Description
Fiat 500D ‘Trasformabile’ Classic 1964 / RHD / Restored By UK Specialist & Stunning! POA.
After an unusually busy January & February, we are looking to replace our current stock of LHD or RHD Fiat 500D, 500N or RHD 500F models. If you have one you are thinking of selling, please let us know. We pay sensible prices for sensible cars & will collect from you at a convenient time. We are not however looking for restoration projects! Please note this car advertised has now been sold.
This splendid restored example was manufactured in 1964 at the Fiat Mirafiori plant in Turin & dispatched in RHD form to New Zealand where it was first registered. It’s the highly desirable ‘D’ model (the most sort after & collectable model in the classic Nuova 500 range) it has the very rare ‘suicide doors’, ‘trasformabile’ long sunshine roof, ‘round speedo’ - In fact it has it all!
It’s an original 1964 RHD example, first registered in New Zealand, where it remained well cared for until its importation to the UK in August 2019, by a Wimbledon based specialist. The NZ RHD model is the same specification as the UK model with the RHD speedo etc, but as we have personally imported over 10 RHD NZ cars they seem to fair a lot better than a similar aged UK variant, this stunning example is no exception.
On close examination on our ramps this stunning example seems to be mostly original in structure & thus it is credible that the 53, 900 miles indicated is correct, although naturally not warranted. It appears that the vehicle must have been garage kept as the underside looks true to form & only the paintwork had been refinished although not to a high UK standard.
Not much had been done to the vehicle since importation, although it has been garage stored, so on our purchase & on full examination we undertook the following works to a high UK standard which are now finally completed. The process & key stages were all photographed & these have been colour printed for the impressive history file which accompanies this most impressive vehicle.
We embarked on this most painstaking cosmetic restoration commencing in May 2022 & have literally now just been completed this stunning vehicle. We undertook the works in house to show standard. Basically everything has been overhauled, tested or replaced if required. So in brief: Complete strip to bare shell & a full assessment of the body shell was undertaken. No new metal was required which was a testament to the way the car had been stored & cared for in NZ.
The engine was removed along with the gear box & both were bench tested. They were both in great order & only required new gaskets, sundries & the like. The original white paintwork was stripped back externally to bare metal, so we knew what we were working with. The car was then fully primed & painted whilst stripped to bare shell (Inside, outside, engine bay & boot void) at this time, in the period shade of Fiat Azzurro Chiaro 415 (Light Blue) that you see today. In fact it looks as good underneath as it does on the top, as the underside was also fully prepared & given a light coat of Wurth under seal, so it lasts a further 60 years.
The handbrake cable was changed, all pedals overhauled, the petrol tank was fully refurbished, flushed & painted along with a new sender unit. The interior was also fully and expertly retrimmed to match the existing period correct factory interior in tan, piped cream along with the complete door card set & all interior trim was renewed, including the sunroof & roof frame. All other items of interior trim were refurbished or replaced, including a new set of matching floor coverings & a great set of tan rubber floor mats to finish. All lights were checked as required & the correct aluminium surrounds were machine polished, the door handles were all polished along with the side blades. All rubber items were replaced as required, including the door seals, complete brake system check over & replacement as required, reconditioned starter & a new exhaust, in fact every mechanical item was refurbished or if that was not possible replaced.
The bumpers, brackets were replaced, new wing mirror fitted, We fully refurbished & painted in cream the original Fiat ‘D’ steel wheels, fitted new matching tyres with new inner tubes & finished off with new white wall bands. Not to mention new hub caps & associated bolts!
