Spare parts for the Fiat 500 F
Here you will find various parts and accessories for Fiat 500 vintage cars, especially the third model in this series, the ‘Cinquecento F’.
The evolution of the Fiat 500 F
The Fiat 500 F was extensively modernised in 1965. The most striking feature is that its doors are now hinged at the front. The so-called suicide doors were no longer permitted in many European countries, including Germany, from 1965. The body of the Fiat 500 F was extensively revised. The now recessed door hinges and latches meant that the A and B pillars had to be wider. To compensate, the door sills in the interior were slimmed down by a few centimetres.
Folding roof and body
The roof was redesigned and was now completely welded to the body instead of bolted. There was now only the short folding roof, which was exactly the same size as on the D.
Its popularity increased even more with the newer versions. The purchase price also fell by 10,000 marks to differentiate it more strongly from the 600.
Chassis and suspension
Technically, the concept remained the same: the Cinquecento was small, but for its time, with hydraulic brakes and independent wheel suspension on a leaf spring at the front and hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear, it was a very modern and technically sophisticated car.
Engine and drive
The rear engine drives the rear axle via straight drive shafts, which are protected from the dust of the road by axle boots. As in the F, the engine was still the two-cylinder parallel twin, with a displacement of 499 cc and 18 hp. This meant that the little 500 was sufficiently motorised for its time and it reached the 100 km/h mark with a little run-up. The engine has a side camshaft with a drive via a timing chain and overhead valves. To increase the power 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, some drivers find this too time-consuming, so many Fiat 500 fans retrofit synchronised transmissions as replacement transmissions.
Interior and accessories
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 windscreen wiper blades via a linkage that keeps rain off the windscreen. The boot lid can be opened from the inside using a cable pull.
There is space for four people inside, although it is not very spacious. The seats and back seat are usually upholstered with colourful seat cushions (red or ochre, for example, were popular) and can be adjusted at the front on seat rails. Inside and out, there are many chrome trim parts, chrome bumpers, decorative strips and other add-on parts to suit the tastes of the time. Rear or roof racks are also not uncommon.
Spare parts supply for the Fiat 500 F
Spare parts for classic cars are often a problem, but not so for the classic Fiat 500 F.
Body
As already described, many sheet metal parts for the 500 F body are slightly different than for its predecessor. Since the F is by far the most common Fiat 500 registered today, repair panels, front panels and wheel arches are readily available. Doors, floor panels, bonnets and sills are also easy to get hold of.
Wear parts
The common 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.
For more complicated parts such as steering knuckles on the front axle or the Weber carburettors, there are exchange options or repair kits that contain all the parts needed for a reconditioning. You can even get new carburettors as replicas. Interior parts such as floor mats, door panels and carpets are available in many colours.
The Fiat 500 F today
The fan community of the cars 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 in every version, and with its timeless concept, it will continue to inspire future generations.