Pilots & his 1950 Mouse Restoration - Fiat Topolino Delivered

[Topolino]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

How ever considering the fact that we do not have the exact specs/ tire size for a 14" rim, which is extremely difficult to find a documented write-up , i think we need to be content with the present set-up.

I agree, the ride quality will be a bit different with these tyres, but nothing drastic. And also considering its useage. Mr Airbus would drive it for a max of 50 kms a year

Some more updates on the car by noon.

Our Fiat 500 Topolino (1946) is originally fitted with 4.00 - 4.25 - 15" tyre. You can see that in picture below.



As it became very difficult to get 4.00-4.25-15" tyres in 1975, my father modified FIAT 1100 rims for FIAT 500 and fitted 5.20 14" tyres. Since then car is running on these tyres. So I think you will have to be content with the present set up.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by Topolino

Our Fiat 500 Topolino (1946) is originally fitted with 4.00 - 4.25 - 15" tyre. You can see that in picture below.

As it became very difficult to get 4.00-4.25-15" tyres in 1975, my father modified FIAT 1100 rims for FIAT 500 and fitted 5.20 14" tyres. Since then car is running on these tyres. So I think you will have to be content with the present set up.

I think we are still in doubts regarding the Rim / tyres used in a 1950 Topolino.

What i know from my close inspection and many many pics from the www. the rims what are on the car do look original, Once we get the original hubcaps only then will we be able to fit them and ascertain if its correct, Untill then lets wait

Some updates regarding the tinkering.

1) New floor pans for the LHS.
2) New running boards and inner chassis box for the LHS

[AIRBUSDriver]

Originally Posted by Topolino

Our Fiat 500 Topolino (1946) is originally fitted with 4.00 - 4.25 - 15" tyre. You can see that in picture below.

Attachment 377416

As it became very difficult to get 4.00-4.25-15" tyres in 1975, my father modified FIAT 1100 rims for FIAT 500 and fitted 5.20 14" tyres. Since then car is running on these tyres. So I think you will have to be content with the present set up.

Your Topolino is a type B Topolino...so it's possible that it had 15 inch rims? The rims look different if you notice. What we're restoring is a 1950 type C Topolino....it may have come to India with the 14'' rims?? It came with the car which was very original( the second car I bought)...I'm still researching this...

By the by do you have any Manuals/Spares for a type C Topolino? Please ask you dad if he can help us with our restoration...any place in India where I can source NOS parts for these cars?? Thanks.

Please post more pics of your Car and it's wheels!

[PAVAN KADAM]

Found the much elusive metal brake fluid reservoir

Got it cleaned, chromed and buffed.

Now ready to go in to the engine room once ready

[Topolino]

Originally Posted by AIRBUSDriver

Your Topolino is a type B Topolino...so it's possible that it had 15 inch rims? The rims look different if you notice. What we're restoring is a 1950 type C Topolino....it may have come to India with the 14'' rims?? It came with the car which was very original( the second car I bought)...I'm still researching this...

By the by do you have any Manuals/Spares for a type C Topolino? Please ask you dad if he can help us with our restoration...any place in India where I can source NOS parts for these cars?? Thanks.

Please post more pics of your Car and it's wheels!

Sorry for the delay in reply. I have posted few photographs in the thread
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...s-cars-84.html
I will soon post latest photographs too.

My dad knew that it would be difficult to get spares for FIAT 500 in future so he purchased two such cars which were lying in scrap way back in 1970s. The body and the wheels of these two cars were completely rusted and beyond repair so he left them in scrap. Now a days it is very difficult to get NOS parts for these cars, only way is to look for a car lying in scrap.

If you face any problem from the mechanical side including engine, gear box, brakes, suspension etc. do feel free to write, my dad will certainly help you. And if you face difficulty in getting any particular spare please tell, we would try our best to source one for you.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by Topolino

My dad knew that it would be difficult to get spares for FIAT 500 in future so he purchased two such cars which were lying in scrap way back in 1970s. The body and the wheels of these two cars were completely rusted and beyond repair so he left them in scrap. Now a days it is very difficult to get NOS parts for these cars, only way is to look for a car lying in scrap.

Quite agree with your Dad's point of view.

There so little literature available over this car, it becomes damn difficult to relate to original / Equivalent parts.

