1973 Fiat 500 R Microcar -- Like NEW -- Completely Restored

1973 Fiat 500 Standard Description

For sale is a 1973 Fiat 500 Model R VIN 5112103. I purchased this car in 2011 from a Vespa mechanic who brought it over from Italy in 1997. I personally restored the car from 2012 to Dec 2017, and went over every inch of the mechanicals and body. I had previously restored a Nash Metropolitan, and a BMW Isetta with the same dedication – which we still own. My wife and I go out on runs together to get coffee. This car is fun to drive, and is very reliable. Can that be said of those “all original” (ie 50 year old) cars, or ones that mainly get a cosmetic restoration? Improvements such as front disc brakes, 4 speed synchronized transmission, electronic ignition, and electric fuel pump keep it running like a more modern vehicle. It has been a labor of love, but it is time to pass it on to someone else to appreciate and enjoy. It will then give me a little more space in my 2 car garage.

I have taken everything apart and have either rebuilt, replaced with new, or upgraded during the 5 year restoration. The end result is very close to essentially being a new car – that is from 1973. We have put on 1,500 km since I finished it. The long list of restoration items: 498 cc engine rebuild (cylinders bored, new: pistons, valves, camshaft, and bearings, polished crankshaft, machined flywheel), NEW: coil, carburetor, clutch, fuel lines, electric fuel pump, electronic ignition, brake lines and hoses, front disc brake conversion, brake master cylinder, rear shoes and wheel cylinders, cables – clutch, starter, choke, accelerator, speedometer, battery, emergency brake; shocks, engine and trans mounts, tie rods, headlights, tail lights, signals, front windshield, horn, side mirrors, and electrical harness – whew! Items that were cleaned and rebuilt: starter, generator, 4 speed synchronized transmission, gas tank lined, rear view mirror, steering wheel, instrument gauge, fuse box, and windshield wiper motor.

The body was taken down to bare metal, and corrosion was repaired. It was then painted by a body shop that had done my other microcars. I coated the inside and underside with POR-15, and applied HushMat sound deadening material to the interior and door panels. I installed the molded floor interior, along with new black and yellow Fiat upholstery, and shoulder type seat belts for the front seats. This car has the older, classic style Veglia metric gauge, along with the metal dash board. It has a clean California title in my name. The gallery has a picture of mostly new extra parts from the restoration, plus there is a restoration shop manual, illustrated parts lists, and the original unrestored jack for the car. A short YouTube video of driving the car can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz6gBUzjPvM

Thanks for viewing!