Its back -at last!

[nigel bickle]

Few days late -but I've now got my 3rd Fiat 1100 back home from France.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/fiat/DSC009501.jpg

Looks a good 'un - although the paintwork is appalling -looks like it was sprayed with a hosepipe, about 2 yrs ago.

I think/hope a load of flatting/mopping this coming Spring should give it some sort of shine.

Its now temporarily back on its Frog plates (Uk ones were 'borrowed' from my other taxed, tested but unused 1100r so my mate could drive it in France!) whilst I sort its issues prior to testing.

Lighting was a disaster -traced to a dodgy indicator/lightswitch unit -swopped for a spare 127 one that has sorted the majority- although I still havent got to main beam -somehow wired direct to the ignition!

 

Fuel system was full of tar and rust -and caused no end of 'difficulties' in France.

I've powerwashed the tank -shaken it full of pebbles and seems Ok.

New flexi pipe and 3 filters means I can monitor muck -and has allowed me to retune the little Weber -so overrich that was choking.

Nice tickover -sounds peachy.

Interior is pretty good -although the headlining and pillars need sorting

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/fiat/DSC046691-1.jpg

Dash board is out at pres to get to the wiring and wiper motor that wants to 'park' mid screen' -looks a swine to get at.

The rear of the exhaust seems to be in the boot -as the car is outside thats got to wait for a dry weekend!

I think a neat sleeve should deal with that.

 

So -all in all -happy.

 

Next Spring it'll be a trio of 1100's (2 'r's, 1 'd') roadlegal!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Wow. I have never seen one of those cars in the flesh. Is it rwd? (not that I fancy getting one for drifting of course). How did you get it over the channel?Whats the difference between an 'r' and a 'd'?

[nigel bickle]

Here's my other 1100r:-

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/fiat/ourcars019-1.jpg

temporarily back on its French plates cos the Uk ones were in France;

 

and here's my 1100d:

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/fiat/1100-5-1.jpg

Recently collected- and in the queue!

[michiel]

Lovely!

[garethj]

Cool! Interior reminds me of my Renault 8, very spartan but still ok after 40-odd years.Amazing to think these tiny cars were for a family back then, now most families seem to need a Transit van

[mouseflakes]

Cool! Interior reminds me of my Renault 8, very spartan but still ok after 40-odd years.

I was going to say exactly the same thing! Smashin'!

[Sav]

Nice collection of Millecentos Nigel! I remember them still being quite common in Italy even in the early/mid eighties.Cars like those were always my holiday highlights for years. 8)Look forward to see how you get on.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Amazing to think these tiny cars were for a family back then, now most families seem to need a Transit van

Ha ha, so true!

[seth]

Amazing to think these tiny cars were for a family back then, now most families seem to need a Transit van

Ha ha, so true!

We try our best to prove its unnecessary....Lovely little Fiats. If all these are going by Spring and you've got that trio of Japanese treats how are you ever going to decide what to drive?

[nigel bickle]

Its a nice problem Seth -isnt it? I tend to 'season' cars according to rust; so Italian cars are late spring to early Autumn; French the gaps either side, and Scandinavian when the roads are salt covered....I've far more than are ever mentioned here -dont think I've ever mentioned Lancia's, Buick's, Trabbies,Standards, etc etc. I believe that the 1100r was still being built in India till recently as the Padmini -often used as a taxi. Bet that would be fun for 4,luggage + driver! And I think I've seen an article in Practical Classics about someone driving an 1100d back home to Lincs from Bombay.

[pompei]

Absolutely beautiful, I love those cars - saw a handful in the south of Italy a couple of years ago, I'll see if I can find the pics