ABSOLUTELY STUNNING 1973 FIAT 500 VERY RARE GIARDINIERA (ESTATE) 17,000 MILES

PRESENTING

 

A once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire the lowest mileage. best original condition 1973 Fiat 500 - Autobianchi. Bianchina Giardiniera 120 (very. very rare Station Wagon or "Panoramica") available for sale anywhere - worldwide.

 

Left hand drive. first registered in Italy in September 1973. Imported and registered in the UK in 2004. Just 27. 04 kilometres -17. 03 Miles.

 

Clearly always cherished and kept undercover the car is today remarkably. if fact amazingly. rust free and is quite simply absolutely stunning in every way.

 

A very rare car that is presented in almost unheard of totally original and un-restored condition.

 

Never welded. retaining all of its factory fitted panels and glass plus practically all of its original factory applied paint finish.

 

The very best of the best. We doubt that you could possibly find a superior. lower mileage. un-restored  example in its original paint finish for sale anywhere – worldwide!

 

The tiny classic Fiat 500 is now a trendy cult car. its miniature size and looks endearing it to millions. Designed as utilitarian transportation for the masses. it put Italy on wheels during the 1960s and spawned several variants. More than four million saloons were built in a 20-year production run.

In May 1960. Fiat reintroduced the 'Giardiniera' (Gardener) name that had been used for the wooden bodied Fiat 500B Topolino Station Wagon in 1948.

The new version had an all metal body. The integrated body/chassis assembly used on the rear engined 500's allowed an increase in the wheelbase with only minor modifications to cables and pipework. Many of the components of the saloons were used. but the engine. brakes and rear suspension were unique to the 'Giardiniera'.

The distinctive and lovable design of the front end was untouched and would still only allow a minimal amount of 'soft' luggage to be squeezed in under the bonnet. Despite this. a heating/demisting system and window washers were fitted. Front opening 'suicide' doors were retained and. unlike the saloon. these would be fitted for the entire duration of the Giardiniera's production life.

A single. side hinged rear door opened onto a spacious by Fiat 500 standards cargo platform that was so low that it was hard to believe that an engine was hidden beneath. But the standard 499. 5cc engine had been cleverly adapted to lie on its side and was accessible beneath a flat hinged lift-up section of the rear floor.

The cargo area could be extended to give a very useable storage area with a length of 1180mm (3'10. 5") by folding the one piece rear seat down against the backs of the separate front seats. For bigger loads the front passenger seat could easily be removed by just sliding it off its runners.

The roof of the Giardiniera was quite long and the almost full length folding top could be opened up far enough to expose the rear seats. but leaving a reasonable sized covered area behind them.

The Giardiniera station wagon. or Panoramica as it was known. was produced alongside the Fiat 500D until the Spring of 1968. when production was transferred to the Fiat SpA (Sezione Autobianchi) factory in Desio just outside Milan of which Fiat had become sole owner of in 1963. At that time. the Fiat badge was replaced by the Desio badge and the car became known as the Autobianchi 'Giardiniera'. the name stayed until production ceased in 1977.

Autobianchi produced just 120. 00 500 Giardiniera in total - not that many at all really. They were not produced in right hand drive format by the factory.

With so few made they were/are far. far less plentiful than the 500 saloon which today are two a penny by comparison.

Very few Giardiniera Panoramica's survive in fact they are an ultra rare car. Of those that do remain almost all of them have been. or now need to be. restored. They are a highly sought after collectors car and very. very desirable.

As I think we all know Fiats. in fact Italian cars in general. from the seventies suffered terribly with rust and this has taken its toll on the majority of  the Fiat's that remain. Consequently you would be hard pushed to find even a Fiat 500 saloon that was totally original today. For the most part. of those that are claimed to be original. almost all have at the very least been repainted.

As for finding a much rarer Giardiniera that's original and never been repainted - well surely that would be an impossible task one might think!

