Spare parts for the Fiat 500 D
Here
you will find various parts and accessories for Fiat 500 classic cars,
especially the second model in this series, the ‘Cinquecento D’.
The development of the Fiat 500 D
This was presented in 1960 as a replacement for the first series. Although it was small, it was a very modern and technically sophisticated car for its time, with hydraulic brakes and independent wheel suspension on a leaf spring at the front and hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear. The Fiat 500 D now had the option of a long folding roof like the early model or the small folding roof of the later model.
Engine and carburettor
The rear engine drives the rear axle via straight drive shafts, which are protected from road dust by axle boots. The engine of the D was still the two-cylinder parallel twin, but now with a displacement of 499 ccm and an impressive 18 hp. This meant that the little Ciquecento D was sufficiently motorised for its time and even Alpine passes caused it fewer problems. The engine has a side camshaft with a timing chain drive and overhead valves. To increase performance even further, a replacement engine from a later model is often installed. Fuel is supplied by a Weber IMB26 carburettor.
Starting and choke
Unusual from today's perspective: to start the engine, you first turn the ignition lock to the right, then pull the choke lever, and finally operate the starter via a starter cable.
The transmission
The gears are selected via an unsynchronised 4-speed manual transmission with double-declutching. If operated incorrectly, these transmissions often have to be overhauled with a repair kit or replaced with a replacement transmission. Today, this is too much work for some drivers, so many Fiat 500 fans retrofit synchronised transmissions as replacement transmissions.
Boot
There is a tiny luggage compartment at the front, which is practically filled by the battery and spare wheel. The windscreen wiper motor is also located here, which controls two wiper blades via a linkage that keeps rain off the windscreen. The boot lid can be opened from the inside using a cable.
Changes to the body and sheet metal parts
The exterior of the 500 D also underwent a few changes: the air vents in the front panel had given way to round indicators with aluminium bases, and the large, drop-shaped indicators on the wings of the N model were replaced by small, round indicators. The rear lights were larger and more angular overall, with more voluminous aluminium bases and two-tone lenses. The dashboard of the D model now had an ashtray. The rear-hinged doors, known as suicide doors, were retained.
Interior and accessories
There is room for 4 people in the interior, although not much. The seats and the back seat are still quite rustic in the early versions, but already padded with colourful seat cushions and adjustable at the front on seat rails. Inside and out, there are many chrome trim parts, chrome bumpers, decorative strips and other attachments in keeping with the tastes of the time. Luggage racks at the rear or on the roof are also not uncommon.
Spare parts supply for Fiat 500 D vintage cars
Spare parts for vintage cars are often a problem, but not for the classic Fiat 500 D. Many sheet metal parts for the body are slightly different for the 500 D, both from its predecessor and from later models. Nevertheless, repair panels, front panels and wheel arches are readily available. Doors, floor panels, bonnets and sills are also available.
Wear parts
The usual wear parts such as wheel brake cylinders, brake pads, distributor caps and door and window seals are now being reproduced for the large number of old Fiat 500s. Interior parts such as floor mats, door panels and carpets are available in many colours.
Reconditioned original parts
For more complicated parts such as steering knuckles on the front axle or the Weber carburettors, there are exchange parts or repair kits that contain all the parts needed for a rebuild. You can even get new carburettors as replicas.
The Fiat 500 today
The fan community of the car is larger today than ever. The Fiat 500 is one of the 20 most registered classic cars in Germany. Hardly anyone needs two sets of tyres anymore; most of the cars are driven as summer cars and spend the winter in the garage under a car cover. Whether summer or winter, it is definitely a popular little car. It is also easy to maintain, even for beginners. If you ever get stuck, repair manuals and spare parts catalogues are available to help.
Many fans express their affection with all kinds of fan merchandise: there are Fiat 500 key fobs, model cars and other fan items.
The Fiat 500 is and remains an absolute hit and, with its timeless concept, will continue to inspire future generations.