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Old 20th July 2014, 23:52   #1
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1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Well, my Third Classic Fiat. Car belongs to my Facebook friend Vikram Mohithe who lives in Australia. This car was restored at Kolhapur sometime ago, but had lots of issues with it and Vikram was dejected with the condition of the car. After lots of discussions, He and his wife arranged for the car to be transported to Bangalore from Kolhapur.

This one was an EXTENSIVE one and the plan was to go complete Original. The restoration began end Jan 2014 and now its on its finishing stages.

100% of the mechanicals on this car car is NEW, Fresh Upholstery, Fresh Wiring, and Glasurit Dark Black base and Clear coat.

Initially the car never had most of its original parts, but as time passed, My friend arranged for most of the spares through his contacts at Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur. Thanks to Rony sir, he helped me with few important spares.

The work on this body shell was extensive, had to get rid of all those metal paste, Body correction at many places, sheet metal replacement etc.,

The car basically went through 3 different kinds of surfacers to make sure we arrest Rust and to get the perfect surface for the Shade of BLACK.
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Old 21st July 2014, 01:40   #2
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re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Hi Pavan,I love all your restorations cant wait to see this one finished.

Last edited by GTO : 21st July 2014 at 17:20. Reason: Please do NOT take a thread off-topic for your own benefit
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Old 21st July 2014, 22:30   #3
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Initially we scraped down the car and started body filler work, but as time progressed lot many things surfaced and there was hell lot of work in getting those shapes and original lines out.

Paint color was very simple, i was given a choice of BLACK, and i went with the DARKEST BLACK / EVIL BLACK from Glasurit. Base Black and Clear coat.
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Old 22nd July 2014, 19:30   #4
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM View Post
Initially we scraped down the car and started body filler work, but as time progressed lot many things surfaced and there was hell lot of work in getting those shapes and original lines out.

Paint color was very simple, i was given a choice of BLACK, and i went with the DARKEST BLACK / EVIL BLACK from Glasurit. Base Black and Clear coat.
Hi

That's good paint work pavan, the final gloss is fantastic.
Would like to know few things Pavan, did you do the undersurface also and did you remove the subframe and the steering column also? Please post some pictures for reference.

Than you.
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Old 22nd July 2014, 23:04   #5
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by Drkannant View Post
Hi

That's good paint work pavan, the final gloss is fantastic.
Would like to know few things Pavan, did you do the undersurface also and did you remove the subframe and the steering column also? Please post some pictures for reference.

Than you.

The Whole car was assembled FRESH, 100% of the mechanicals are brand new
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Old 23rd July 2014, 12:20   #6
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Nice to see the headlight buckets have not been changed like most cars (including both of mine). What lights did you fit? And were they direct fit into the original mounting holes? Or did you drill any extra?

Quote:
Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM View Post
The Whole car was assembled FRESH, 100% of the mechanicals are brand new
Nice to see the Padmini TVS braking system replacing the API Lockheed system - while originality would be great, this is a much more practical choice since genuine spares are available.

How did you find the suspension/tie rod parts from these aftermarket brands? I am skeptical of how long they would last, but in absence of Rane and similar options we don't have a choice. At least something is available, these too will disappear shortly.
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Old 23rd July 2014, 17:59   #7
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Pavan,
I am a big fan of your restoration works. You are rocking. Once again great work from you. Great paint job. Final finish is awesome. Expecting more pictures of the interiors.
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Old 23rd July 2014, 21:08   #8
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Pavan Anna!!
One Word AWESOME!!

The Paint has a Mirror Finish to it. Cant wait to see the Final Product.
And, I have no doubt that it would be a treat to watch.

Lucky you, you get to work with these Classic Icons.
I am sure, it would have been a difficult task for you to find parts for this beauty.
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Old 23rd July 2014, 21:26   #9
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Beautiful job Pavan! How about pasting a sound deadening layer under the bonnet and firewall?
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Old 23rd July 2014, 22:56   #10
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by karlosdeville View Post
Nice to see the headlight buckets have not been changed like most cars (including both of mine). What lights did you fit? And were they direct fit into the original mounting holes? Or did you drill any extra?


Nice to see the Padmini TVS braking system replacing the API Lockheed system - while originality would be great, this is a much more practical choice since genuine spares are available.

How did you find the suspension/tie rod parts from these aftermarket brands? I am skeptical of how long they would last, but in absence of Rane and similar options we don't have a choice. At least something is available, these too will disappear shortly.
Well, the TVS brake system upgrade was a boon, the braking has improved by a large margin. I would have loved API Lockheed, but practicality and usability was my biggest priority.