However quite remarkably one actually does exist. Not only has it never been repainted but it has never been welded. has all if its original panels. glass and trim and it has covered just 17. 00 miles since it was new forty years ago. In fact it is almost certainly the lowest mileage most original un-restored example available anywhere - worldwide and here is a once in a lifetime chance to own it because .

. it's on sale right now!    

RAU 971M

In September 1973 the first owner of RAU 971M. or 426780 BS as it was then. travelled the few kilometres from her home in Rezzato in the province of Brescia near Lake Garda Italy to F. LLi Albini. Fiat Dealer. There rear window sticker still remains.

 

The purpose of her visit was to collect her new Autobianchi. Bianchina. Giardiniera 120.

 

The owner was 43 at the time having been born in 1930 and this would almost certainly have been the first new car. indeed probably the first car of any type. that she would have owned.

 

The Giardiniera would have been ideal for the narrow streets (Via's) of Rezzato. It is unlikely that the owner would very often have ventured outside of the town.

 

The Via where the owner lived. Via Broli. and where 426780 BS spent most of its life was is typical of the backstreets of Rezzato. They had not been built for motor cars. However the owner lived in a large house on the corner of the street and it is clear that she was able to get her beloved Giardiniera undercover - after all not much inside space was required to accommodate it!

 

As the owner advanced in years use of 426780 BS became even more  infrequent. By 2004 with the original owner now in her mid seventies the car had covered less than 10. 00 miles.

 

In September 2004 426780 BS was driven without issue from Italy to the UK Midlands where it was submitted for its first ever MOT with 18. 58 kilometres. It failed. However not on much. The obvious things like the lights dipping to the wrong side and no seat belts. It also failed on the tyres. which would have been the factory fitted originals. being perished and split on the walls. Other than that though the only real problems were one shock absorber and low hand brake efficiency. Testimony we think to the way that the car was previously cared for.

 

On the 28th October 2004 426780 BS was issued by the DVLA with RAU 971M and registered in the UK.

 

The new owner of RAU 971M continued the use the car sparingly the MOT in 2005 shows 19. 55km and in 2007 20. 74km.

 

In 2008 the car was sold to its third owner a collector and enthusiast. Whilst in his care it completed the Leige. Bresca. Leige classic car rally from Belgium to Italy and back without issue.

 

Now back in the UK RAU 971M has been re-commissioned. span >  MOT'ed. checked over and serviced by one of the country's leading Fiat 500 specialists including new battery and terminals. 4 new wheel cylinders and 4 new correct Pirelli Cinturato tyres.

 

Today RAU 971M is presented in exemplary original condition.  

 

BODYWORK

 

When we acquired RAU 971M we really could not believe just how good the bodywork was. As we say most Italian cars from the era are renowned for rust the fiat 500 especially so. Yet here was an example that not only appeared to be absolutely rust free but one that. it would seem. had never received any paint rectification. repairs or touch ups whatsoever - astounding!

 

However as good. sound and rust free the car is it was not without chips. marks and  small dents caused no doubt after 3 decades of the narrow Via's and Italian drivers in Rezzato. There were also blemishes related to age. cracking of the surface paint around the hinges and a couple of other places. that sort of thing.

 

This left us. and our body shop owner with a real dilemma which we debated at length. Here was possibly the only Giardiniera left anywhere in its original factory paint finish. Furthermore there were no signs whatsoever of any paint rectification ever having been carried out.

 

Our body shop were concerned that they would be unable to match the forty year old dark blue paint well enough to carry out localised "blow ins" on panels and argued that each panel that had a mark would really require that panel to be entirely painted. They went on to say that by the time you had done that and faded the new paint into the original paint on the panels that weren't marked it would be more cost effective to repaint the entire car in order to give an even colour match.

 

No we said most certainly not!

 

It was not a matter of cost once the car was repainted it could no longer be classed as original. Furthermore the uniqueness of almost all the factory paint on a car of this age and type would be lost and finally the new owner would not be able to see exactly what they were getting - we all know what sins new paint can be concealing.

