1969 Fiat 500 L

Registration No: FWB 918H
Chassis No: 110F2267565
MOT: Exempt

• Comprehensively restored between 2010 and 2016
• Invoices on file relating to almost £9,500 worth of restoration expenditure
• A resident of the United Kingdom since 1999 and in the vendor's ownership since 2010
• Offered with a history file

Introduced in July 1957, the 'Nuova 500' utilised a different mechanical layout to its 'Topolino' predecessor. Still driving the back wheels, its rear-mounted, two-cylinder, air-cooled, OHV engine was a first for Fiat. Mated to a four-speed crash gearbox, the unit was continually developed with later versions extracting 17.5 bhp from their 499.5cc. With a kerbweight of little more than 500kgs, this modest output still reputedly translated into a 61mph top speed. Equipped with all round independent suspension and hydraulic drum brakes, the 500 in all its guises was a hoot to drive remaining a favourite with racers like Michael Schumacher and Jean Alesi. Launched in 1968, the 'L' or Lusso (luxury) version featured the same front-hinged doors and revised transmission as its 'F' forebear but added various internal and external trim upgrades (among them the famous 'bull bars').

A notably early L, manufactured new in 1969, the example offered benefits from the larger 499.5cc engine and is understood to have been supplied new to Italy, residing there until arriving on Britain’s shores in 1999. Registered ‘FWB 918H’, the 500 was in the ownership of one custodian from 1999 until acquisition by the vendor in 2010. By the time of the vendor's purchase, the Fiat was in a poor state and required a full restoration, which was embarked upon in the same year and took the subsequent six years to complete. The work completed during the restoration included a comprehensive engine and gearbox overhaul, a bare metal bodywork renovation and repaint in White, an interior refresh with full retrimming and a new sunroof, a new clutch, a new fuel tank, a new fuel pump, renewed starting equipment, braking and suspension overhauls, and re-chroming, amongst other expenditure.

Returned to the road in 2016, the Fiat then served as a carriage for the vendor's daughter on her wedding day. Seeing sparing use otherwise due to other classics and an interest in motor rallying, it is now offered for auction having covered minimal mileage since the restoration. Supplied with a history file that contains a large selection of invoices relating to the restoration and illustrating almost £9,500 worth of expenditure, several images of the restoration work, and a current V5C document showing just two former keepers.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452