Fiat - 500 R - NO RESERVE - 1974





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Description from the seller
GENERAL:
A very good Fiat 500 R, offered at auction with no reserve price (NO RESERVE). The car represents an absolute "turnkey" option for collectors or enthusiasts, as it is fully ready for immediate use and requires no mechanical or cosmetic work.
The car was assembled at the historic Sicilfiat plant in Termini Imerese, Sicily, and is currently located in Messina. Thanks to the island's warm, dry climate and consistent indoor garage storage, the chassis has been solidly preserved. The vehicle is strictly correct and features its original, matching *first-equipment* engine type.
BODYWORK & PAINTWORK:
The car underwent a major, deep comprehensive restoration about fifteen years ago, during which a complete color change was performed. The original factory yellow was replaced with an elegant white livery using the official, classic Fiat color code Bianco 233. Since then, the car has always been kept indoors in a private garage, perfectly preserving its condition over time. It has recently received a professional detailing and a full body polish to eliminate minor imperfections from aging and to give the paint maximum shine.
For purists, it is of fundamental value that the car retains most of its original sheet metal and first-equipment door handles. Only the front nose panel was completely replaced with a new one during the older restoration. All bodywork repairs were done entirely on metal to ensure a robust structural foundation. The front headlights and side indicators are period-original and well-preserved. The rear light clusters and the license plate light were recently replaced with new ones to guarantee safety and a fresh appearance.
The remaining period exterior components, such as the bumpers and headlight bezels, show a charming, typical patina of time but are in good general condition. The floors are in all probability the original first-equipment ones, as proven by traces of the original factory yellow paint preserved under the interior carpet. These floors underwent targeted conservative repairs during the old restoration with welded metal sheet inserts. The underside structure is absolutely solid, sound, and free from any perforating corrosion.
TECHNICAL:
The original 594 cc engine (type 126A5.000) is paired with its original Weber 24 IMB carburetor and is in superlative condition. A complete service has just been performed, including engine oil replacement, new filters, and a new timing chain. Thanks to this specific 126-derived engine configuration, the car boasts high low-end torque, making it responsive, smooth, and highly suitable for handling modern traffic or long-distance trips.
The suspension also benefits from the factory-reinforced front end specific to the R series. The mechanics boast a deep overhaul of the transmission, with the gearbox, clutch, and axle shafts fully revised to new. Unique to this late-series 1974 example is the factory-synchronized gearbox on second, third, and fourth gears. Because Fiat unified part of the assembly lines with the newly born 126 during this final production phase, these final 500 R models were equipped with synchronized gears, eliminating the need for double-clutching (*doppietta*) on downshifts.
The engine bay is tidy, painted in matching color, and features the correct black plastic air filter duct and original galvanized hardware finish. The rear hood was recently completed with a new, correct vintage green sound-insulating panel, and the engine bay contains exact reproductions of the original vintage stickers. The front end has been fully greased via graphite treatment. The car rides on four Pirelli Cinturato tires featuring the classic period tread design with excellent remaining tread. A practical battery cutoff switch has also been installed for garage storage.
INTERIOR:
The interior has been completely rebuilt using upholstery ordered directly from a specialized company in Turin, guaranteeing historical accuracy. The seats and side panels are configured in the correct specification for the R version, featuring strictly smooth panels without transverse stitching, executed in red vipla with white piping. This creates the iconic and highly sought-after White/Red color combination.
The cabin is completed by the original black two-spoke steering wheel, the original black plastic center tunnel with a storage compartment, and the highly desirable geometric two-tone rubber mats. On the dashboard, the original light-faced Veglia Borletti instrument currently shows 1,362 km. As this is a five-digit vintage instrument, the total original mileage cannot be officially verified. As a refined detail, the glass features a faithful reproduction of the period factory break-in speed sticker (*Velocità di Rodaggio*), and a historic Oliofiat VS 20 lubricant card is correctly placed under the dashboard.
DOCUMENTS:
The car will be delivered with a freshly performed periodic Italian ministerial inspection (*fresh collaudo*) completed just before shipment. This tested and ready-to-use status drastically simplifies and speeds up the bureaucratic process for registration abroad. Having already passed its technical tests in Italy, European buyers will find it highly facilitated to request the issuance of new license plates in their home country simply by presenting the export deregistration document and the provided sales invoice to local authorities.
PICK-UP:
The car is currently located in Messina, Sicily. Complete post-sale assistance is offered regarding logistics and transport management. International transport with specialized car carriers can be directly organized and coordinated throughout Europe, with shipping costs to be agreed upon after the auction closes and borne by the buyer. Complete administrative handling of the deregistration for export and the preparation of the necessary documentation is also fully taken care of, with the paperwork costs to be borne by the buyer.
OTHER INFORMATION:
The front trunk is complete and in perfect order. During the painting and restoration carried out fifteen years ago, a light layer of protective body-colored undercoating was applied to the inner panels to acoustically insulate the compartment and preserve the sheet metal. The trunk is regularly equipped with its original horizontal black barrel tank and the visible brake fluid reservoir.
A detail of immense value and exclusivity for purists is the spare wheel, which is complete with its original elastic fixing strap and fitted with a premium and now very rare Pirelli Cinturato tire. This completes a rare matching set of five identical Pirelli tires. Finally, the car is equipped with a rare original period side steering lock with a dedicated key located on the left of the steering wheel, while the ignition key is faithfully positioned in the center area of the dashboard per the original factory configuration.
