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The
500 was bought secondhand in 1972 for less than you would pay
for a bag of groceries in 2004. It was in terrible shape and many
hours was spent to get the car road worthy. The main aim at that
stage was
to have something to commute to work with. We lived in Pretoria at
that stage. The matt black bonnet? I think it was an effort to make it
go faster, much the same as stripes on racing cars of those
days. |
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In
1974 the 500 officiated at its first wedding. The left front
seat was
removed
in order to accommodate the massive dress the bride wore.
The bride’s mother was quite upset because the 500 was chosen
in place of a Mercedes. |
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After moving to Bloemfontein in 1979 we were faced with the dilemma
of getting the car there from Pretoria, a distance of 300 km. We borrowed
a Ford Custom and with the Fiat in the loading bay, me, the wife and
the Basset hound in the front we made a safe journey home. ( The Basset
is a story on its own!!) |
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During 1980 the first attempt at restoration was made. Because of
a lack of funds (and knowledge) more damage than good was done. The
car was by now becoming a conversation piece. We found that people
were more friendly if you were in this car than in your daily transport.
The care were frequently used at that stage. |
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1996
Was the year of the BIG restoration. The car was stripped completely
and practically rebuilt. Two fellow FIATEERS helped me with the process,
one is called Jan and the other Piet. The car is nicknamed PIETER-JAN.
The whole process took about two years. We started off by stripping the
car to the bare minimum. We knew very little about the restoration
of a car. |
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The
most fortunate part of all this was that there were very little
rust
on the body, especially the floor. The areas affected by rust
was cleaned with a wire brush and treated with antirust agent.
There
was no fibre glass used on the car. It had a nasty bump on the
right hand front fender which we managed to extract to a reasonable
level. This area was then smoothed with body putty. |
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We worked
on the car on Saturdays. We really tried our best with it. In the
end I think it turned out nice. This is Jan and Piet. |
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This is
just to proof that I did actually do something during the restoration,
although I was sitting on my backside at the time! |
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My baby
is back home, now the nice part can start. |
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Quite
a historic photo, I have just started the engine for the first
time in about 6 years. At that stage I did not bother to take it
apart as I did not know where I would ever get spares. Fortunately
it was running very smooth. Lately it has started leaking oil,
fortunately I got a gasket set from Bernd
Grosse in Germany. |
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It might
not be your regular "factory" job but it was done by myself and
two very dear friends. |