Description
FIAT 1500 BERLINA [ABARTH Tipo CONVERSION]
The Fiat 1500 is rare, currently there are 4 on offer in mainland Europe at prices around 20K EURO, for the good ones
However THIS car is extreemly rare, [Hens teeth someone said], it being an Abarth type conversion.
In the early 1980's this car was converted by the Abarth Dealer [I understand in Sciacca Sicily], it was upgraded from a 1500 to a Twin Cam Lampredi engine mated to a 5 speed gearbox
At the same time the electrics were converted to 'Relays' apparently an Abarth fauvoured mod.
This Fiat was then imported to the UK and used for a while on it's Italian registration, it was maintained at Radbourne Racing in London [Fiat Abarth Specialits], and was UK registered when I purchased it in May 2010, I have been it's only UK owner
Since owning the car it has done various classic car events and classic Car tours, [see pix] however used very sparingly.
Upon my purchase in 2010 it needed sorting,
New front Wings
New Clutch
Brake pads and Discs
The Engine at that point was checked and tuned by GUY CROFT in Lincoln, [Plaque in engine bay]
I used the car regularily as above until Covid arrived.
Upon the arrival of Covid i decided that it was the right time to actually restore the Fiat, so various parts were sourced [mainly from Italy and Germany], the work was then entrusted to a Car restoration Company in Fifeshire [I worked in Scotland at that time].
The fiat had a full stip down, and has now resulted in a Fiat with no filler
The following were all replaced.
New cills
New Drivers Door
New Rear Doors
New Bonnet
New Back Panels [upper & lower]
Some Welding
It was a full window out retoration and resprayed in it's original Blue, however with a white roof
and rebuilt with new window rubbers and boot rubber.
When it returned from the body shop restoration, the following was done locally
New Brakes ... Shoes/ Pads/ discs/ 132 Calipers/ Braided Hoses
New Brake Master cylinder
New fuel Pump
New Coil
New Plugs/ Points/ condenser [all Genuine Magneti Marelli]
New Ignition Leads
New Steering Bushes
New Track Rods/ Ends
New Propshaft Centre Bearing
New S/ S Exhaust system
4 New Tyres on it's Genuine Minilite wheels
Also
Just had a carb/ fuel line clean through & new filtersSo to sum up
The car is LEFT HAND DRIVE
My Fiat is very much loved and is a massive part of the family.
Whereever it goes it recieves attention, people take photos as we are driving along.
If you enjoy Classic Car Shows you will almost certainly be the only 1500 there, and 100% in this condition and spec as i understand it is the only one in the UK.
The Abarth type Conversion was only ever carried out in Italy.
So Pricing.
The last 1500 sold in the UK for about £10K.
This should be much more but in all honesty I am not sure where it should be.
The Restoration as outlined above has cost around 15, 550 UK£
However I have priced it at £12, 350
Also just to mention all the parts that have been used in the restoration are New/ New Old Stock, most parts can be obtained from the EU, however there are a couple of suppliers I use in the UK
Of course it is 62 years old, it is ULEZ Free, and the insurance last year was £118, Road Tax is free, I am very interested in where it is going, but if it doesn't sell it will stay in it's de-humidified Man Cave... as said earlier it is a much loved motor car.
Also the Mileage is in KM's but I have no idea how many times it has been round the clock,
Finally, at some point it has had a spare fuel tank [5 Gal approx], mounted in the boot, this has it's own pump, that pump the contents directly into the main fuel tank.
The Front Seats are useable and, although I find them comfy, a new keeper may want to replace them, so this has been allowed for in the pricing.
Thanks For reading, any queastions please don't hesitate to askask