The new spares are basically of very good quality, my mechanic was impressed. While the rear suspension clamps are a direct rip-off from the Maruti Van, The Distributor gave way for a Flame Thrower ( Electronic Ignition ) from the Contessa Classic .

So, basically, i wanted this car to be very very practical and a daily use kind of car as it will leave the Indian Shores very soon and live the rest of its life at AUSTRALIA

Quote:
Originally Posted by lal79 View Post
Pavan,
I am a big fan of your restoration works. You are rocking. Once again great work from you. Great paint job. Final finish is awesome. Expecting more pictures of the interiors.
Final pics by next tuesday Car is under Test presently.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sharma_sanjeevi View Post
Pavan Anna!!
One Word AWESOME!!

The Paint has a Mirror Finish to it. Cant wait to see the Final Product.
And, I have no doubt that it would be a treat to watch.

Lucky you, you get to work with these Classic Icons.
I am sure, it would have been a difficult task for you to find parts for this beauty.
It was tough to get hold of many original stuff for this car, but things conspired and made my job easier.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudra Sen View Post
Beautiful job Pavan! How about pasting a sound deadening layer under the bonnet and firewall?
Not necessary sir, i have put the original damping inside the firewall and i think its quite ok.
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Old 24th July 2014, 19:54   #11
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM View Post
So, basically, i wanted this car to be very very practical and a daily use kind of car as it will leave the Indian Shores very soon and live the rest of its life at AUSTRALIA
And another classic leaves our shores. This time a Millecento! Sigh.....:

The brown inlay in the dash is non original. Not exactly to my taste, but still...

Is this car "BYH" registered, BTW?

What ignition was it running on anyway? Magneti Marelli or Lucas? And the tyres?

As regards to insulation, I opine that it is not needed. The note of the charismatic Fiat 103 i4 ensures that it is not needed.

In this case, it is interesting to note that this car does not have side blinkers on, as it is a Millecento. Post 1956 ones would have had them on, as they were a slightly different model, the Elegant.

Also note, that he has managed to correct the rims. But they are painted incorrectly, I guess. They should be creamish, and not white.

I just love the attention to detail though! Glasurit! The works...eh?

Last edited by FINTAIL : 24th July 2014 at 20:10.
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Old 25th July 2014, 09:20   #12
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by FINTAIL View Post
And another classic leaves our shores. This time a Millecento! Sigh.....:

The brown inlay in the dash is non original. Not exactly to my taste, but still...

Is this car "BYH" registered, BTW?

What ignition was it running on anyway? Magneti Marelli or Lucas? And the tyres?

As regards to insulation, I opine that it is not needed. The note of the charismatic Fiat 103 i4 ensures that it is not needed.

In this case, it is interesting to note that this car does not have side blinkers on, as it is a Millecento. Post 1956 ones would have had them on, as they were a slightly different model, the Elegant.

Also note, that he has managed to correct the rims. But they are painted incorrectly, I guess. They should be creamish, and not white.

I just love the attention to detail though! Glasurit! The works...eh?
I agree with the brown inlay on the dash, looks a little OFF , Will be reverting back to Full Black Dash.

The Rims are infact painted Cream, maybe the light effect has made it look white

Glasurit Works !!!. I just love the way the paint behaves.

We have coverd a few hundred kms and the car is behaving really well, interms of braking, running, FE, suspension etc., Few minor niggles have surfaced like, Cambering issue and Wiper motor not working. Couple of days we shall rectify them.

Some pics while being assembled. Final pics next week.
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Old 3rd August 2014, 18:08   #13
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Hi

I think the head light rings and the front parking lights don't look periodic and the horn button looks pathetic! I am sure the red and black fiat horn button is easily available locally and on E bay. May be the yellow and golden button is rare though.
On the dashboard knob panel you need to put two more switches like the one you have next to the ignition key. Hope you find the MILLECENTO badge which comes on the left hand side of the dashboard. That would complete the dashboard. Have an extra one with me, but it is of the left hand drive.

Posted a picture of my cars dashboard which I had recently restored for your reference

Another thing the boot lock, even this isn't periodic. If you want I can get you the original single eared boot lock, its available with a friend of mine. PM if you want.
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Old 4th August 2014, 23:39   #14
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Re: 1955 Fiat Millecento Restoration

Well, after close to 7 months, the FIAT is off the assembly line and ready to Rock and Roll

Kolhapur Road Trip early morning to deliver it. Better pics once i am back
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Old 6th August 2014, 11:09   #15
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610 kms in 9 hours and its back at its home at Kolhapur

A nice monsoon road trip, awesome Tarmac and a freshly restored car

Let the pics do the talking
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