 

We decided that we should maintain the integrity of the original paint finish at all costs and keep any work confined only to cosmetic rectification of the worse of the man made defects. the small dents for example.

 

There were really only 3 dents that detracted from the appearance greatly. The largest and worse on the N/S/R wing was very shallow and the size of a dinner plate which had broken the paint in a couple of small areas. We had this dent carefully removed by an expert panel beater until almost invisible then localised paint was applied just to that area. The match is excellent even an expert would be hard pushed to tell it was there.

 

The next dent was to the passenger door and had not broken the paint we had this smaller dent removed by a paint less dent removal specialist. No paint was applied here and if you catch it from the right angle you can just make it out. but most would not notice it.

 

The third dent was were the external mirror is. This was very minor but had split the paint. The mirror was removed the paint flatted and a tiny localised repair made to the paint finish.

 

RAU 971M had. unusually in the early seventies. been undersealed from new. which would help to explain its condition.

 

This underseal extended a few centimetres up the sill area on both sides and remained black which looked a little unsightly. Again the debate do we remove it? Again the same answer - it's been there from new and if we damage the paint during removal it would mean having to cover yet more of the original finish we have tried so hard to preserve. Cosmetic compromise - put the 40 year old underseal in colour - so we did!

 

The whole car was then machine and hand polished. Chips and blemishes were carefully touched in by hand with a brush which although are still visible if you look hard are much improved. Age related items that give a patina that cannot be reproduced such as the cracked paint in places were left well alone and remain. as do a few other blemishes.

 

After four decades the factory paint now presents extremely well and maintains a superb lustre.

 

Not one single panel has been ever been repainted in its entirety and our body shop have excelled themselves by keeping the paint 95% original through their skill and hard work.

 

The roof operates exactly as it should and has no rips or holes.

 

The delightful and sought after suicide doors have new check straps fitted.

 

The front bumper has a slight crease the rear bumper is new. the old one had a small dent but is available should you require it.

 

It goes without saying of course that no welding has ever been carried out and that none is. or will be. required if the car is kept in this condition. The underside is excellent.

 

INTERIOR

 

The interior can only be described as in exemplary. totally original condition.

 

You could be forgiven for thinking that it was a couple of years old rather than forty.

 

The rubber mats are virtually unmarked and show no signs of wear having been covered by the bespoke over mats shown in one of the pictures from new.

 

These  Giardiniera mats themselves are now collector's items and it this condition will be highly sought after. Of course they will remain with the car.

 

The caramel coloured seats piped in black set the car of fantastically and contrast so well with the Dark Blue paint. They are unmarked and have not lost their shape. The rears look as though they may never have been used.

 

There is no headlining in these cars but the paint finish is unmarked on the roof. inside the doors and on the dash.

 

Door cards. wheel arch trims. rear liners are all original and excellent.

 

All the glass is original and the quarter lights and rear windows work as they should.

 

UNDER THE BONNET

Exceptional.

 

Spare wheel with unused tyre.

 

Unused wheel brace in correct plastic box.

 

There had been a brake fluid spillage which had stripped some of the paint on the N/S/ inner wheel arch a little. our body shop has repainted the arch.

 

Correct and undamaged floor mat.

 

Rock solid spare wheel well.

 

UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT

 

The engine bay is spotless and only through such limited use could it present so well and correct.

 

No sign of rust to the body or inner wings.

 

Original stickers remain

 

Most of the pipe work gleams and there is little sign or deterioration to the visual appearance of components.

 

Once again you would never know the age of the vehicle from an inspection in here.

 

An oil leak that was an advise on the MOT has been rectified.

 

IN THE BOOT

 

In keeping with the rest of the car the car the load area trim is in exceptional condition.

 

The rear seat folds down and there is lots of room which makes the Giardiniera so much more usable and practical than the 500 saloon. We think that you could easily get luggage for four or a tent and associated bits and pieces in here!

 

Under the mat the boot floor is spotless.

