Fiat Cinquecento Sporting project

TrailerBob

After too many years sitting outside my in-laws house, and another 18 months in a turf shed in my yard, I finally got around to moving the Cinquecento into the workshop.



This was my wife's first car back around 2001. For some reason it never got sold when she upgraded (to a puma.. good taste in cars). Although it's suffered some from lying up, it's generally solid, as it was on a hard surface and somewhat sheltered. It will need the obvious fluids filters plugs and belts before I try start it, but it should run. Otherwise a few cosmetic repairs, the worst being the front of the bonnet which the rusty goblin got a hold of. Plan is to get shocks, bushings, brake kit and radiator, then look at the cosmetics. These are getting a bit scarce now, so it's nice to have a low mile, 2 owner example. It's not my first choice of a modern classic, but it has sentimental value.

Be warned, this will take a while, between work and a 4 month old, but I'll keep this updated when I do a bit If anyone's interested.

kev1.3s

Lovely little cars. They are getting a rare sight nowadays

TrailerBob

Yeah, not too many left around. Simple little car so not expecting too many surprises. Needs a windscreen which I might have to look about for, or pick up a donor car if there was a non-runner floating about. Service parts are widely available still.

Normally there would be some sort of 50+ year old tractor sitting in that spot, but I sent one out a few months back and decided it was time to be less agricultural for a while!

TigerTim

Not a big Fiat fan but always had a soft spot for these Cinquecentos. Can't say what but there is something I like about them. On a visit to a local scrapyard a few years back I say 2 of the Sporting model about to be crushed. Disgusted I was!!. Getting very rare now

T.

TrailerBob

I think it's just that they're a fun little car and have a bit of character. Agreed that other Fiats of the era don't do it for me. I've looked about over the years and yellow is the only colour I like!

Mad_Mike

Got one myself back in 2008 with only 12,500 miles on it
Kept it for about 2 or 3 years and sold it on with about 15,000 miles done
Have regretted it ever since

TrailerBob

Well today I took a chance on an unseen ad for a donor car not very far from me.... Not a sporting, but an sx model. Bonnet and windscreen perfect, which I need for the yellow one, and I'll harvest plenty of other components too.. bit of a shame, because it's a very straight little car, but I'm being ruthless.

galwaytt

I bought one of them, new, in Sporting Yellow, in 1996. I even ordered the factory Abarth rear spoiler.

Naturally the red seatbelts were worth an extra 5bhp.

Always regretted selling it. 96 G 2281 if you trip over it