1963 Fiat 500 D

Please note: This vehicle is being advertised on behalf of the current registered lady owner – It’s not our own stock & is being sold on a Private Sale basis by her.

This highly desirable ‘D’ model (the most sort after & collectable model in the classic Nuova 500 range has the very rare ‘suicide doors’, matching numbers 110 ‘D’ motor, new full length convertible sunshine roof - ‘trasformabile’ & ‘round speedo’ – Plus its factory Right Hand Drive!  In fact, let’s face it, it’s got it all!

It’s an original 1963 RHD example which we imported in 2021 from Backhouse Bay, Auckland, New Zealand (NZ) from a Fiat enthusiasts private collection.  Indeed this stunning example was imported direct from Turin to New Zealand as a RHD KDK from new. It was fully assembled there & had never left the Island until our purchase.

It underwent a sympathetic body restoration, internal refurbishment, engine & gearbox refresh to bring it up to a good New Zealand standard in circa 2013/14.

This beautiful example was wearing the NZ legal private plate showing ‘ I Luigi’ when we purchased it, which looked absolutely fabulous. We had it transferred off the vehicle prior to leaving NZ, as the owner wanted to keep the number plate as it was worth a small fortune. We have got images of the little Fiat proudly wearing the plate however for the history file & also donning its stick on moustache & sun visor sunglasses! This stunning vehicle is eminently usable as it has its original matching numbers, but overhauled Fiat 110D motor with original (crash) gearbox, it drives & as good as it looks!

On detailed inspection it appears the specialist whom undertook the works embarked on a light sympathetic restoration commencing circa 2013 to a good NZ standard. Basically the key elements been reconditioned or replaced correctly, but in a sympathetic way keeping all original components where possible. Originality was key to the owner’s requirements it seems. He didn’t want a car that was 1963 in name only!

So in brief: Complete strip, panels were in good original unmolested condition & only required light cosmetic metalwork.  The engine was overhauled along with the gear box. The handbrake cable was changed, all pedals restored, the petrol tank was fully refurbished and flushed. The interior was also fully and expertly retrimmed to match the existing period factory interior in ivory, along with the complete door card set. All interior trim was renewed as required, including the sunroof & roof frame. All other items of interior trim were refurbished. All lights were refurbished as required & the correct aluminium surrounds were machine polished, new bushes,  new struts, complete brake system overhaul, reconditioned starter & dynamo, a new exhaust, in fact every mechanical item was refurbished or if that was not possible replaced.

The bumpers & brackets were refinished by a specialist, a new wing mirror fitted, fully shot blasted & refurbished original Fiat steel wheels, new matching tyres fitted. The car was fully primed & painted whilst stripped at this time, in the period shade of Fiat Celeste Chiaro 461 – Light sky blue paintwork that you see today. 

After our importation, when in our possession the first time in February 2021, we were meticulous in our preparation prior to offering this lovely example to the market for the first time by undertaking the following works: A full 3M Machine polish, followed by a full Swissvax treatment & glaze. The NZ paintwork is certainly not perfect, but now acceptable to all but the discerning collector. Our associated trimmer made a fantastic new grey long Trasformabile soft top & we also fitted the correct roof frame & associated hold back clips & even the leather belt to hold it down. We fitted a pair of chrome wing mirrors, new premium Varta battery, new flexi ducts & new premium Italian coil. Fitted a new exhaust system including the hangers along with the correct exhaust heat shield shroud. New air filter box pipework & joints, plugs, hub caps, fuse box cover, HT Leads, fuel filter, full engine service & a brake overhaul. We flushed & tested the system on completion.

We removed the engine & fitted a new original quality Italian 3 piece clutch kit which was £250 in parts alone. We painted the engine covers & engine bay whilst the motor was on the bench. We machine cleaned the underside of the vehicle & applied 2 coats of thin WURTH under seal on completion.  We fitted the correct D engine decal set, window washer pump, jets & pipe kit, ash tray, 2No. cream sun visors, spare tyre strap, Jack straps, boot seal, engine rubber seal, premium heat shield pad, adjusted the steering geometry, supplied a fresh MOT and conducted a multipoint check. Replaced the fuel with £25 of new super unleaded once we had removed & repainted the fuel tank. Painted the boot void whilst the tank was on the bench being cleaned. Sonically cleaned & tuned the carb, set the timing.  Fitted new correct hub caps & bolts, Supplied a 500 Key ring, ACI club sticker, front & rear period Italian number plate holder, wheel brace, refurbished the original Fiat 110D jack. We even fitted a period luggage rack & period picnic hamper for 4 persons.