As always, we have been meticulous in our preparation prior to offering this exceptional example to the market by fitting the following parts: Fitted a new premium long grey sunroof made by our artisan trimmer & long roof frame finished in cream. New cream sun visors, rear mirror glass, Washer pump. Complete knee roll set, Ignition, Door straps. Fitted a new Webber Carb, Alternator belt, Green HT Leads, Fuel pipe, Exhaust shield, Engine lid strap, Complete flexi duct set, Correct Jack & Wheel brace, Boot mat, New Varta battery, Gear stick gaiter set, Gear knob, Eng top rubber, Lower alloy trim kit, Front nose badge, Window wiper blades. Fitted new period correct wing mirror. Fitted a new premium exhaust, Full Italian clutch kit, Front & rear main oil seals, Gear box oil seal, Points, Thermostat & top cover, Heater tube small & large, Wheel bolts, NGK plugs, Fuel filter. Fitted the correct D engine decal set, spare tyre strap, boot seal, engine rubber seal, heat shield pad, adjusted the steering geometry, supplied a fresh MOT and conducted a multipoint check. Replaced the fuel with £25 of new super unleaded, tuned the new carb & set the timing. Supplied a period 500 Key ring, ACI club sticker. Front & rear period Italian number plate holders. We even fitted a period luggage rack & period picnic hamper for those Summer jaunts. We have also conducted a full forensic valet of the lovely new paintwork using Swissvax products for a top class finish!
The vehicle comes with a nice history file & contains: UK V5C, NZ Certificate of registration, 2 x NZ Warrant of Fitness certificates, Fiat Classiche Certificato Di Origine, , Centro Storico Fiat Letter, Bill of lading,, Fresh current MOT, Specialist parts invoices from Ricambio International Ltd, Copious restoration photos taken by us at all stages & all printed in colour …
The car presents beautifully & not dissimilar to when it originally left the factory in 1964. It’s probably one of the prettiest examples in Europe for the price asked & its RHD!
Fiat Azzurro Chiaro 415 (light blue) paintwork with a tan & cream period correct interior, including matching door cards & a new full length convertible sunshine roof stylishly finished in grey, with matching strap to hold back & associated clips.
MOT exempt in the UK, although we have done a Pre-MOT check for peace of mind - Free historic road tax, but Road Tax except in the UK & London ULEZ compliant! Running cost dont come any cheaper!
Keys on Italian 500 key ring, 500 jack & brace & spare wheel with good tyre.
Fully refurbished Fiat steel wheels, with period correct hub caps & all shod with new Pirelli matching tyres & new white wall spats.
Period boot rack with wicker hamper basket for 4 persons. (Not shown in images as hadn’t arrived in time for the photo shoot!).
These models are ever increasing in value & are a great investment. Our Fiats come recommended by a leading authority on Fiats & parts specialists – Ricambio International Ltd. I actually have a light blue 1965 500D that makes up part of my own private collection & everybody loves it! It always puts a smile on my face, plus you don’t need to worry about the rising petrol prices – Just enjoy!
As we are a Mercedes Pagoda and R107 specialist we are always happy to part exchange one of these type of cars or indeed any classic car of excellent quality, so please don’t miss this most fastidious example of the iconic Fiat 500D. This vehicle is exceptional value, try & find another as original & tax exempt – Please remember ‘you get what you pay for’. Our cars are handpicked by a marquee expert & we turn down 8 or 9 out of every 10 cars offered. The cars we sell, are we believe the best of their type & are here to be viewed & driven in the UK. This takes the gamble out of buying a car direct from Europe sight unseen. Our stock comes fully de-registered from the country of origin with the ACI fee paid, UK MOT’d, test driven, serviced & detailed. Don’t confuse them with other cars on the internet which have had dubious restorations & are offered with a low asking price. We have had 2 clients bring such cars to us recently bought direct from Italy & both were severe MOT failures with a list of faults ranging from no reverse gear to an undercarriage that requires total replacement. You have been warned! There is always a reason why a car is being sold cheaply! Again ‘you get what you pay for’…
This vehicle is we believe the best in Europe don’t settle and ensure you view this stunning example…
More photos available upon request, PX always considered.
Can be viewed at any reasonable time by prior appointment.
We will always buy back cars we have previously sold…
Delivery by road, or packed and shipped, or air freight all possible by arrangement at excellent rates, car is ready to drive away today or be delivered to your door…
We are always keen to purchase Mercedes Benz Pagoda’s (W113) or late 300SL (R107) models, so please give us a call for a friendly chat if you are considering selling, we would love to hear from you. We also hold many parts in stock for the above models & have our own restoration facilities, where we restore these glorious old Mercedes to Stuttgart factory standards.
Please contact us via the yellow 'Message The Seller' tab.
