1925' Fiat 501

I need to downsize my collection of projects, hence this unique and exciting project is now looking for a new custodian.

This car has had thousands of hours and pounds spent on it, and has been fully rebuilt mechanically. It requires various small jobs like cosmetics/paint, dashboard and electrical wiring to complete, and comes with almost all the parts needed to finish.


Restoration Work Completed (photos available showing the work upon request):

Chassis, wheels, new springs, bulkhead, petrol tank etc. professionally blasted, primed, and painted Deep Indian Red and Kosciusko Pebble (chassis would look better black or red!).

Engine fully rebuilt, including re-bore, new pistons, new white metal bearings and crank machining (crank is oil pressure fed). Even the correct replacement gauze for the bottom of the sump was sourced, fitted and lock-wired in place.

New clutch, fully rebuilt gearbox (4-speed right-hand change) with new bearings, rebuilt diff with new bearings and couplings, rebuilt axles, new kingpins, bearings and brake linings etc. Steering box was refurbished, the original steering wheel remaining in excellent condition (same as the ones used on 1920s Alfa Romeo cars).

Radiator professionally restored with correct honeycomb, and has been pressure tested. Currently painted white (not my choice) it is brass underneath, therefore could be polished:

New body (aluminium over lightweight steel frame) based on the original shown in the second photo. New custom seats with upholstery. Note interior panels are made, but in need of lining and fitting. New beaded edge tyres also fitted on the rare larger size wheels. There are also three restored spare wheels on the rear.


The Car Today:

The car is now almost finished having had all the hard and expensive work done, leaving just cosmetic jobs to complete. There are no wings, as I was going to run without, ditto the windscreen (aero screens look far cooler if you want some protection!). Whilst the engine has not yet been run, it is ready to go, as are the drivetrain and brakes, the new clutch also having been set up in readiness for the first start. With new bearings fitted, the car rolls perfectly, and the steering box has been done too so there’s no play. The engine has its original petrol priming taps too, another seriously cool feature!

All the parts to complete are included, such as the stunning original Fiat enamel radiator badge in exquisite condition. Also the original and correct front headlights, sidelights, rear lamp and dash lamp, junction box, cut out etc are there, along with dashboard instrument cluster in excellent working order. Magneti Marelli magneto, carburettor, dashboard choke control, dynamo, starter, starting handle, bonnet catches, running board/step brackets, the Fiat step plates – it’s all there. Even the wheel hub spanner is present and correct, along with period paperwork.


Paperwork:

The project includes a UK old ‘buff’ logbook (first registered in Ireland), with fantastic short registration number comprising letters IC (perfect for an Italian Car!) followed by three numbers. This will need to be claimed back from the DVLA to obtain a modern V5C. With that in mind, I will refrain from publishing the numbers on the internet, but this does match the number stamped on the front of the chassis. The buff logbook correctly states the body correctly as ‘2-seater Touring'. Note the late 1925 registration date would be around the time that front wheel brakes were fitted, so whilst it has its original non-FWB front axle fitted, it would probably be acceptable as ‘Standard’ if the new custodian wished to go along this route (indeed I have one of these rare braked front axles available – see my other eBay auctions).

Also included are an original Fiat Use and Maintenance Manual (in English) and a reprint in Italian. Note this is virtually unmarked and contains a number of excellent illustrations.

A copy of the Veteran & Vintage (UK) August 1965 magazine containing an Elizabeth Junek article, a copy of the original Fiat “spare parts” book, also a copy of Fiat Motors, London, reprints from “the Autocar” December 14th and 21st 1923. All valuable and possibly irreplaceable, reference material and interesting reading!


Price

An Italian dealer had a similar car, finished in Italian red with all the go-faster painted numbers and stickers from events it had never been near. It had a poor body and unknown mechanicals; it sold to a dealer for near its 99,000 Euros asking price. I know of another car built from parts that was sold having completed the Mille Miglia event through a well-known dealer last year for an astonishing £130,000! Given the above, and following the advice from those in the vintage car profession, I believe my car will be realistically worth in the region of £40,000 - £50,000 once completed, depending upon the standard of finish. A significant amount of work has gone in, and it shouldn’t take much effort to complete, plus almost all the parts are included. The new owner may wish to run the car ‘stripped’ without lights, which would save the work on fettling and wiring these, but that’s all for someone else to decide.

I’m therefore asking for £24,000 or near offer for the project as shown and described in this listing. I am looking for a quick sale due to having too many other projects on at the moment.


More photos can be seen via my eBay listing for the project

Note I also have an unrestored 1923 FIAT project for sale with 4-seater touring body - please see adjacent advert. Furthermore, I have a large quantity of FIAT 501 spares available by separate negotiation, including engines, axles, radiator, gearbox, wheels etc.