1972 Fiat 500L

Highlights

Long ownership from a private collection
Rare UK supplied RHD model
Blue tartan upholstery
Upgraded to a 700cc Abarth engine
Higher trim Lusso model
Custom Fiat indoor car cover

The Appeal

This little Fiat presents in wonderful condition having had a fair amount of love poured into it over its lifetime. This is a UK supplied RHD model as mentioned, being a less common example, the car was also believed to have been red originally but the colour change to dark blue has given the little Fiat a more mature and sophisticated feel.

Coupled to the exterior refreshes is that upgraded Abarth 700cc engine which sounds fantastic and is reported to go just as well.

The current seller purchased the car from a dealership who took on the car from a private collection, it then sat in the garage under its indoor car cover and before any real use could be seen out of it the seller sadly passed so the Fiat is being sold as part of their estate.

The History and Paperwork

MOT history for the following years with invoices and test certificates, 1997, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017
V5C present
Receipt for a new rear chrome number plate light to replace the current one which has a mark
Fuel pump receipt from 2020
Repeat invoices from ‘Kevin Vernon’ in Market Drayton for various maintenance and parts, believed to be when the car was part of the large collection, most notably for a suspension refresh in 2020
Specification of the Abarth engine via fax from 1999 for a total cost of £2000
Also present is a Haynes manual for the model, a printed parts catalogue and a brochure
The Fiat also comes with a custom indoor car cover

The Interior

Wonderful blue Tartan seat upholstery, matched to black carpet and blue Abarth branded mats
Wood trimmed Nardi steering wheel gives the interior a period sporty feel
Classic, simple black dashboard with horizontal speedometer reading 59466 miles
Rear seat bench trimmed in the same Tartan pattern
Front luggage space (frunk) houses fuel tank, Fiat branded tool kit, spare wheel and space for a handbag, everything the about town fashionista would need
Everything reported to be working in this simple but charming interior
Fold back fabric roof is also in great condition and works as intended

The Exterior

Respray is in good condition, there are a few marks and dings here and there around the body which are detailed in the photo gallery, but overall, the car is in very good visual condition with the dark blue complimenting the chrome highlights and the silver wheels beautifully
Chrome trim with the Lusso chrome bumper overriders is all in good condition with minimal pitting or marks
Wheels are 12” Lesmo style with 135R12 65T ‘Road Champ’ tyres which look to have had minimal miles with plenty of tread
All electrics are believed to be working on the exterior and the trim associated with the lights and windows are again in good condition
Rear number plate cover was believed to be chrome and polished which is why there is a black mark, a new one is supplied with the car
The underside looks to be in good condition also with what looks to be an application of underseal and it’s nice to see jacking points that aren’t crushed also
There looks to be some fluid leaks from around the steering rack area as shown in the photo gallery but there are no reports of any issues with the steering

The Mechanics

Visually the engine and bay look fantastic, and the car was eager to start once the choke had been adjusted properly and it idled smoothly for the duration
The engine is a 700cc Abarth unit believed to have been built in April 1994 by ‘Middle Barton’ with the following spec – Abarth steel camshaft, 32” Webber, large capacity alloy sump, new bearings, lightened flywheel and uprated clutch, skimmed and ported head with new valves and guides
The seller reports that the car has not done many miles since purchase, but the car drove the short distance from the garage to the photoshoot location with no issues
There was no signs of fluid leaks or exposed wires, damaged pipework, ancillaries etc and as you can see from the photos the engine looked to be in good health visually

Summary

This is a wonderful little car with buckets of charm, much like the classic minis it shines wherever it goes, garnering admiring glances and fostering nostalgic conversation from lucky passers-by.

The dark blue paintwork is a great choice we think with a deep shine to really show off the chrome Lusso additions and those great, unusual looking wheels. Add to that the half-length fabric fold back sunroof and this little car amounts to far more than the sum of its parts. The exterior is just half of it though, coupled with that fantastically stylish interior topping of this car’s appeal.

The popularity of the new Fiat 500 is hardly surprising as they’ve stayed true to the original recipe and if the new cars have even an ounce of charm and appeal as they’re older sibling then that’s set to continue.

This example has clearly been loved during it’s time and its now ready to get back out on the road with a new owner.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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