Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Jason · Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 623 Location: Todmorden, Lancs.

ok so not strictly a classic but Rick said I was ok to start a new thread on things I'm doing to it over the rest of the year.

so its a 1995 Fiat cinquecento, its yellow at the moment (respray planned in the summer) and the reason for this thread is that I'm doing some restoration work on it over the year.

over the last three weeks, I've bought, had shotblasted and painted a fresh rear axle and today for a kick off to the thread, its been fitted.

so here we go with the pics......

8am this morning, got car on axle stands (under the body) and got the rear wheels off....

to find..... one rusty old axle

after dropping the fuel tank out, brake cables and pipes disconnected we had it out...

the chassis rails which the axle bolts to weren't too bad or should I say, not as bad as I was expecting, just a couple of bits of rust to sand and treat....

so after treating the rust, I undersealed the entire rear end of the car...

then, brought the new axle out of the shed....comparison pics...

new axle put in place (note, I had to alter my chipboard axle supports, made to support the axle as not to scratch it!)

and bolted into position...

and by 5pm tonight , the fuel tank had been refitted, brake cables reattached, brake pipes bled and the car was back on its wheels....

so that was todays mamoth task....phew, just sat here with a brew now Laughing

more jobs to do at a later date, and the thread will be updated when they're done.
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clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

Well done. You put in some shift there. Colwyn 500 will be impressed. Nice wee car. Cool

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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22437 Location: UK

That'll be a good example to refer to of restoring a car, one sub-component at a time, rather than diving in and taking the entire thing to pieces!

RJ
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colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Jason · Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 623 Location: Todmorden, Lancs.

thanks for the comments

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

IT'S GOT TO STAY YELLOW!

I had an oil leak, it was a rusty sump. You can buy them but I did mine with fibreglass.

There was something that used to weep oil near the top somewhere around the coils. My old brain can't quite remember what it was.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

Jason · Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 623 Location: Todmorden, Lancs.

well, after doing about 75 miles over the weekend (to work and back) everything is great with the new back axle.

this weeks plans are to refurb the alloy wheels, which I started yesterday, I'll get some pics up later.

I've ordered my paint for the respray too......Fiat broom yellow Cool

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"people with money buy a Rolls Royce, people with taste buy an Alvis".

Scotty · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 883

My other half got one of these when they first came out and I loved it, it was almost as good as a Mini Cooper - huge fun.

Only down side was the specially made Pirellis fitted as original equipment wore out in an instant. I think we were getting something like 6 / 7 thousand miles per set!

You're doing a great job - and I think you should keep it the bright yellow, it's easier to find in a car park. Very Happy

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Jason, well done with the paint choice. (you had no option really!)

I had problems initially with front tyre wear. I think the tracking is easily messed up and found it paid dividends to have the tracking set-up by a really good local garage.

Ellis · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 7:34 pm Post subject:

The Cinquecento was a super little car!

I thought it's successor - the Seicento - wasn't half as good looking.
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victor 101 · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 446 Location: East Yorkshire

You never cease to amaze me Jason, the speed you work and what you accomplish in all weather, and in the open. Well done.

pogo · Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 51 Location: Limousin. France

Lovely little modern classic.

Ive had a couple of the Lancia Y10's, and like the look of them. Always planned to have one of the fiats, preferably the sporting one.Looks like a great car to bomb around the deserted French countryside.

Have you thought about painting one door red? http://www.yorkvision.co.uk/lifestyle/start-the-car/

Paul
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Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4755 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
How much commonality is there between the Y10 and the Cinq...?
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Cluley · Joined: 24 Oct 2011 Posts: 3

Current cars 1923 Cluley 10/20 1924 Trojan Utility 1931 Morris Cowley Commercial Travellers Saloon 1989 Citroen 2CV 1993 Fiat Uno Start

I had a 1997 Cinquecento S as a company car that I used for travel to site as a London building surveyor. It was a super little car and I loved it. Bodywork was galvanised so there was no rust and it had a chain cam engine.

Eventually it failed the MoT on non-working brake lights, failed exhaust and it also had worn CV joints. Stupid managers scrapped it but car was good for many years further use.

I left their employ and bought a Uno (1993) which is another brilliant car but less reliable and far more rust prone so now very rarely seen. Hoping to keep it going but spares now a problem due to scarcity.