 

ON THE ROAD

 

The car starts with first pull of the leaver with manual choke.

 

Climbing in through those suicide doors the pleasure starts even before you set off.

 

We love it. with recent better weather and the roof open we had an absolute hoot on our test drive.

 

We always prefer Left hand drive in classics when they were designed to be that way - LHD VW Beetles are another example of this. Plus of course being left hand drive is no real disadvantage with Giardiniera's because you are not far away from where you would be if the steering wheel was on the other side anyway and with a top speed of around 60 MPH you aren't going to be overtaking that much!

 

There are no untoward noises or smoke

 

No trace of oil leaks.

 

The gearbox changes up and down just as it should.

 

On the road the car drives like an absolute dream. the engine sounds and behaves like a 17. 00 mile Fiat 500 should.

 

M. O. T. until 4 April 2014.

 

4 new tyres

 

Park it anywhere.

 

HISTORY FILE

 

1.    V5C (logbook)

2.    MOT 4 April 2014

3.    All the Italian paperwork that relates to the true age of the car and the first owner. With the car being able to be confirmed as built in 1973 in may qualify for free road tax when the rules change next year.

4.    A few old MOT's

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Many enthusiasts and collectors search for many years until they find ‘the right car' as did the second owner of RAU 971M.

 

If you have been looking for an exceptional unrestored Fiat 500 saloon but not been able to find one that meets your standards you may well want to consider this very much rarer and more valuable Giardiniera instead.

 

If however you have actually been looking for an unrestored Autobianchi. Bianchina Giardiniera 120 you have just found that "Holy Grail" we think that you need look no further your search may well be over.

 

There are so few unrestored cars left now.

 

We cannot recall any car that we have had. that has been so well received and attracted so much attention wherever we go.

 

It's a bold claim – "the very best of the best". lowest mileage. original condition 1973 Giardiniera available anywhere worldwide. It's not a claim that we make lightly but one that we wholeheartedly believe to be correct.

 

A unique opportunity indeed - don't miss it because you will never get another!

 

VALUE

 

Low mileage. history. condition. and originality will contribute greatly to the value of any classic. This one not only ticks all these boxes but excels in all of these categories.

 

Classic Fiat 500 have are extremely popular and hold their value well.

 

Autobianchi. Bianchina Giardiniera's are so. so much rarer and sought after. Consequently the investment potential is so much greater.

 

We have only been able to find two others offered for sale in the UK both requiring full and total restoration. The most expensive of these is offered at £5. 00. You could spend upwards of £20. 00 on professional restoration costs.

 

We have found one for sale in Marseille in the south of France. link below.

 

http://www. gtc-collection-cars. com/historic-cars-for-sale/144-1975-fiat-500-bianchina-giardiniera. html

 

This car is on sale for 20. 00 Euro. We cannot imagine that this car can be superior in any way to RAU 971M. However our reserve for what is almost certainly the best original. lowest mileage example available is set at thousand's of UK pounds. not Euros. below the one on offer in Marseille and would seem an absoloute bargain by comparison.

 

VIEWING

 

We will. of course. be happy for serious buyers to view the car by appointment and with reasonable notice. although we will always do our best to accommodate. prior to auction end. However. please bear in mind the expected final price above.

 

If you are unsure of being able to acquire the relevant funds equal to the expected final price you should question. for both our sakes. whether you should come to view.

 

Please be sure that this is the vehicle that you want before you bid. If you have any doubt come and see it first or at the very least telephone. However. if you require someone else to sanction the purchase. i. e. your wife's permission. please get it before you come to view.

 

If you do want to view or ask for any more information please call David. on 07771 567567 or e-mail via ebay. We really are very approachable and welcome any questions about the vehicle.

 

ORIGINAL V RESTORED - OUR VIEW

 

We endeavour. on the whole. to offer original. genuine. exceptionally low mileage and unrestored cars from the 1970. and 1980. .

 

Almost all cars from this era have had a little paint rectification carried out at some time during their 20-40 years. However there is. of course. a huge difference between rectification of paint work and total vehicle restoration.

