1968 FIAT 500L - ABARTH TRIBUTE

KEY FACTS

• An exciting tribute to the Abarth-prepared Fiat 500s of the 1960s; this compact classic is a smartly presented ‘pocket rocket’.
• At the rear is now a 652cc parallel-twin engine from a Fiat 126, fully rebuilt at a leading specialist, coupled to a four-speed manual transmission with higher final drive.
• Initially sold within its home market of Italy to a school teacher, this 500L was acquired by a resident of Monaco in 2000, and was subsequently restored. It was imported to the UK and re-registered in 2008.
• More recently, it has been treated to extensive refurbishment plus the engine upgrade at Fiat-Abarth specialist Middle Barton Garage, with receipts for around £20,000.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• Finished in the vibrant Rosso Monza hue, this Fiat has had the original bumper overriders removed for a cleaner look, and has been fitted with Abarth badging. Its soft top was replaced during the restoration in 2000.
• It rides on genuine 12-inch Ruote Borrani wire wheels - not to be confused with cheap replicas - and which are shod in 145/70R12 Falken Sincera tyres.
• Inside, there is now a pair of retro-styled bucket seats, trimmed in black leather and corduroy cloth, and equipped with Sabelt harnesses. It has also been fitted with a full roll cage.
• A genuine Abarth sports steering wheel and an updated set of Smiths instruments sit ahead of the driver, featuring a speedometer that reads all the way to 140mph - and the car is said to be capable of 100mph.
• The character of the car is now largely defined by the notable engine swap. Per the receipts from Middle Barton Garage, it is understood to be fitted with a rebuilt 652cc engine from a Fiat 126 with an uprated camshaft and big valve head upgrade. It also has a genuine Abarth 595/695 style oil sump. The gearbox was rebuilt and this Abarth tribute features a higher final drive.
• As part of the upgrades, the Fiat was also equipped with a disc brake conversion and uprated suspension.
• Accompanying the car is a copy of a prior Monaco paperwork, along with numerous invoices from Middle Barton Garage spanning the last 13 years, and totalling around £20,000.

CONDITION

• There is no known prior bodywork damage.
• Its Rosso Monza paintwork is reported to present very well, with only a few minor blemishes, including small touched-in chips as shown in the gallery.
• The upholstery is generally in great shape, though the driver’s seat base is stained. The rest of the interior is in good order, with no known faults to any switchgear.
• No electrical faults have been detected.
• The most recent MOT test was on 18 January 2017 at an indicated 1,106 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories. It is understood to be exempt from mandatory MOT testing on the basis of age.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The most recent scheduled maintenance at Middle Barton Garage in December 2015, approximately 600 miles ago. This comprised a basic service as well as a new starter motor.
• Previous services also took place at Middle Barton Garage in January 2014, September 2011, and November 2010.
• In 2008, the car went through a comprehensive upgrade to Abarth tribute specification. The 652cc donor engine was sourced and then fully rebuilt, including new barrels and pistons, an uprated 595/695 camshaft, new main bearings and con-rod bearings, new inlet and exhaust valves, a replacement inlet manifold, and a Dell’Orto carburettor.
• It was also equipped with a Fiat 126 sports exhaust, new clutch assembly, and the Abarth 595/695 oil sump.
• The odometer was reset after the Middle Barton Garage upgrades. Prior to this, the odometer read 23,047 km.

SUMMARY

This Fiat 500L Abarth Tribute is a fantastic custom classic, which has been treated to a notable 652cc engine upgrade, and which features a number of genuine Abarth components. It benefits from a prior restoration 20 years ago, and has evidently been modified to a high standard since then by one of the country’s leading Fiat-Abarth specialists. A fun, fast road car; this handsome homage could also be a great choice for hill climbs and sprints.

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.