Description
Fiat 500D ‘Trasformabile’ UK RHD Classic / 1963 / Fully Restored To Near Concourse Condition – Exceptional Value @ £24, 495.
This highly desirable genuine UK Right Hand Drive ‘D’ model (the most sort after & collectable model in the classic 500 range) has the very rare ‘suicide doors’, a full length convertible sunshine roof - ‘trasformabile’, ‘round speedo’ & has been expertly restored on a no expense spared basis - In fact it has it all! As they say as rare as hen’s teeth…..
It’s an original RHD UK example first registered here from new on 23rd October 1963 & has a fantastic registration number 8335 KX which is transferable. It has been with the current engineer owner whom resides in beautiful Wakefield since 20th December 2013 – Possibly a Christmas present to himself!
His aim was to make this little car more usable & has fitted a fully rebuilt 650cc motor mated to a fully synchromesh gear box. We believe he has succeeded in his aim.
The story begins when the car was purchased by the current owner as a rolling restored shell in 2013. Luckily he had the requisite skills to complete the project & do a full nut & bolt pain staking restoration to near concourse standard, which he has only recently completed! A true labour of love…
This included: Complete strip to bare metal shell, the structure & floors were examined & new floors had been correctly fitted along with new doors & a front nose panel. The new owner fitted a new engine lid & boot lid however. Then after bare metaling the external surfaces, the little chap was fully primed & flatted back twice & then received a glorious coat of Fiat Ivory Code 235. A beautiful correct period colour that really sparkles in the sun. The cockpit was also fully painted, the boot void, engine compartment & even the underside & arches are body coloured. In fact it looks as good underneath as it does on the top!
A complete new wiring loom was installed after the paintwork was completed along with new switch gear, full new ignition, premium battery, wiper motor, linkage & chrome arms., The original interior was also sent to the trimmer & fully and expertly retrimmed in green piped cream. The engine (650cc unit) was fully stripped & rebuilt with new pistons, barrels, big end, con rod shells & a new gasket set. All the tin ware was powder coated & the block correctly cleaned prior to being refitted back up with all new seals, gaskets, along with all new consumables such as a Valeo clutch, recon starter motor, fuel pump, alternator belt, coil, new Webber carb, plugs, fuel filter, air filter & all new fuel copper lines. In fact there are pages of receipts for every hose, clip, washer grommet & such like.
The gear box was also fully rebuilt along with all other mechanical items. All consumables were indeed replaced, the accelerator, clutch, starter & choke cables were replaced, the petrol tank was replaced with a new one including all sundries. A complete door card set & all interior trim was renewed, including the full length sunroof which was replaced with a new mohair one & new roof frame, other items of interior trim were refurbished or replaced as required. The lights were refurbished all rubber items were replaced including the door seals, windscreen & quarter light rubbers, new glass was also fitted as required including the front windscreen. The suspension system was also fully replaced with a new front leaf spring, springs & shock absorbers etc. A new exhaust was fitted, in fact every mechanical item was either refurbished or replaced.
The brakes were naturally all overhauled with virtually every component being replaced from the master cylinder down to the brake shoes.
The steering system was also fully overhauled with most components being replaced, a new steering idler kit fitted along with track rod ends & ties etc.
The bumpers & brackets were replaced, new wing mirror fitted, new front premium moustache, correct ally moulding kit, fully shot blasted & refurbished original Fiat steel wheels, new inner tubes, and new Pirelli matching tyres with white wall bands fitted.
All parts came from Ricambio International Ltd & are fully invoiced in the impressive history file. In fact there are pages & pages of invoices as one would image & they total circa £8, 314. 00 Also in the history file are all the pictures taken at key stages showing the extensive works undertaken. No stories here, you can see exactly what you are buying!
This truly impressive example was reading 750 miles on the Speedo when we collected it, approximately 100 of which were test miles after restoration. but the speedo was very erratic in terms of the mph reading & could not be fixed, so we had to replace with a refurbished MPH speedo which was reading 74, 500 at the time of fitting. So the mileage is still 750 miles & not 74, 500! (Diary note fort new owner).
Since being in our possession we have been meticulous in our further preparation prior to offering this exception example to the market by undertaking the following works: Conducted a full mop & polish & final Swissvax treatment to the external paintwork. The rain water should it ever see any will just roll off now. Sent the vehicle to our auto-electrician to remedy some electrical abnormalities, Manufactured & fitted a new grey mohair trasformabile roof. We have the black one that came with the car should you prefer, but we feel the grey mohair roof looks exceptional. Repainted the 5No. steel wheels in light Ivory – Both sides. Fitted a replacement rear window ¼ glass, new correct 6 piece door card set in green to match the interior trim. Fitted a new sun visors set, Fitted an Italian ‘D’ decal set along with Italian number plate surrounds & ACI decal. Fitted a set of aluminium lower side body blades, premium heat shield pad, new correct D ashtray along with the speedo mentioned. We also refinished the binnacle & housing in the correct colour along with fitting a new dash pad. The car has been fully serviced & checked over. Had a new Italian full over mat set fitted, new matching passenger mirror fitted. New driver’s door lock & 2 keys, key ring, new spare wheel, fully refurbished correct Jack & straps along with a tool kit. We have also fitted a new period correct boot rack & wicker hamper basket for 4 people. So in effect a further £2, 000 has been spent on this example bringing the cost to near £10, 000 in parts alone. When you factor the labour costs, not to mention the car itself, it far exceeds the price asked. A bargain in fact in anyone’s books.
The car looks much as new and is no doubt as good as when it left the factory in 1963,. It’s probably the best example in Europe for the price asked, has been correctly restored by people who know the marquee. This is a collector’s opportunity and a superb investment. It has only driven a nominal mileage since its full restoration!
Fiat Ivory 235 –paintwork with a new green / cram interior, including matching door cards & a new grey full length mohair convertible sunshine roof, with matching 500D belt to hold back & associated clips.
The vehicle comes with a history file & contains the UK V5C, HPI Check report – Clear, Fresh current UK MOT, Numerous invoices from Ricambio International, Copious photos showing car during the restoration process in Wakefield along with some other invoices.
Fresh MOT with NO advisories. MOT exempt however.
Fully UK registered with V5C & historic road tax applicable (Free). What with circa £100 annual insurance & ULEZ compliant, they don’t come much cheaper to own & run!
Keys on Fiat 500 key ring, Original 500D tool kit – Not complete, correct original 500D jack & spare wheel with tyre.
Fully refurbished Fiat steel wheels with the correct matching Pirelli tyres fitted with white wall bands.
Period boot rack with wicker hamper for 4 persons fitted.
Our Fiats come recommended by a leading authority – Ricambio International Ltd. I actually have a light blue 1964 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 & with such low mileage & ownership – 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 UK MOT’d, serviced & detailed. Don’t confuse them with other cars on the internet which have had dubious restorations & are offered with a low asking price. 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 in the first instance via the yellow 'Email' box or call the number shown for a chat.
