Description
Fiat 500D ‘Trasformabile’ Classic / 1964 LHD Italian – Fully Restored & A Movie Star! £19, 495.
This splendid restored example was manufactured in 1964 at the Fiat Mirafiori plant in Turin & is 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’ & original matching numbers 110D engine. In fact it has it all!
We have just purchased this splendid example back from its knowledgeable collector owner located in the north of England. He purchased it from us in May 2023 to use for shows & charity events due to its film credentials – More of this below! He even purchased a bespoke trailer for it, so he could tow it behind his VW day van. He cherished it whilst he was the custodian & kept it covered with soft cotton blankets whilst stored in his home garage along with his other prized possessions. He only sold it back to us due to his Daughters upcoming wedding later this year, which as Father of the bride I assume he was paying for!
What’s more, we previously sold this charming vehicle to the production company filming the latest Indiana Jones Movie – The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull – The fifth & final incarnation of the epic movie series in June 2021 along with a second car. Both vehicles were taken back to Italy & spent 5 months on the Island of Sicily filming. So Harrison Ford has driven this example many times & the vehicle has a scene in the movie. In the impressive history file that accompanies the car are all the paperwork from Pinewood studios. Along with images of it at the filming location decked out in flowers & ribbons for the scene. So this car will be for ever membered & loved for this scene in the movie! You can genuinely buy a piece of movie history. (The Italian number plates shown in the boot picture, were returned to the production company & do not come with the car).
It’s an original LHD example believed first registered in Pavia. Pavia is a city south of Milan & it’s known for its Certosa di Pavia, which is a Renaissance monastery with beautiful sculptural & fresco decorations. In the city centre is the ever popular centuries old University of Pavia which gives the city a great young vibrant feel.
It was located & purchased via a specialist classic car agent by a British businessman residing mostly in Spain for his wife as a summer run around for their villa. It was transported straight from Italy to the Villa & in fact it was stored with their Mk 1 Mini & early series 1 Land Rover & oh yes their sailing boat!
This stunning example then came to the UK late in 2019 to be sold on behalf of the owner by a central London well known classic car dealer for considerably more than the current asking price. Indeed having dealt with the owner previously on another classic car, a deal was struck that allowed us to make the improvements the car deserved & still be highly competitive on the asking price.
We then sold the car to its first doting UK owner in January 2020 & then purchased it back a year & a half later due to a personal health matter & resold it to the production company at Pinewood Studios in June 2021. They allowed us to buy it back after the last cut was filmed & editing completed in February 2023. We subsequently sold it to its current owner as noted in May2023. Now it back with us & are offering to the market for 4th time.
This truly exceptional vehicle was restored in Italy to very high UK standard in 2017 on a no expense spared basis including the complete floor pans.
In fact the vehicle has only done a very low mileage since, so it’s fair to say the owner’s wife, the first UK owner & The Production company didn’t use it much! It’s probably the best you will find in the most desirable colour combination & at the most competitive price.
It presents as a professional UK quality restoration. It is a testament to the quality & attention to detail on what appears a no expense spared restoration.
On close examination in 2020 on our ramps it appeared everything had been reconditioned or replaced correctly as required. So in brief the Italian restoration included: Complete strip to shell, the structure was found sound, so only new genuine front & rear floor pans & a front panel were required. The original 110D motor was overhauled with new gaskets & decoking etc, along with the gear box being reconditioned. The vehicle was fully rewired, the handbrake cable was changed, clutch replaced, the petrol tank was fully refurbished and flushed. The interior was also fully and expertly retimed in the original colours along with the complete matching door card set, new floor coverings with built in mats & all other items of interior trim were refurbished or replaced. The correct aluminium surrounds were machine polished, rubber items were replaced including the door seals. New bushes, struts. A rebuilt starter motor & a new exhaust & brackets, in fact most mechanical items were either refurbished or replaced.
