The biggest surprise (specially for those that know Fiats) was that all the electrics worked first time. |
