1972 FIAT 500L 'LUSSO'

This 1972 Fiat 500L ‘Lusso’ is a delightful example of the characterful city car, presented in excellent condition following a £10,000 restoration. Under the rear engine cover is now the larger 650cc two-cylinder engine from a Fiat 126, which is mated to a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh. The odometer currently indicates 46,557 miles.

As a high-spec ‘Lusso’ model, this 500 features chrome bumper overriders at the front and rear, rectangular tail lights, a horizontal Veglia instrument panel and a half-length canvas roof.

First registered in May 1972, this original UK-market car’s logbook list three prior keepers. Its last owner kept the car from 1985 until 2017, with 25 of those years being spent in dry storage. The seller acquired the car four years ago, and had it fully restored between 2019 and 2020.

During its refurbishment, the car’s doors, sills, front wings, nose section and bonnet were replaced with new panels, and as a result the bodywork is in excellent condition, with no corrosion or damage to speak of. Resprayed in the car’s original hue of Positano Yellow, the paintwork is unmarked, and has a bright and glossy appearance throughout. The brightwork, including the bumpers and trim strips, has been polished to a high shine, and the folding canvas roof is free of any rips, tears or holes. This 500 rides on the correct set of 12-inch steel wheels, which are very smart and feature polished hub caps and whitewall-effect trims.

Moving inside, the cabin is almost entirely original, but has been rejuvenated during the car’s restoration. The seats and door cards are believed to be clad in their factory-fitted black vinyl coverings, and are in great shape, with no substantial wear or marks. Ahead, the dashboard and steering wheel are also thought to be original, and have been carefully cleaned, while all of the carpets have been replaced with new items. The seller is not aware of any faults with the switches or electrical items, and there are no warning lights showing on the dashboard.

The car’s last routine maintenance was carried out in October 2020 by Classic Car Services of Oxford. A post-build inspection following its restoration, this included a ‘spanner check’ of the suspension and steering components, while the engine was serviced, the carburettor was tuned and the brakes were adjusted.

As part of its 2019 restoration, all of the car’s mechanical components were tended to, and either replaced or refreshed as appropriate. This included the fitment of new shock absorbers and rubber bushes, as well as replacement of the brake lines, shoes and the master cylinder. Furthermore, the entire ignition system was renewed, with the distributor cap, ignition coil, points, spark plugs and HT leads being replaced, and with a new OEM carburettor.

While the seller notes that the exhaust is blowing slightly at the connection to the rear of the manifold, this is minor, and they would be willing to arrange to have this repaired at a cost of up to £200.

Although the car is exempt due to its age, its last MOT test was conducted on 1 August 2017 at an indicated 46,446 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories. All four wheels are shod in Debica tyres in size 135/80 R12, which were fitted in October 2020 and have covered only 50 miles to date.

This 500 will be accompanied by its factory jack and wheel brace, as well as its original user manual and receipts for all of its recent maintenance work.

A particularly rare sight due to its right-hand drive configuration, this original UK-market Fiat 500L is a charming example of the iconic Italian city car. Benefitting from a full cosmetic and mechanical restoration and powered by a more capable 650cc engine, this nimble little classic is sure to bring a touch of ‘la dolce vita’ to every journey, whether it’s darting through urban traffic or buzzing along a country road on a hot summer’s day.

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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.