Fiat 500F

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Those of you with good memories will look at this zany Nuova Cinquecento and remember the 1996 Volkswagen Golf Harlequin Edition. The rest of you can look it up on Giggle.

Our vendor – an otherwise sensitive and sober fellow – created this all by himself and for his own amusement (which is why there are no invoices to accompany it).

As well as its coat of many colours, this 1967 LHD Fiat 500F has also had: new floors, inner and outer sills, rear quarter panels (not just repair sections), inner rear wings, front wings, bonnet and stainless steel bumpers. All rust sections were cut out and replaced and all the box sections were treated with Terosan WX215 wax oil.

All of the brake system has been renewed, including the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, and hoses. The steering has new kingpins and bushes and all the suspension silentbloc bushes have been replaced.

The engine is a later 650cc twin which has had new barrels, pistons, Nardi high-lift cam, re-worked head with new valves, guides, seats and springs. It will run on unleaded fuel. The crankshaft has been reground, with new shell-bearings, a lightweight re-faced flywheel and new clutch pressure plate fitted. The whole crank assembly has been dynamically balanced – and that makes a huge difference on this upright parallel twin engine.

The gearbox was overhauled and new diff bearings fitted along with stronger drive shafts and new seals and gaiters. The car also has a reconditioned generator and starter motor, new fuel pump and new exhaust manifold.

To sum up: not just a pretty face. This is a Fiat 500 that is a little bit different in so many ways, goes better than they ever did new, and must be an absolute hoot to drive. If you want a colourful, head-turning bundle of fun from Italy this is probably the best value example you will find.