 

Paint rectification at the factory post production line or. indeed. by the supplying dealer was common in the 70's and 80's when most cars were sprayed by hand as opposed to today's automated processes. From time to time we will offer a car that has had some paint rectification for these reasons or perhaps to localised areas following parking mishaps etcetera.

 

Occasionally we may offer a car that has had rather more paint rectification although we will always endeavour to make this known in the description. It will be very rare however for us to offer a car that has had a full restoration. and only then if we have satisfied ourselves of the quality of the work.

 

It is becoming extremely difficult to obtain an unrestored 20-40 year old car. By and large they were just not built to last in the 70's and 80's. However. if you do find an original example that's survived the chances are that. if looked after. it should last for many more years. after all it will only have lasted this long because it will have had little use and been extraordinarily well cared for previously. The same. unfortunately. is far less likely to be able to be said for a car that has under gone renovation.

 

We think that you simply cannot beat a straight original example of any item. There is a school of thought that believes that if you take something apart and then put it back together you are just recreating that item in a false attempt to make it as it was in its former glory. and that no matter how well a vehicle has been restored it can only be original once.

 

Whereas we know that many restorations are done to the highest standards we believe that there are far more that are not. Who really knows what skulduggery may lie beneath a car that has possibly covered hundreds of thousands of miles then been restored at least one time or maybe even more than once! In our view if a car has required restoration then by default it must have become worn out. tired and have most probably been neglected.

 

It is interesting to note that of late we have sold some of our finest original quality cars to some of that particular Marques top and best known restorers - not for them to restore but for them to keep! Even they know. in their hearts. that one thing is for sure - a car that has been the subject of restoration. no matter how good will. almost with out exception. lack the spirit and soul of an original example and probably cost 3 times as much to complete and be worth less than half the an original example when done!

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

By Bidding on any item it will be deemed that you have read understood and accept these conditions.

 

ZERO RATED BIDDERS OR BIDDERS WITH A RATING OF LESS THAN 10. please read the conditions that apply to you below.

 

Contacts. location

The vehicle is in South West Oxfordshire. 15 minutes from the A34 at Oxford (M40 from London or Birmingham) or 20 minutes from Swindon East Junction of the M4.

Mobile 07771 567567

E-mail via ebay

Before you enter a bid

Please be sure that this is the vehicle that you want. that you are happy with and understand the description. that you understand the rules of ebay and that you have read these terms and conditions.

 

Description

We have included a full and honest description and photographs which many people will feel happy to buy from. The description endeavours to be as informative as practically possible but is not. obviously. meticulous with regard to every individual part or area of the vehicle and is intended to represent an overview and not a thorough condition assessment report.

 

Please remember that all vehicles deteriorate as soon as they leave the factory. just some to a lesser degree than others. This is not a new vehicle and common sense. giving consideration to its age and mileage. should prevail. Any references to condition should be taken in the context of age of vehicle.

 

If you require any further information regarding specific areas please just ask. BEFORE YOU BID.

 

We are a business selling on ebay it is important to us to maintain our good seller's reputation and ensure that our customers are completely satisfied. Therefore it is positively not in our interest to deliberately miss-describe the vehicle.

 

Finally so confident are we that our description is a fair representation of the vehicle that if. on collection. it is not and there are obvious serious imperfections or serious faults. not previously mentioned. we will not expect you to proceed. However please do not interpret this genuine good practice offer as a way out of not paying. or paying less for a vehicle that you have legally bought for the amount bid at the auction end.

Photographs

All photographs in the listing are taken by us using a digital camera. They are recent and are often taken just hours before the listing is posted. Other shots may be available please just ask and let us have an email address. All photographs are copyrighted and may not be used elsewhere without our express written permission.

Test drive

You will be able to take the vehicle on an accompanied test drive before you pay for it but will only be able to not proceed if you find a major mechanical fault that has not been mentioned in the description.

