I owned a 1961 and a1969, I drove the 69 back and forth between Frankfurt, Germany and Livorno, Italy twice. The cruise control was quite useful as I used the autobans and autostradas.
I’ve owned my 1972 Fiat 500L since I bought it as a MoT failure for holes in the floor. Mine now has the 126 engine with a head from a 750Panda so unleaded fuel can be used. I replaced the gearbox with a rebuilt unit too. On stock brakes the extra performance needs disc brakes, so exchange units on the front work much better! Mine is lowered using a reversed front spring as used on racing Abarth’s and Spax rear dampers and shorter springs, I had that done at Middle Barton Garage who prepare racing Fiat Abarth’s! They have special Spax dampers made. Mine handles like an early Porsche 356! Do replace the fuel pump as often they are installed wrong & warp causing air ingress. Use a torque wrench to do it to the correct settings. A new fuel pump made mine go a lot faster! Sofia is much quieter than mine, I’ve an Abarth sports exhaust which I enjoy! Pirelli are making tyres for our 500’s again! These cars provide millions of smiles! Join the Fiat 500 club!!
Just watched this ( few years late ,) it was great I had a 69 500 when I was an apprentice to get to work it cost me £40 at the time I wish out of the many car I’ve owned I’d kept it
Many thanks for this delightful series of videos, i am glad you made it back in perfect shape, and please do not forget to post the updates on your engine replacement.
Hey Peter, unfortunately this was a while ago and the car is not sold :( ... a friend bought it and did the conversion but unfortunately it was not documented on video!! Now buys with my FrogEye Sprite! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video's. These were a great watch, not only for the Fiat but also for the journey you took to get home. I live in New Zealand and own a Fiat 500F. These cars have such a personality!
well done little old Sofia,Great job man, I have always wanted to cruise Europe in a vintage carI used to have 1973 vw beetle, my first car that I bought moving to unilooking back now, with all the cars & bikes I own now, my voksy was the best, ever. keep it, she will drive you through amazing moments in lifeyou will end up doing a movie about it
Habib Samaha hey Habib, a Beetle is also on my wish list.. I wish I could have both. Alas I will probably have to sell Sofia soon as have nowhere to store her! It has been fun though! Thanks for watching!
Wow! The best Fiat 500 video I've watched!😎. I have my own 1960 Fiat 500D here in South Africa and have just finished restoring her. Thank you for your video!😊
My first car was a Fiat 500 Luxus from 1960. It still had the older 479 cc engine with only about 13.5 hp. I bought it in 1965 with about 65000 km on the clock. I loved it! Then I 'upgraded' to a NSU/FIAT Panorama (= Autobianchi Panoramica, but built in Germany).
Incredible watching this, pre Brexit. The golden era of the single market, no paperwork or customs duties! Great times. People didn’t realise how good we had it.
These little beauties are very capable of doing long distances providing you don't take liberties with them. I've owned 7 of these but now own just 3 of these old cars and each purchase was very straight forward, I used the same ACI (italy DVLA) every time. I drove my first one from Rome to Salerno and then from London to Cavan in Ireland and back again to London. It never missed a single beat though it did take me ages as I stopped maybe 100 times to cool her down. Funnily enough, I've never had any problems with crunching gearboxes on any of the 500s I've owned. However, the non starting when hot game these cars like to play has put me in a couple of embarrassing jams but it's just something we have to put up with I'm afraid. What I do think us 500 owners tend to overlook is the fuel, ie vapour lock. Modern unleaded fuel burns hotter and therefore there will be a tendency for the whole engine to run hotter, thus making it a nightmare to start when hot. Fuel vapour, hot contact points, carburetors always play up when hot, coil can get too hot too and thus not send out enough current etc. That being said, I wouldn't swap my 500 for anything, I love the free road tax too much :-)
Hey Rebeccah.. thanks for watching the video! I do love the little 500! It may be things are now more complex than when you bought your's but it certainly was not simple in my case!
Hi 27, I agree with you that the way of buying a car in Italy is ridiculous, compared to UK. I do remember my first purchase in Rome was a pain because the ACI charged me some ridiculous extortionate "transfer" fee which I personally believe they put in their own pocket as it was not the same amount that was printed on their own transfer document, still you live and learn. I bought a Turquoise Blue 500 from Sicily last year and I didn't even travel to Sicily. The ACI were very smooth and the transport guy delivered the car as promised. So in the first video you said that you had to register the car in your dad's name, why?