The bumpers & brackets were replaced, the original steel wheels were refurbished & a front disc brakes conversion with red sports callipers fitted. The car was fully painted whilst stripped to bare shell (Inside, outside) at this time. In fact it looks as good underneath as it does on the top - It’s just beautiful underneath, find another with an undercarriage like this!
This truly impressive example has done a very modest mileage since the restoration!
Since being in our possession late in 2019, we were meticulous in our further preparation prior to offering this exceptional example to the market by undertaking the following works: Undertook a full external glass out repaint to near concours standards in our favourite PPG paint. Fitted a new long dark red mohair sunroof made by our associated trimmer. Removed the engine & gear box & fitted a new spigot bush & seal, along with a premium 3 piece clutch set & serviced the gear box whilst out on the bench. Prepared & repainted the spare wheel. Fixed the window wipers & indicators. Fixed the horn, fitted a new Italian number plate holder, full knee roll kit, new ignition lock set, new drivers side lockable door handle. A premium Varta battery, cabin vent pipes, D/ S rear light separating plate, sun visors, roof hold back kit & associated leather belt. Fitted the correct D engine decal set, new exhaust manifolds, spare tyre strap, premium heat shield pad, wheel wrench, gear lever shroud set, adjusted the steering geometry. Conducted a multipoint check, replaced the fuel with £25 of new super unleaded, checked the carb & set the timing. Adjusted & cleaned the brakes & gave the cheeky little chap a full service, just to be sure! Fitted an ACI club sticker, Fiat keyring, it even has fitted a period luggage rack & wicker basket.
When back in our possession in the summer of 2021, we undertook the following works as requested & paid for by the film company producer. Fitted a new tan piped cream full interior, including matching door cards & fitted a new full length grey convertible sunshine roof, with matching 500D belt to hold back & associated clips along with a classic ivory D steering wheel & fitted a refurbished set of 500D steel wheels. Along with various other smaller items to match the other 500D we sold them to the film producer’s specification. Both cars had to match & look identical for the film. When the vehicle was delivered to the production company at Pinewood studios in June 2021, the production company undertook a colour change from dark blue to Fiat Aquamarine (Azzurro 433). This was done to a professional UK standard & looks spending in the summer sunshine.
Now back in our possession for the 3rd time, we have just serviced the little chap, filled the fuel tank with £25 of premium unleaded, fitted a new front Italian number plate holder & number plate, new decal set, white heat shield pad. Alternator belt, spark plug shrouds, new white wall spats, air filter pipe clips, fitted a new Webber carb & set it all up, Given it an oil change, new fuel & air filters along with new steering idler bushes & once again given it a forensic valet & Swizzvax coating.
The UK V5C accompanies the vehicle along copies of previous UK V5C’s, with 3 past UK MOT certificates, past insurance papers, DVLA V948 Certificate along with DVLA first UK registration papers, parts invoices, invoices for the production companies works & images of the vehicle being painted by us in 2019, along with images with the London classic dealer & originally in Spain.
This is one of the most correctly restored 500D’s we have offered. It looks & feels period correct & well restored. As the restorer had excellent Fiat 500 knowledge & understanding of the correct parts & original detailing, this restored example is in an exceptional state.
The car looks pretty much ‘as new’ & is no doubt as good as when it left the factory in 1964. It has been correctly restored by people who know the marquee. This is a collector’s opportunity and a superb investment and has only driven a very low mileage since its restoration & hence this cheeky chappy is being offered for sale for the 4th time on our shores.
This beautiful example is UK registered, so it’s ready to enjoy for some summer frolics.
Fiat Aquamarine paintwork (Azzurro 433) with a great tan piped cream interior, including matching door cards & a new full length grey convertible sunshine roof, with matching 500D belt to hold back & associated clips.
MOT exempt, Road Tax except in the UK & London ULEZ compliant! What with circa £125 insurance per annum, running cost don’t come any cheaper!
Keys on Fiat key ring, original Fiat jack, brace, spare wheel with good tyre.
Period boot rack with wicker basket.
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 in the first instance via the yellow 'Email' box or call the number shown for a chat.