When you bid

By bidding you are agreeing and legally bound. if your bid is highest and the reserve is reached. to unconditionally buy the vehicle for the price that you have bid.

Negative. zero rated. international bidders or bidders with a score of less than 10 please call or e-mail before you bid with a landline number and address. We accept that just because you don't have a high score does not mean that you are not serious. but we do need to check you are real. that you clearly understand the rules and your intentions are good-you hear of some horrible tales!.

 

Far be it for us to tell you how to go about bidding. However. over the years we have had some bitterly disappointed bidders who placed there best and final bid just to late.

 

We understand why you might leave your bidding until the final few seconds however please at least make sure that you are signed in to your ebay account. one of our customers recently missed a car that he had searched for for years because when he went to bid he had been logged out and had not left himself time to re enter his password!

 

It may be to your advantage to take independent advice on the best way to bid. You are welcome to call 07771 567567 after the auction end should your bid not have been successful.

Reserve and buy it now price

As is the way with auctions. we will not normally divulge the reserve price or issue a buy it now price. if we do from time to time we will state so in the description.

 

In fairness to all bidders we will not end the auction early and let it run its course. except on the very rear occasion of the vehicle being advertised elsewhere.

 

Please. do not ask what the reserve is set at we really are unable to say any more about the reserve than we already have under the value section.

 

 

If you are the winner

The Successful bidder should contact us within 12 hours of auction end. Preferably  by email. via ebay. and by telephone 07771 567567.

 

An invoice will be issued for the full amount via ebay with instructions how to pay the deposit via Paypal.

 

All buyers must pay a £200 Deposit via Paypal or cash within 24 hours of end of auction.

Payment

In all cases the balances. after the £200 deposit above or any additional deposit below. must be paid within 7 days of auction end.

 

The total Balance to be paid by Cash U. K pounds on collection or bank transfer prior to collection. We will transfer the money back should we not proceed for misrepresentation reasons as outlined above.

 

If you are unable to provide the above we will require an additional deposit of 10% of the sale price paid in cash or via Paypal within 48 hours of the auction end. You will then be able to give us a personal cheque or bankers draft provided they are drawn on a U. K bank either of these will need to be cleared and funds drawn against them prior to the vehicle being released. Sorry there can be no exceptions and deposits are not refundable.

Collection

The vehicle must be collected within 7 days of auction end unless otherwise agreed. We will assist you with collection where we can and will email full directions on how to find us.

Please give us as much notice of required collection time and date as possible. If you are delayed its not normally a problem please just let us know. We would ask that you ring us when you are an hour or so away from us.

We reserve the right to charge for storage if the vehicle is not collected within 7 days of auction end.

We do check our vehicles over before sale but please remember that the vehicles we sell often are many years old and some of them have had none or very little recent use. Occasionally things can unexpectedly go wrong. Allow plenty of time for your journey. especially if you are catching a ferry and it may be a good idea to have AA or RAC cover. this is not a reflection on this particular car just good general advice for any older/classic car user.

 

We are happy to pickup the buyer from Oxford or Swindon Station; delivery of the vehicle or collection of the buyer from elsewhere may be possible at extra cost – just ask. We will always try to be flexible and help where we can

 

AIRPORTS. Provided that the reserve price has been met we do offer a collection service from Birmingham. Luton. Heathrow or Bristol Airports. subject to suitable times. We charge a nominal £25. 00 for this. For costs where the reserve has not been met or other locations please enquire.

 

Delivery. we do have a tow vehicle and are able to hire a trailer big enough for most cars. please enquire.

General

Non paying bidders will be reported to ebay and may be referred to an international debt collection agency.

 

The successful bidder should ensure that the vehicle is insured by them at auction end.

 

Bidders from outside the U. K. welcome but please call before bidding.

 

Descriptions. terms conditions and pictures used in this listing are copyrighted and my not be used without the authors express permission.

 

Items bought at auction do not have warranty.

 

You will not be disappointed with this vehicle so please start your bidding now- best of Luck.

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