I did some research and asked around and the problem with the car not starting when hot is due to the fuel pump getting hot and the fuel evaporating. (vapour lock), the issue can be solved by mounting a new electric fuel pump (with plenty of care to be used as electricity and fuel don't go well together) or by cooling down the pump with a cloth soaked with water. My two cents. :P
Thanks Brian.. unfortunately I had to sell Sofia in the end... but I have a FrogEye Sprite which I got recently which is similar in simplicity.. love it. Videos on that on the channel too.. thanks for watching!! here is the Sprite link.. ruclips.net/video/8Jt-b_oIXvM/видео.html
Fantastic film and very well shot, must have taken you ages setting up all the external shots, no idea how you panned the camera and drove! I want a 500 now!
They are fab cars=, absolutely no doubt!!! My dad was with me for those panning shots.. I had loads more in France where I left the camera on the side of the road and drove past but the camera caked up and the footage got deleted so had two make do with what i had!
I would like to ask when you will be posting the video about the gearbox and engine. I have the exact problem as you with the gear crashing when you change. Thank you😁
Hey, I'm not sure as at the moment i dont know if I can keep sofia or not for various reasons. I have the bits i need but wont know for a few weeks if i will have to sell her or not..
Good to see Jack in his early years
I owned a 1961 and a1969, I drove the 69 back and forth between Frankfurt, Germany and Livorno, Italy twice. The cruise control was quite useful as I used the autobans and autostradas.
I’ve owned my 1972 Fiat 500L since I bought it as a MoT failure for holes in the floor. Mine now has the 126 engine with a head from a 750Panda so unleaded fuel can be used. I replaced the gearbox with a rebuilt unit too. On stock brakes the extra performance needs disc brakes, so exchange units on the front work much better! Mine is lowered using a reversed front spring as used on racing Abarth’s and Spax rear dampers and shorter springs, I had that done at Middle Barton Garage who prepare racing Fiat Abarth’s! They have special Spax dampers made. Mine handles like an early Porsche 356! Do replace the fuel pump as often they are installed wrong & warp causing air ingress. Use a torque wrench to do it to the correct settings. A new fuel pump made mine go a lot faster!
Sofia is much quieter than mine, I’ve an Abarth sports exhaust which I enjoy! Pirelli are making tyres for our 500’s again! These cars provide millions of smiles! Join the Fiat 500 club!!
Just watched this ( few years late ,) it was great I had a 69 500 when I was an apprentice to get to work it cost me £40 at the time I wish out of the many car I’ve owned I’d kept it
Many thanks for this delightful series of videos, i am glad you made it back in perfect shape, and please do not forget to post the updates on your engine replacement.
Hey Peter, unfortunately this was a while ago and the car is not sold :( ... a friend bought it and did the conversion but unfortunately it was not documented on video!! Now buys with my FrogEye Sprite! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video's. These were a great watch, not only for the Fiat but also for the journey you took to get home. I live in New Zealand and own a Fiat 500F. These cars have such a personality!
gdub500 hey thanks dude! Appreciate you watching. Love my 500!
well done little old Sofia,Great job man, I have always wanted to cruise Europe in a vintage carI used to have 1973 vw beetle, my first car that I bought moving to unilooking back now, with all the cars & bikes I own now, my voksy was the best, ever.
keep it, she will drive you through amazing moments in lifeyou will end up doing a movie about it
Habib Samaha hey Habib, a Beetle is also on my wish list.. I wish I could have both. Alas I will probably have to sell Sofia soon as have nowhere to store her! It has been fun though! Thanks for watching!
Wow! The best Fiat 500 video I've watched!😎. I have my own 1960 Fiat 500D here in South Africa and have just finished restoring her. Thank you for your video!😊
Thanks Cameron! Truly lovely little jewels, nothing comes close in terms of personality. enjoy your 500 D! Jack
My first car was a Fiat 500 Luxus from 1960. It still had the older 479 cc engine with only about 13.5 hp. I bought it in 1965 with about 65000 km on the clock. I loved it! Then I 'upgraded' to a NSU/FIAT Panorama (= Autobianchi Panoramica, but built in Germany).
Always loved the 500 or "Cinquino" as we say here) Nice and enjoyble series, watched all 3 with pleasure
Very enjoyable series! 👍
Anthony Fleming cheers Anthony and thanks for watching!! I am picking up the new engine next week!
That was wonderful. How did you manage the action shots in the mountains?
Incredible watching this, pre Brexit. The golden era of the single market, no paperwork or customs duties! Great times. People didn’t realise how good we had it.
Beautiful car, great trip and video, thank you! Subscribed!
I've got a '71 500F here in the States & love it. It IS like a pet isn't it!
Glad to hear your keeping Sofia. Your other motors have all been great, but Sofia is the best!