We then sold it to a lovely local lady in April 2021. But due to a change in her circumstances, we subsequently purchased it back for our stock a year or so later.

When back in our possession for the second time, we rebuilt the engine – top end. With a second hand seemingly low mileage head supplied by Ricambio International, which was then dispatched to Sutton Rebore to be deep cleaned, skimmed, reseat valves, degrease & fit springs. The engine was then reassembled using new parts as listed supplied by Ricambio International Ltd: 2 x Barrels, 2 x Piston Rings, Base gasket & Gasket kit, Head gasket, 5 x Push rod tubes & seats, 2 x Inlet valves, 4 x Exhaust gaskets, 1 x Oil pressure switch. All parts were photographed prior to fitting to vehicle. £1, 470 was spent on the engine works alone. We also removed the gear box & sent to our specialist in Cobham, who has done a thorough overhaul at a further cost to us of £1,100. We have also recently fitted a new fuel tank & sender unit amongst other things.

We have resold this iconic car in the meantime & now it’s for sale on behalf of the current lady owner, who has had a health reason forcing its imminent sale.

The car can be viewed at the owner’s premises in Hadley Wood, North London, by appointment only.  We should be able to answer any questions in the meantime & give you a good overview of the little Fiat.

This stunning vehicle is UK Tax & MOT exempt & along with fully comprehensive insurance at a UK average of £125 p/a makes this a very cheap car to own!

The vehicle comes with a history file & contains: New UK V5C, Fiat NZ Nuova 500 Registry & Owners Club dating letter. Fiat Enthusiasts Club UK dating letter, 3No. NZ MOT certificates ‘Warrant Of Fitness Checklist’ the last one expiring On 14th March 2021 & showing complete passes in al criteria. NZ Tax disc coupons the last expiring in June 2021. NZ Number plates front & back. NZ Transport Agency ‘ Certificate of regulation’, NZ data print out of ownership history & vehicle details, DVLA V948 ‘Number Plate Authorisation Certificate, DVLA import papers. Specialist parts invoices from Ricambio International Ltd along with copious pictures of the vehicle at home in New Zealand…

The car presents very well, albeit with some minor paintwork imperfections & minor wear to the driver’s seat which is all reflected in the asking price. It’s probably one of the prettiest RHD examples in Europe for the most sensible price requested.

Fiat Celeste Chiaro 461 paintwork with a ivory interior, including matching door cards & a new full length grey mohair convertible sunshine roof, with matching strap to hold back & associated clips.

Free historic road tax.

Keys on 500 key ring, original 500 jack & wheel wrench, spare wheel with tyre.

Refurbished Fiat steel wheels, with new hub caps & all shod with new matching tyres with inbuilt white walls.

These models are ever increasing in value & are a great investment. Our Fiats come recommended by a leading authority on Fiats & parts specialists – Ricambio International Ltd. I actually have a light blue 1965 500D that makes up part of my own private collection & everybody loves it! It always puts a smile on my face, plus you don’t need to worry about the rising petrol prices – Just enjoy!

As we are a Mercedes Pagoda and R107 specialist we are always happy to part exchange one of these type of cars or indeed any classic car of excellent quality, so please don’t miss this most fastidious example of the iconic Fiat 500D. This vehicle is exceptional value, try & find another as original & tax exempt – Please remember ‘you get what you pay for’.  Our cars are handpicked by a marquee expert & we turn down 8 or 9 out of every 10 cars offered. The cars we sell, are we believe the best of their type & are here to be viewed & driven in the UK. This takes the gamble out of buying a car direct from Europe sight unseen. Our stock comes fully de-registered from the country of origin with the ACI fee paid, UK MOT’d, test driven, serviced & detailed. Don’t confuse them with other cars on the internet which have had dubious restorations & are offered with a low asking price. We have had 2 clients bring such cars to us recently bought direct from Italy & both were severe MOT failures with a list of faults ranging from no reverse gear to an undercarriage that requires total replacement. You have been warned! There is always a reason why a car is being sold cheaply! Again ‘you get what you pay for’…

More photos available upon request, PX always considered.

Can be viewed at any reasonable time by prior appointment.

Delivery by road, or packed and shipped, or air freight all possible by arrangement at excellent rates, car is ready to drive away today or be delivered to your door…

We are always keen to purchase Mercedes Benz Pagoda’s (W113) or late 300SL (R107) models, so please give us a call for a friendly chat if you are considering selling, we would love to hear from you. We also hold many parts in stock for the above models & have our own restoration facilities, where we restore these glorious old Mercedes to Stuttgart factory standards.