Description
1972 Fiat 500 L – Italian Import, LHD, Extensively Sorted & Ready to Enjoy
This is a genuine 1972 Fiat 500 L, Italian import and left-hand drive, offered in very good mechanical and structural condition following extensive recent work. This is not a project or recommissioning car, but a properly maintained and steadily improved example that is now driving exactly as a Fiat 500 should.
The car starts easily, idles smoothly and drives confidently through the gears. Any previous running issues have been fully resolved, and the car now delivers consistent performance both cold and hot.
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Engine & Mechanical Condition
The engine has been compression tested and shows 120 psi on both cylinders, wet and dry, confirming a healthy bottom end, good ring seal and well-seating valves. This is an excellent result for a classic air-cooled Fiat 500 engine.
It runs a genuine Weber 26 IMB carburettor, recently removed, cleaned and correctly refitted. A previous fuel delivery issue was traced to a loose main jet in the float bowl, which has now been properly secured and resolved. The engine now pulls cleanly with good throttle response and no hesitation.
For improved reliability, the car has recently been upgraded to electronic ignition (electronic points) and fitted with a new sports ignition coil, eliminating the maintenance and inconsistency of traditional points and condenser systems.
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Fuel, Ignition & Running Gear
Recent work includes:
• New fuel pump
• New fuel tank sender
• New fuel hoses, filters and petrol tap
• New ignition components, spark plugs and leads
The car now runs reliably without cutting out or losing power and is enjoyable to drive in modern traffic for its type.
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Major Recent Mechanical Work (with invoices)
The car has benefited from extensive professional work, including:
• Full mechanical inspection and road testing
• Gearbox removal, reseal, new mounts and fresh oil
• New clutch fitted
• Brake system fully renewed (front and rear cylinders, hoses, shoes and fluid)
• Suspension and steering checked, adjusted and lubricated
• New shock absorber rubbers
• Charging system serviced (dynamo brushes, fan belt renewed)
• Electrical faults resolved, new flasher unit fitted and earths renewed
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Body & Structure
The car has had new floor pans fitted, addressing one of the most important structural areas on a Fiat 500 and adding real long-term value. The body presents well for its age, with good panel alignment, tidy trim and brightwork.
As an Italian-market car, it retains the charm and authenticity buyers look for and, being left-hand drive, feels exactly as originally intended.
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Interior & Comfort
The interior has been recently renewed, including:
• New seat covers
• New carpets
The cabin is clean, tidy and smart, and importantly the heater works, making the car genuinely usable rather than just a fair-weather classic.
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Summary
• 1972 Fiat 500 L
• Italian import, left-hand drive
• New floor pans fitted
• New interior: seat covers and carpets
• Heater in full working order
• Extensive recent mechanical work
• Over £1, 600 in new parts
• Electronic ignition upgrade
• Healthy engine with proven compression
• Starts, drives and stops exactly as it should
This is a well-sorted Fiat 500 that can be enjoyed immediately, with the major work already done. Why You’ll Love It
I bought this Fiat 500 because it represents everything that makes classic motoring special: simplicity, charm, and character, without the intimidation or fragility that can come with larger classics. The Fiat 500 is a car that makes people smile everywhere it goes, and this example does exactly that.
Being an Italian import and left-hand drive, this car feels authentic in a way many UK-market cars don’t. It’s exactly how the Fiat 500 was designed to be driven, and there’s something genuinely special about sitting on the left, hearing the air-cooled twin ticking away behind you, and experiencing the car as it would have been used on Italian streets in the early 1970s. It feels honest and true to its origins.
What really sets this car apart is how sorted it is. So many Fiat 500s on the market look good but still need ongoing mechanical work. This one has had the important jobs done properly. I’ve invested heavily in making it reliable, usable and enjoyable, rather than just cosmetically presentable. The result is a car you can get in, start easily, and actually enjoy driving rather than worrying about.
The engine feels strong and willing, backed up by excellent compression on both cylinders, and it pulls cleanly through the gears. The recent upgrade to electronic ignition transforms the driving experience: it starts more easily, runs more smoothly, and feels far more dependable, especially when warm. Combined with the properly set Weber carburettor and renewed fuel system, the car feels eager and responsive in a way that surprises people who have never driven a well-set-up Fiat 500.
Structurally, the car benefits from new floor pans, which is one of the most important and valuable jobs you can do on a 500. It gives peace of mind, improves rigidity, and means the car is fundamentally solid underneath. This is not a cosmetic patch-up; it’s proper work that adds long-term value.
Inside, the car is a lovely place to be. The interior has been renewed with new seat covers and carpets, making it feel fresh, clean and welcoming. Importantly, the heater works, which might sound small but makes a huge difference to real-world usability. This is a classic you can enjoy on cooler days, not just sunny summer mornings.
What I love most about this car is how it makes every journey feel like an event, even at low speeds. You don’t drive a Fiat 500 to rush — you drive it to enjoy the journey, to wave back at people smiling at you, and to feel connected to the road in a way modern cars simply don’t allow. It’s light, simple, mechanical and engaging, yet easy to live with.
This Fiat 500 would suit someone who wants:
• A genuine, characterful classic with Italian provenance
• A car that has had the expensive and important work done
• Something usable, reliable and enjoyable rather than a constant project
• A classic that draws attention and affection wherever it goes
I’m selling only because circumstances have changed, not because the car needs anything. It’s ready to be enjoyed immediately by the next owner, whether that’s for weekend drives, classic events, or simply owning one of the most iconic small cars ever made.