Ewan Turner I'm inclined to agree with you! Thanks for watching the videos!
Such a wonderful series buddy. Thanks for making this❤️
These little beauties are very capable of doing long distances providing you don't take liberties with them. I've owned 7 of these but now own just 3 of these old cars and each purchase was very straight forward, I used the same ACI (italy DVLA) every time. I drove my first one from Rome to Salerno and then from London to Cavan in Ireland and back again to London. It never missed a single beat though it did take me ages as I stopped maybe 100 times to cool her down. Funnily enough, I've never had any problems with crunching gearboxes on any of the 500s I've owned. However, the non starting when hot game these cars like to play has put me in a couple of embarrassing jams but it's just something we have to put up with I'm afraid. What I do think us 500 owners tend to overlook is the fuel, ie vapour lock. Modern unleaded fuel burns hotter and therefore there will be a tendency for the whole engine to run hotter, thus making it a nightmare to start when hot. Fuel vapour, hot contact points, carburetors always play up when hot, coil can get too hot too and thus not send out enough current etc. That being said, I wouldn't swap my 500 for anything, I love the free road tax too much :-)
Hey Rebeccah.. thanks for watching the video! I do love the little 500!
It may be things are now more complex than when you bought your's but it
certainly was not simple in my case!
Hi 27, I agree with you that the way of buying a car in Italy is ridiculous, compared to UK. I do remember my first purchase in Rome was a pain because the ACI charged me some ridiculous extortionate "transfer" fee which I personally believe they put in their own pocket as it was not the same amount that was printed on their own transfer document, still you live and learn. I bought a Turquoise Blue 500 from Sicily last year and I didn't even travel to Sicily. The ACI were very smooth and the transport guy delivered the car as promised. So in the first video you said that you had to register the car in your dad's name, why?
any solution to that "start when it's hot" problem?
Yes, it was no real problem! Just the issue with the oil dip stick touching the condenser! All ok now.
I did some research and asked around and the problem with the car not starting when hot is due to the fuel pump getting hot and the fuel evaporating. (vapour lock), the issue can be solved by mounting a new electric fuel pump (with plenty of care to be used as electricity and fuel don't go well together) or by cooling down the pump with a cloth soaked with water. My two cents. :P
Enjoyed that road trip series Jack !
Great series!!!
Loved the videos. Hello from another 500 owner
Well done Sir, what a great adventure !
Cheers, Joao
Thanks Joao!
I agree completely with you on the Fiat 500. I could never sell one either. ILOVE the 500
Thanks Brian.. unfortunately I had to sell Sofia in the end... but I have a FrogEye Sprite which I got recently which is similar in simplicity.. love it. Videos on that on the channel too.. thanks for watching!! here is the Sprite link.. ruclips.net/video/8Jt-b_oIXvM/видео.html
What a great series , loved it
Your so cute and happy with sofia!
Ok can you tell us how much the car cost to buy and the other costs involved in transferring ownership.
Great series, interesting to watch!👍
Great series of videos. Did you replace the engine and gearbox? And if so is it on you tube?
Thanks! No I sold it before that to a friend who did the conversion, unfortunately no videos.. sorry!
Great videos
What was the Chateau you stayed at ?
Fantastic film and very well shot, must have taken you ages setting up all the external shots, no idea how you panned the camera and drove! I want a 500 now!
They are fab cars=, absolutely no doubt!!! My dad was with me for those panning shots.. I had loads more in France where I left the camera on the side of the road and drove past but the camera caked up and the footage got deleted so had two make do with what i had!
how much did u pay your fiat500?Was it restored?
I have wanted to do this for years but wondered if it was too far to UK. Looks like you need to be a mechanic though.
Guess it depends on the car you find and how good it is. With the right car I’d not hesitate to do this!!
Number27 How difficult was the buying of it and how much did it cost, if you don’t mind telling? My dream car
I bought a Saab 96 from Sweden in 2003 and drove that back. It was so easy because I bought it from a garage who sorted the paperwork.
I would like to ask when you will be posting the video about the gearbox and engine. I have the exact problem as you with the gear crashing when you change. Thank you😁
Hey, I'm not sure as at the moment i dont know if I can keep sofia or not for various reasons. I have the bits i need but wont know for a few weeks if i will have to sell her or not..
you're very brave...
Don't go with the sycro box!, keep it original.
"I was going to sell it"...hahahahahaha!
sofia is very charming
Thank you!!! Unfortunately sold now.. but I have a new Frog Eye Sprite I'm doing some videos on..
Number27 meh
Haha speeding in a fiat 500