Just recently someone promised me to deliver an "ORIGINAL" Starter and dynamo- in working condition. Now where do i refer to as which is Original and which is OE

Tinker not keeping well and the work suffered for over 2 weeks, and as usual the after effects continued for the next week also. Cant help, as these are the part and parcel during restorations.

Meanwhile checked the combustion chamber volume, We got varied readings, but we were yet to ascertain the ORIGINAL height of the HEAD.

We have 2 engine Heads

Head 1 = 65 mm height
Head 2 = 72 mm height ( Added more alloy by cold welding method)

[PAVAN KADAM]

Let me cut this short.


THE PILOT AND HIS MOUSE.........!

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Let me cut this short.
THE PILOT AND HIS MOUSE.........!

Haha! Good one Pavan!

In Madras I presume?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by Stanher

Haha! Good one Pavan!

In Madras I presume?

You guessed it right

Myself and Joy had been to Chennai yesterday to meet C S Ananth, we wanted to seek advice regarding the troublesome head , he was more than happy to lend his advice.

We saw around his treasure trove, Man.....! what a collection, just mindblowing.

We saw his Fiat 500 A, got a lot of tips on how to build the convertible roof and he later directed us to one more collector Dr Selvaraj who owns the Fiat 500C , same as what we have. That was a boon.

Dr Selvaraj's car is very neatly restored and we loved this experience, well chennai had lots in store than what we thought.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

You guessed it right

Myself and Joy had been to Chennai yesterday to meet C S Ananth,

We saw his Fiat 500 A, got a lot of tips on how to build the convertible roof and he later directed us to one more collector Dr Selvaraj who owns the Fiat 500C , same as what we have. That was a boon.

Dr Selvaraj's car is very neatly restored and we loved this experience, well chennai had lots in store than what we thought.

Aah yes, I remember having seen pics. of this car before in another thread- the APX (Hyd.!! ) regn...:sighhhhh:!!

Also CS Ananth's 500 is superb too! BTW, I'm a bit confused between the 500'A' and 'B' now...?

[wasif]

What size were teh rims and tires on MSX 1604 and APX 3061 ?

The ones on MSX 1604 look like they are of the correct width but not she sizes

[harit]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

You guessed it right
Myself and Joy had been to Chennai yesterday to meet C S Ananth, we wanted to seek advice regarding the troublesome head , he was more than happy to lend his advice.

Noteworthy how enthusiasts help each other, take the time off and enjoying the hobby. Keep it going!

Cheers harit

[joshguy]

Originally Posted by joshguy

Pavan i saw it dawn so dont konw the colour,but will try to get the pic or details

Originally Posted by joshguy

Hey PAVAN,

Sorry ,that car is not in that Garage now.But i could see a pre 1940 vehicle with spokes wheel and another short small car for which i could not see the badge

The vintage one was Some thing like this

Hi Pavan I saw the car again two days back in the same garage.

It was in white but dont know if it was primer or paint.Looks like sombody is restoring it,since i was on official work i could not stop to take details

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by joshguy

Hi Pavan I saw the car again two days back in the same garage.

It was in white but dont know if it was primer or paint.Looks like sombody is restoring it,since i was on official work i could not stop to take details

Buddy, which area in chennai is this car in. We were in Chennai 3 days ago. Saw almost all cars that we needed to see

Getting back to restoration,

1) ORIGINAL DYNAMO: Got hold of an original Dynamo, from a parts dealer, he was insisting its from a 1949 Fiat 500, also mentioned every data on the data plate is written Italian and mentions "FIAT" and one corner is written "TIPO" Consulted Manishalive and few pics that i could get hold of on the WWW. and could make out it's indeed ORIGINAL

2) BODYWORK: Full body tinkering completed We are now aligning all the fenders, checking the original wheels on the car, while this will go on for another 10 days, after which, we will be sanding down the complete car and will be separating the Body and the Chassis.

FCB's Arun and Manishalive took out some time to come over to the workshop to monitor the progress.

Presently, almost all the mechanical parts are ready, Head is gone out for some last minor work on it.

[joshguy]

Hey Pavan

The one i saw was in royepettah. where and Which workshop did you visit?

BTW was Dr Selvaraj a Ex racer or something? There is a selvaraj near Days Inn Deccan Hotel in Royapettah again

I found some thing strange in the APX !!! The radiator is fixed to the firewall of the engine bay and the fan is at back . This is how all older car were produced ??