Latest little gem

[GDPR]

Thought some of you might like to have a peek at the latest vehicle to pass by my toolbox....

This little gem is a 1963 FIAT 1100D, that belongs to one of our more prominent club members, which he's had for a few years. The body has been very nicely restored, and has a smart original interior, but was feeling a bit unloved in the mechanical department, so when the owner found out I worked in a Fiat Main Dealer for 3 years in the 70s, and not only knew the model but had taken spanners to them, I was co-opted into recommissioning it.

After a visit to the house and getting the engine running a few weeks ago, it was delivered to me on Sunday. A few hours work unsiezing the brakes and sorting out some loose suspension, 4 new tyres, tuning the engine and changing the oil and filter etc, yesterday afternoon at 4pm the man from VOSA, he say YES!! and a shiny new MOT certificate was issued.......

Happy Kryten, and happy owner....

If anyone should know of anywhere that deals with early FIAT or Italian cars so I can find the spares to rebuild the bottom end of the engine as it is a little bit tired and noisy... exchange crank maybe or even a supplier of bearing shells so that a can get a local grind, and a timing chain, can you please give me a shout - any info would be good, even if it is vague it may help me track down the elusive bits...

[Rouseyboy]

Wow - that little car brings back memories for me.
My Dad had one in a minty green colour.

very nice.

... Dave

[martin]

Sorry Russ, I can't help. What a lovely little car, I fancied them in period but couldn't afford, good on you bringing it back to life ! Martin.

[jleyton]

Hi Russ,

I know a few of the people at Fiat's head office. Whilst they are primarily concerned with selling new cars they may just have an idea of someone who could help you.

I've sent them an email and, if I get any news, I'll let you know.

Cheers

Julian

[GDPR]

That would be fabulous Julian - hopefully Fiat still have an eye to their heritage and have a little stash of bits somewhere to keep some of the less glamorous models alive...

The problem, and also the joy of baby Fiats is they live to be thrashed within an inch of their lives

[jleyton]

Hi Russ,

The Fiat guys have just come back to me and suggested contacting Peter Jones [peter227jones@btinternet.com] . Apparently he's the former chairman of Fiat Owners Club, and they reckon he’ll be the best person to point you in the right direction.

I know from experience that, with the commercial pressure on car companies, so much of their effort has to focus on shifting new metal (to keep the company in business) that, sadly, sometimes they just can't devote much of their resources to their past vehicles.

I hope this guy will be able to help you.

Cheers

Julian

[GDPR]

Thanks very much Julian..... by the way I will be staying down your way for a few days in August - maybe we can get that beer finally....

[milothedog]

Thanks very much Julian..... by the way I will be staying down your way for a few days in August - maybe we can get that beer finally....

Hi Russ, have a look here http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1078/28906.php and give them a ring, it's just up the road from my office. I used them quite a lot a few years back as I bought my son a Cinquecento as a first car. there was nothing they couldn't get including odd bit's of trim. very friendly helpful people as well.

Ian.

[jleyton]

Thanks very much Julian..... by the way I will be staying down your way for a few days in August - maybe we can get that beer finally....

Hi Russ,

Yep, that would be good if we can. I'll send you a PM later. Good luck with the Fiat.

Cheers

Julian

[Kevin Garrod]

Russ, You just reminded me here is a pic of my colleague's Dino. It's had a respray and the wheels refurbed since this photo was taken. Quite a rare car now.
DINO 004_edited.jpg

[aerosilver]

Reminds me of my Dad's first car - a Simca 1000. Drum brakes all rounds, rear engined, and transverse leaf spring front suspension. Made for an interesting driving experience!

Before buying the Stag, my aunt had a Fiat 850 sport followed by a 124 sport - both cracking looking cars.

Bob.

[martin]

Reminds me of my Dad's first car - a Simca 1000. Drum brakes all rounds, rear engined, and transverse leaf spring front suspension. Made for an interesting driving experience!

Before buying the Stag, my aunt had a Fiat 850 sport followed by a 124 sport - both cracking looking cars.

Bob.

The 124 Sport was a beast, especially the 1800, the only handling limitation was your own courage, revved it's wassnames off, discs all round, twin cam, wonderful car ! Sadly they all returned to the red dust from whence they came, if some had survived they would be much sought after. Good luck with that precious 1100 Russ. Martin.

[GDPR]

I think you have the wrong 124 coupe as "the beast" - the 1800cc CC coupe (73 on) was a bit top heavy and the engine only had a pissy twin choke Weber.... the one you want is the BC coupe (71-73) with the 1608cc twin cam and a pair of downdraught 40 IDFs - that would rev so hard you could reverse the earths spin, and the handling was only a problem if you didn't rotate the tyres VERY regularly - the tread profile on the front would take a curve, giving you heaavy steering and understeer - cured by swapping front to back. I loved my BC coupe, but ferrous oxide loved it more......

The 850 coupe (and all 850).... that was a strange beast indeed - did you know when they designed the transaxle, for it was rear engined ala Skoda, that they finalised design and made the first batch and came up with the archetypal Italian gearbox 1 forward and 4 reverse.... no one thought about the rotation of the engine as it was being fitted in backwards, and the coupe if I remember was to use the 127's 903cc lump..... anyway, they had a think, chewed some pasta and thought if we regrind the cam, and reverse the oil pump and distributor skew gears, plus turn the pistons and rods 180 degrees in the bore, we can run the engine backwards - that'll be cheaper than redesigning the transaxle.....

Bloody Italians

Oh and Kevin - the Dino - that is pure class and the prettiest thing Fiat ever made - front end from a 124 BC coupe and the arse of an angel......

[Andy Rundell]

Nice one Russ - good to hear that the magic-dust has worked - Good Job Sir !

[martin]

I think you have the wrong 124 coupe as "the beast" - the 1800cc CC coupe (73 on) was a bit top heavy and the engine only had a pissy twin choke Weber.... the one you want is the BC coupe (71-73) with the 1608cc twin cam and a pair of downdraught 40 IDFs - that would rev so hard you could reverse the earths spin, and the handling was only a problem if you didn't rotate the tyres VERY regularly - the tread profile on the front would take a curve, giving you heaavy steering and understeer - cured by swapping front to back. I loved my BC coupe, but ferrous oxide loved it more......

The 850 coupe (and all 850).... that was a strange beast indeed - did you know when they designed the transaxle, for it was rear engined ala Skoda, that they finalised design and made the first batch and came up with the archetypal Italian gearbox 1 forward and 4 reverse.... no one thought about the rotation of the engine as it was being fitted in backwards, and the coupe if I remember was to use the 127's 903cc lump..... anyway, they had a think, chewed some pasta and thought if we regrind the cam, and reverse the oil pump and distributor skew gears, plus turn the pistons and rods 180 degrees in the bore, we can run the engine backwards - that'll be cheaper than redesigning the transaxle.....

Bloody Italians

Oh and Kevin - the Dino - that is pure class and the prettiest thing Fiat ever made - front end from a 124 BC coupe and the arse of an angel......

All very well but it had a Ferrari engine. The one I was most familiar with was the 124 ST, I assumed the coupe had the same running gear, it certainly drove like it, I can only speak for the road cars. Everything from that era that Fiat turned out was wonderful in it's own way, the 850 coupe had looks to die for, the 500 was an absolute hoot, the 850 was streets ahead of the mini in almost every respect, the 128 would do the ton on an 1100cc engine, whatever the makers said, the base 124 had discs all round and a twin choke carb etc etc. Loved 'em all till they turned red and fell in a heap. Martin.