Does anyone know about Fiat Bambina 500 (old model)?

[Bill Douglas]

Hi Guys.

Fiat Bambinas have always given me a bit of a giggle. And maybe it was watching Drew Pritchard's classic cars (UK television BBC) last night made me look again.

Porsche man Ruben said he liked them because they were fairly much agricultural level technology and very easy to work on. I don't really want another project but for some reason I like the little Bambinas. Especially original looking ones. Not ones that try to be something they aren't.

This one has subtle engine mods and the engine is so fresh it would see me out. What are your thoughts? https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/fiat/500/listing/5735577367

[Alan A]

If it’s not rusty AF buy it for the fun of puttering around.

[sc_rufctr]

I owned one starting 1989 and sold it after my divorce in 2002.
Great car but mine needed lots of work. Parts including body panels are available and are not expensive.

Mechanically they're really easy but rust can be an issue with these cars. Make sure you check the floor and sills very carefully.

Here's my mom next the car. I had just repainted the car in Ford Midnight Blue. These photos were taken in the driveway of my Army Married Quarter circa 1989.

[sc_rufctr]

Also... They have a "centrifugal oil filter". Fantastic and simple but don't neglect it.

[Cajundaddy]

They are adorable little clown cars from a bygone era. I guess it depends on what you want it for. They essentially have a 2 cylinder 500cc lawnmower engine that produces 15hp on a good day so for any sort of transportation they would be pretty miserable. Still, there is an entertainment factor that cannot be denied.

[Bill Douglas]

Thanks Guys!

It's interesting you had one Peter.

It's the uncomplicated-ness of it that appeals to me. I think... the one I'm looking at is rust free. But that's one of the things I'll look at.

I rather like the idea of something that putts around town and squeaks into small parks easily. Where I live, Wellington NZ, some of the streets were designed for a horse and cart every few hours, and haven't improved much. A wee bit like Southern Italy in that way. So a baby sized car could be handy at times LOL I think it's the air cooled aspect and the cute body shape that I like too.

[sc_rufctr]

Do you remember the movie "The Big Blue" (1988).

- It's a story about the world of Free Diving.

[Bill Douglas]

Haha, I remember that well.

In Southern Italy I saw a few Fiat 500s that were not that different to the one in the movie. So it really does happen LOL

[sc_rufctr]

This may or may not be a deal breaker...

They have a crash gear box (no synchromesh) however I have seen them converted to a later gearbox. The plus side is that they're really easy to work on and last a long time. Also a lot of fun once you get used to double de-clutching.

[Bill Douglas]

I used to be a truck driver so I'm OK with non-synchro gearboxes. I'd prefer not, but can live with them if I have to. Easy to work on appeals to me.

I have a thing about Karmann Ghias but I think if I got one my life would revolve around getting it going properly and fixing it all the time. The Bambina seems more simple.

[sc_rufctr]

A Karmann Ghia would be great but they're silly money in Aus (60k+ for a good one). I'd expect much the same in New Zealand.

Have you priced a good classic Alfa Romeo lately? ...

[Bill Douglas]

Cars are a bit cheaper here, but I'd imagine a nice one would be around that sort of money.

Regarding the Alfa Romeo, no no no. I am not going make my life a misery LOL

[sc_rufctr]

hahaha...

[oldE]

Check out Harry's Garage. He has one and last year a specialist shop in London did a major upgrade on the engine.

[Bill Douglas]

Thanks Les. That one sprung up while I was looking at random Fiat 500 youtubes. It sounds like if you do the engine upgrade and get a five speed gearbox from a Fiat 126, you can (almost) cruise at highway speeds.

[rfuerst911sc]

Throw a junkyard LS in it and have one heck of a sleeper

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Throw a junkyard LS in it and have one heck of a sleeper

Drew Pritchard BBC Salvage Hunter - classic cars was going to put a Ducati motorbike engine in his. The car only weighs about 500kg (about 1,100lb) so it doesn't take much to push it along.

The one I'm curious about has more or less had the Abarth mod done to it.

[sc_rufctr]

...

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

From "The Troubles" (1980s).

[Bill Douglas]

Bastards.

[David]

We took a wine tour in Tuscany several years ago where we drove their 500's. Yes, driving and wine tour. Pretty sure that wouldn't happen in Italy today! I doubt we got over 35 mph and I don't think I wanted to go any faster in it.