GENERAL:
A very good Fiat 500 R, offered at auction with no reserve price (NO RESERVE). The car represents an absolute "turnkey" option for collectors or enthusiasts, as it is fully ready for immediate use and requires no mechanical or cosmetic work.
The car was assembled at the historic Sicilfiat plant in Termini Imerese, Sicily, and is currently located in Messina. Thanks to the island's warm, dry climate and consistent indoor garage storage, the chassis has been solidly preserved. The vehicle is strictly correct and features its original, matching *first-equipment* engine type.
BODYWORK & PAINTWORK:
The car underwent a major, deep comprehensive restoration about fifteen years ago, during which a complete color change was performed. The original factory yellow was replaced with an elegant white livery using the official, classic Fiat color code Bianco 233. Since then, the car has always been kept indoors in a private garage, perfectly preserving its condition over time. It has recently received a professional detailing and a full body polish to eliminate minor imperfections from aging and to give the paint maximum shine.
For purists, it is of fundamental value that the car retains most of its original sheet metal and first-equipment door handles. Only the front nose panel was completely replaced with a new one during the older restoration. All bodywork repairs were done entirely on metal to ensure a robust structural foundation. The front headlights and side indicators are period-original and well-preserved. The rear light clusters and the license plate light were recently replaced with new ones to guarantee safety and a fresh appearance.
The remaining period exterior components, such as the bumpers and headlight bezels, show a charming, typical patina of time but are in good general condition. The floors are in all probability the original first-equipment ones, as proven by traces of the original factory yellow paint preserved under the interior carpet. These floors underwent targeted conservative repairs during the old restoration with welded metal sheet inserts. The underside structure is absolutely solid, sound, and free from any perforating corrosion.
TECHNICAL:
The original 594 cc engine (type 126A5.000) is paired with its original Weber 24 IMB carburetor and is in superlative condition. A complete service has just been performed, including engine oil replacement, new filters, and a new timing chain. Thanks to this specific 126-derived engine configuration, the car boasts high low-end torque, making it responsive, smooth, and highly suitable for handling modern traffic or long-distance trips.
The suspension also benefits from the factory-reinforced front end specific to the R series. The mechanics boast a deep overhaul of the transmission, with the gearbox, clutch, and axle shafts fully revised to new. Unique to this late-series 1974 example is the factory-synchronized gearbox on second, third, and fourth gears. Because Fiat unified part of the assembly lines with the newly born 126 during this final production phase, these final 500 R models were equipped with synchronized gears, eliminating the need for double-clutching (*doppietta*) on downshifts.
The engine bay is tidy, painted in matching color, and features the correct black plastic air filter duct and original galvanized hardware finish. The rear hood was recently completed with a new, correct vintage green sound-insulating panel, and the engine bay contains exact reproductions of the original vintage stickers. The front end has been fully greased via graphite treatment. The car rides on four Pirelli Cinturato tires featuring the classic period tread design with excellent remaining tread. A practical battery cutoff switch has also been installed for garage storage.
INTERIOR:
The interior has been completely rebuilt using upholstery ordered directly from a specialized company in Turin, guaranteeing historical accuracy. The seats and side panels are configured in the correct specification for the R version, featuring strictly smooth panels without transverse stitching, executed in red vipla with white piping. This creates the iconic and highly sought-after White/Red color combination.
The cabin is completed by the original black two-spoke steering wheel, the original black plastic center tunnel with a storage compartment, and the highly desirable geometric two-tone rubber mats. On the dashboard, the original light-faced Veglia Borletti instrument currently shows 1,362 km. As this is a five-digit vintage instrument, the total original mileage cannot be officially verified. As a refined detail, the glass features a faithful reproduction of the period factory break-in speed sticker (*Velocità di Rodaggio*), and a historic Oliofiat VS 20 lubricant card is correctly placed under the dashboard.
DOCUMENTS:
The car will be delivered with a freshly performed periodic Italian ministerial inspection (*fresh collaudo*) completed just before shipment. This tested and ready-to-use status drastically simplifies and speeds up the bureaucratic process for registration abroad. Having already passed its technical tests in Italy, European buyers will find it highly facilitated to request the issuance of new license plates in their home country simply by presenting the export deregistration document and the provided sales invoice to local authorities.
PICK-UP:
The car is currently located in Messina, Sicily. Complete post-sale assistance is offered regarding logistics and transport management. International transport with specialized car carriers can be directly organized and coordinated throughout Europe, with shipping costs to be agreed upon after the auction closes and borne by the buyer. Complete administrative handling of the deregistration for export and the preparation of the necessary documentation is also fully taken care of, with the paperwork costs to be borne by the buyer.
OTHER INFORMATION:
The front trunk is complete and in perfect order. During the painting and restoration carried out fifteen years ago, a light layer of protective body-colored undercoating was applied to the inner panels to acoustically insulate the compartment and preserve the sheet metal. The trunk is regularly equipped with its original horizontal black barrel tank and the visible brake fluid reservoir.
A detail of immense value and exclusivity for purists is the spare wheel, which is complete with its original elastic fixing strap and fitted with a premium and now very rare Pirelli Cinturato tire. This completes a rare matching set of five identical Pirelli tires. Finally, the car is equipped with a rare original period side steering lock with a dedicated key located on the left of the steering wheel, while the ignition key is faithfully positioned in the center area of the dashboard per the original factory configuration.
Details
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Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
