Cars come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. That is why the classic scene enjoys such wide appeal. There is something out there that will appeal to every taste, and if your heart craves a small Italian classic, this 1971 Fiat 500 L could be ideal. It presents superbly following a meticulous refurbishment. I won’t describe it as restored because its engine bay houses a larger, slightly more powerful motor. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Fiat listed here on Craigslist in Ridgefield, Washington. You could drive it home after handing the seller $15,000.
“Cars of the people” is an interesting term, suggesting that some vehicles achieve enormous success because they are readily available to the buying public. The Ford Model T was the first example of this approach, while post-war Europe contributed the Volkswagen Beetle, the Citroën 2CV, and the Fiat 500. All shared the same traits: they were affordable and enjoyed surprisingly long production lives. Fiat introduced the 500 in 1957, with the last cars rolling off the line in 1975. Almost four million buyers took one home, and the modest sticker price meant that the Fiat represented motoring at its most basic. The company introduced the 500 L in 1968, adding a few touches of luxury that many buyers welcomed. The seller commenced restoring this 1971 Fiat 500 L in 2018, adopting a nut-and-bolt approach to achieve a stunning result. The panels are as straight as an arrow and rust-free, while the Mediterranean Blue paint holds a mirror shine. The glass is crystal clear, and the trim is spotless. The wheels and hubcaps are new, and with every window gasket and the sunroof also replaced, water and dust entry shouldn’t be an issue.
Lifting the hood reveals why I don’t consider this Fiat restored. It left the factory with a rear-mounted, air-cooled 499cc two-cylinder engine producing 22hp and 26 ft/lbs of torque. The seller performed a transplant during their build, bolting in the engine from a later Fiat 126. That pushed the capacity to 594cc, while power and torque climbed to 26hp and 29 ft/lbs. The car received the four-speed manual transaxle from the 126 with no synchromesh on first gear. It is easy to dismiss the engine upgrade and the relatively modest output gains. However, it is worth remembering that with a curb weight of a mere 1,170 lbs, even a slight improvement will be noticeable and welcome. The seller left nothing to chance during their build, replacing the fuel tank, fuel lines, sender, brake reservoir, and brake lines. The Fiat runs and drives extremely well, with no known shortcomings or issues.
An interior retrim formed part of the seller’s refurbishment, and faulting the presentation is extremely difficult. The process included new vinyl upholstery, a new carpet set, and new seat foam. This shot reveals three of the interior features that formed part of the 500 L package. Buyers received a non-reflective Black plastic dash fascia instead of painted steel, along with a floor-mounted open-top console for increased storage. However, the wheel was the star, with a plastic rim and steel spokes that gave the Fiat’s interior a sporty feel. There appears to be a fitting issue with the rear compartment trim, but the limited images make it hard to determine whether it will respond to adjustments. It might also be that because the 500 has such limited cargo space, the seller fitted a protective cover in the rear compartment to protect the upholstered surfaces if they needed to stow luggage in the back seat. Otherwise, there is no wear or signs of abuse.
This 1971 Fiat 500 L is a stunning little classic. While the upgraded motor won’t deliver enormous performance gains, anything is better than nothing for a car with modest power and torque. This little gem needs nothing and is ready for fun with its new owner behind the wheel. The seller’s price is above the market average, but the car’s spotless presentation seemingly justifies that figure. These tiny Fiats provide enormous enjoyment, and if that trait is high on your list, it could be the car for you.
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Fiat 500s. They’re nimble, cute and very Italian. This example grabs me, even if it isn’t red, as was almost every 500 I’ve ever seen.
The engine swap makes sense, but the real jewel in the crown would be a Puch 650 TR II, which carried a 41-horsepower sting in its tail. That would make a real adventure out of driving a slow car fast.
My guess is that the seller put more than 15K into the restoration, and I don’t begrudge him a penny of the ask. If the budget allowed, I’d be giving this one a very close look and, if all checked out, writing a check.
Hello Adam,
Thanks for the write up. I think it is very hard for your US readers to fully understand the essence of the ultra compact Fiat 500, while there were thousands of 4 people Italian families that had this car as their one and only . What you write about the engine upgrade is absolutely true. Still not a racer, far from that, but yes in this set up it is a lively happy camper.
Just one thing, you don’t lift the hood of a 500. It hinges at the bottom so you either drop or pull it. It made me wonder did you ever meet a 500 in real?