FIAT 500L Positano Yellow with Red stripe One family ownership Never welded

1969 Fiat 500 Lux . One of the 1st. L models  imported to Britain . Used from new as Demonstration Car for Haynes Continental Cars. Fiat Dealers for South Oxfordshire. Always in the ownership of the family ever since. Never welded or involved in serious collision. Rust protected by internal and underfloor cavity Wax since new. Fitted with Italian "Nardi" tuning kit from New. This included new Pistons. Barrels. Camshaft. Sump (Alloy); rocker Cover ( Alloy); plus other odds and ends to increase power output of Engine  from 18 to 32 BHP. The biggest improvement was in engine torque. This enabled the car to frighten Mini Coopers when pulling away  at the Traffic Lights. provided you were concentrating and they weren't . There was no 0-60mph time for an ordinary 500 as 59 mph was tops . This one goes off the 80mph speedo (but is banned from doing so now) as it does not like high sustained revs ! ( saves losing the Engine components through the Exhaust System). Cruises comfortably; at 60 mph with power left to overtake! Still very frugal with petrol; 50 mpg is easy to attain . The extra power means it climbs hills  in top without the need for crawling up in 2nd gear as you would in a 500. The engine was rebuilt about 3000 miles ago with new Pistons and Barrels. a new  Clutch etc. This is probably 20 years since though; as it has been the Family pet since the Mid 1980's when interest in this Fiat model; probably  "the cutest car ever made"; became strong again and it was then  only used for high days and the odd Classic car meeting or Rally.  Had a respray and new sunroof in the early 1980's ( 82-83). By then it had probably reached well in excess off 60. 00 miles. Also had it only panel replacement. soon afterwards. when my Mother bumped the Driver's door at  the  bottom of their Drive on a stray Lamp Post ( she has taken more water with the Vino tinto since!!). This was new from the Fiat Distributors in Devon and fitted by my Father . Otherwise all panels on 'little Gemma ' are totally original. As my father or his trained mechanics or  later myself have  been the only mechanics for her since new. except a French Simca-Fiat garage in 1971). we have very little in the way of Service Records. This because it was always made space for in our own workshops as and when it needed any attention without keeping to any schedule. There are many past MoT test certificates and as all its work was done by manufacturers trained people it has never been neglected. Its had copious numbers of oil changes while continuous re waxing . on the Rust protection front. The interior with the exception of the Driver's seat is all. as was when I did it's PDI inspection in Autumn 1969. The drivers's seat split in the 80's and in 1990 I had it re trimmed by an ex Morris Motors Upholsterer in a very similar black Pvc. (  ex British Leyland Triumph apparently). Since then it has had the odd bit of paintwork mostly due to  very minor damage regular washes (always Wax Shampoos) or Polishing and spent most of the last 25 years asleep in a Garage. I am now struggling to get in and out now 62 not 18 ! and it is rarely used. so it is time for others to enjoy and look after her. This car is a genuine well cared for. original Fiat 500 not imported after being registered as new.  with proper RHD for Britain.  The condition is not concours and never was . the sole aim by my late father and myself ( we planned it's original purchase and studied the available tuning kits ourselves. placing the order with Fiat for the Car in July 1969 along with the order for the tuning kit from the Abarth concessionaires Radbourne Racing in Holland Park London. ) was for a car that would be enjoyed for a long time . without allowing it to ever rust away. as Italian Cars were prone to do in Damp Climates like Britain in the 1960's and 70 's. In fact for my Father it provided a vehicle to experiment with in preventing Fiats from rusting. For many years the inner wheel arches had perforated Zinc linings attached to allow for Electrical corrosion to take place ( all due to theories attached to use of  negative earth electrical systems instead of positive earth as used in the early 1950's). This undoubtedly helped to keep it as the evidence today shows. So expect to see a car painted in cellulose. as was the norm then . well rust protected still. by  cavity and underbody schutz and wax and not some over restored item that only has a good value if you treat it as a museum or  showroom object. This car is for any and everyday  use even if now it may only be moderately so. I do have an extensive written history as provided to an insurance company for agreed valuation to pas on to future prospective owners. Please arrange to come and see if you wish . I even have a lift to inspect it on. it will be MoT'd before sale for 12 months.  These tuned Fiat 500's are not ideal for modern everyday usage. as sole transport. as this involves too much dualcarriage way and Motorway work which they don't appreciate. high speed constant running being their Achilles heel.  but show them a twisty. tight hairpin laden hill to ascend and they revel in the opportunity. Coming down is great fun too. Will add more up to date photo's soon . Pay Pal preferred for £200. 00 deposit on purchase with balance by negotiation.  Please e-mail for more info.  By the way the DVLA have said it has a 4995 cc engine since the 1970's but it is give or take 10 cc 650 cc ( not a 126 engine though) . Also it is fitted. with the original Fiat 500 'crash' gearbox. a far superiordriving experience to any fitted with the later  126 synchromesh version especially as it is so easy to heel and toe in the 500.  Fiat 126's were are serious backwards step. hence the reason why so many 500s were kept in Italy and why the spares situation is so good. The retro styled modern 500 proves the point!No horrible offers. tyre kickers or time wasters sought or put up with.  Fellow enthusiasts all welcome.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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