[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear all,

I have started all over again. My fourth Fiat is under ground up restoration. It is MRF6466. It is a 1967 model car. It was owned by one person from 1967. It has covered only some 65000 kms in 41 years. The engine, clutch, transmission, propeller shaft and axles have never been opened at all (he has confirmed and I have double checked). Everything is original, including the thin bumpers, the front, rear and side indicator lights as well as the instruments. Even the dynamo and starter motor were original but as the starter motor was not working properly, I replaced it and changed over to an alternator. It has its share of corrosion but it has not affected any structural integrity. I am putting all new doors, new bonnet and new dicky. The running boards have been changed. Surprisingly the floor panels are good, so they are retained but I have checked all welding joints and added reinforcements wherever necessary. The old paint is being slowly and meticulously removed without using any caustic solution. Then the remains are being scrapped down. Replacement of corroded body panels is in process. I will keep you briefed on the progress. I took only 2 pohotographs in my mobile which are attached. One photograph of the car before work started is also attached. Please give your recommendations for paint shade etc. I have some idea in mind which I will share shortly.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[ram.west]

hi sir,


Great to hear that you restoring a fiat. Are you doing it up stock ??

[1100D]

This has the same radiator as on our car. I guess this will be replaced.

OT: I am waiting for your inputs on the steering pillar reinforcement.

[Cyrus43]

The color decided by dad is the Cream from the Tata Ace. But personally I would like the Light blue that was on BLB 1144.

[the mole]

Originally Posted by Cyrus43

The color decided by dad is the Cream from the Tata Ace. But personally I would like the Light blue that was on BLB 1144.

what was the original colour of the car??

[anjan_c2007]

Behram felt happy to read about your project. Being a Bombay car all the metal has corroded a lot more.
-The hub caps need to be the original aluminium ones with FIAT embossed.
-The beadings (front and rear were sans the chrome strips then).
-The rear monogram Fiat 1100 D is missing.
you've asked about the shades of paint. Some shades available then in 1967 were coffee brown, moss,moonstone and a lighter shade of aquamarine (don't know what terminology PAL used for this shade), the latter being very popular.
In fact the exact shade can be seen in the movie "Kal Aaj Aur Kal" in the scene when "young and dashing" Randhir Kapoor's car rams across Achla Sachdev's Fiat 1100 D ( of that colour).

[SuperSelect]

Wow Behram Sir, another project ! We'll keenly follow this one up, and get the best advice and references for us ! All the best for the project.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by the mole

what was the original colour of the car??

I remember Behram saying it was black?

[Cyrus43]

Originally Posted by the mole

what was the original colour of the car??

The original color was Black. But, this car is not going black, by no means Whatsoever!!!

Just cheked the car in the evening, the Red Oxide has gone on the car already. Body work will take another week.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by Cyrus43

The original color was Black. But, this car is not going black, by no means Whatsoever!!!

If I might ask, KEm dikra??

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear all - the original colour was black and I am inclined to go for black but it is difficult to maintain and without whitewall tyres, it really does not make sense. I might also consider Gogi's "peshal" blue with creamish top and same colour superselect wheel rims without whitewall tyres and with original superselect wheelcaps or with black hub caps. The original black and white photograph of the 70s which the gentleman showed to me has the car in black colour with superselect wheel rims so superselect wheels must come back. I have procured a set of superselect wheel rims already. Dear Anjan - I don't like the chrome strips on the windshield rubbers so they will go. I will not put the monogram on the dicky as I don't like cluttering on the dicky. Only number plate and number plate lights will be there. Number plates 375 mm long / 85 mm wide / 3 mm thick are already made in powder coated aluminium sheets. I want to make the rear number plate also small like the front one to differentiate the look. Let's see.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[rjvora_2000]

Sirji,

Two children and four FIAT's. "Bhot na in-sa-fee hai ye"

Two Fiat's for your children, one for you. One left - Adopt me as your child. I will be happy with, which ever fiat you give it to me.

[adheesh]

How about restoring 6466 to something like this ??

Waiting for your responses.

Regards,
Adheesh Parelkar

[abdriver2000]

Dear Mr. Dhabhar,

I will be following this thread very closely for 2 reasons:
1. My father has the same first name as yours
2. My father has a 1966 Fiat which will undergo restoration soon.

To be honest, I have zero knowledge about restoring cars, but I am sure all the good people here will pull me through.

[Cyrus43]

Adheesh, That is EXACTLY what i was asking him to do. But, He wont listen!!! But nonetheless, Lets try and persuade him!! And let me do some photoshopping now to compare cream to blue.