Give me the run down on classic Fiat 500s| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

ahutson03 Reader
6/26/12 4:04 p.m.

So as the title states what do you guys have to say about the original Fiat 500? I have a bead on a real nice '73, it's kind of a friend of an acquaintance is interested in selling to the right person kind of situation. The car is immaculate, and I've always wanted one but know next to nothing about them. So what do you guys say?

m4ff3w UltraDork
6/26/12 4:05 p.m.

I have nothing to add except, buy it.

BoxheadTim UberDork
6/26/12 4:22 p.m.

Buy it, then let us know what they're like .

aircooled PowerDork
6/26/12 4:26 p.m.

18hp

Probably best to avoid freeways and hills.

Hungary Bill Reader
6/26/12 4:26 p.m.

I second the "buy it" motion but everything I know about the 500 was aired on the wheeler-dealers episode. But, I may be able to help with car parts if you needed something that could be carried (legally) in checked baggage (I visit a couple times a year to the states)

BoxheadTim UberDork
6/26/12 4:49 p.m.

aircooled wrote: 18hp Probably best to avoid freeways and hills.

They don't exactly weigh a lot...

One common mod in Europe is to drop in the "big block"[1] from the 126 in. There also used to be plenty of tuning parts available and tuned 500s used to be a staple Mafia car in the South.

[1] All of 650cc. Adds almost 50% hp, too, before you start tweaking the engine.

ditchdigger SuperDork
6/26/12 5:22 p.m.

You treat a classic 500 much like you would a moped. The throttle is either wide open or closed. Top speed is in the high 50mph range.

Oh yeah. Ralley it!

93EXCivic UltimaDork
6/26/12 6:07 p.m.

BUY IT!

Then when you get bored, sell it to me!

ddavidv UberDork
6/26/12 6:07 p.m.

They are SLOW. Chicks will dig you though. You'll become friends with a guy named Chris Obert, because he's the only guy who sells parts for them in the US. They are cute, but not as useable as a 600.

Kenny_McCormic New Reader
6/26/12 6:08 p.m.

How tall are you?

ahutson03 Reader
6/26/12 6:10 p.m.

Thanks for all the input, I guess as an old mini guy I've always thought the "so what now?" would be to get something smaller. I'll try to post more info when I actually see the car in person. Does anyone know a good stateside parts vendor. Every google search I do is just new 500 stuff.

mad_machine MegaDork
6/26/12 7:04 p.m.

18hp can feel VERY fast in something that small and light

icaneat50eggs Reader
6/26/12 7:26 p.m.

Go to YouTube and find the one with the s2000 drivetrain

I'm all about crazy drivetrains in underpowered fiats

93EXCivic UltimaDork
6/26/12 9:12 p.m.

Kenny_McCormic wrote: How tall are you?

What is the tallest a person can be and fit in a 500?

icaneat50eggs Reader
6/26/12 9:31 p.m.

5'3"

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/26/12 10:09 p.m.

ditchdigger wrote: You treat a classic 500 much like you would a moped.

That is definitely true. It makes my 998cc Mini Cooper seem like a rocket.

B430 Reader
6/27/12 2:00 a.m.

mad_machine wrote: 18hp can feel VERY fast in something that small and light

Having driven one..... no it doesn't.

aeronca65t Dork
6/27/12 2:42 a.m.

The closest I have to this question is me racing against Alain Raymond's 1964 Fiat Abarth 1000TC GT HERE

Hungary Bill Reader
6/27/12 4:52 a.m.

I also have access to a lot of 126p motors if the swap would be something you were interested in. (I could bring them as far as Jackson, Mississippi)

126p Motor+Transmission: $150

93EXCivic UltimaDork
6/27/12 7:29 a.m.

icaneat50eggs wrote: 5'3"

Really?

I was hoping it would be like a Mini.

ditchdigger SuperDork
6/27/12 8:00 a.m.

At 6 feet even I fit in a 500 with several inches of headroom to spare. Old Fiat sedans have quite tall interiors. There isn't any headliner to get in the way

icaneat50eggs Reader
6/27/12 8:27 a.m.

Inwas kidding with the whole 5'3" thing