My 1956 Fiat Millecento Restoration Project

Rudra Sen · 9th November 2009, 10:54

Car looks pretty clean to work with. Take Jaggu's suggestion about Sai Colorium. Best part is both the bumpers look clean and they probably don't need much hammering. Look for a right chrome plating place. VijayLakshmi Near Cantonment station was the name. I don't know if they're still doing the same.

Oh yes, remove those toggle switches and that light (sitting in between meters) from the dashboard.

karlosdeville · 9th November 2009, 10:58

Yes, the car has obviously been treated well over the years. Take special care of the front parking lights - in this small size they are very precious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Oh yes, remove those toggle switches and that light (sitting in between meters) from the dashboard.

But those are original Sir.

Rudra Sen · 9th November 2009, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

But those are original Sir.

Oooops! my mistake Mr gestapo.

But that light sitting in between meters?

karlosdeville · 9th November 2009, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

But that light sitting in between meters?

That is a pilot light/jewel light - probably for indicator or high beam notification. The position is correct. In 56, when the meter became a large one piece unit, this light was placed on the left and the right of the meter, depending on the model.

These jewel lights on the 54-56 models are slightly sleeker in design, and almost impossible to source today. For later models you could rotate the light to increase or decrease the intensity. Not sure about this model.

Rudra Sen · 9th November 2009, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

These jewel lights on the 54-56 models are slightly sleeker in design, and almost impossible to source today.

Oh ok got it. But somehow that particular light housing looks after market.

Quote:

For later models you could rotate the light to increase or decrease the intensity. Not sure about this model.

This I knew. My Amby also had this via a switch next to ignition key switch.

karlosdeville · 9th November 2009, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Oh ok got it. But somehow that particular light housing looks after market.

Im quite sure it is original. These earliest models had this light in a different design, slightly slimmer and sleeker.

manishalive · 10th November 2009, 22:47

Dude,

Where are you repairing your Car??? Indiranagar??? Is your Car from Jamshedpur???

What ever Its a very nice car. I met the mechanic for restoration of my Select and he showed me your car. We will meet some time and talk more.

Ramsagar · 11th November 2009, 13:19

Looks good in piece. Sai is the best place for paint job.
Cant wait to see after restoration.

spike · 12th November 2009, 21:52

Thanks Manish i will reach out to Jadsons for the rubber. I guess you were referring to my car. Yes the pull starter does work very well it also has a hand accelerator.

The scrap down has begun I will upload picture of the progress soon

the mole · 12th November 2009, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

Thanks Manish i will reach out to Jadsons for the rubber. I guess you were referring to my car. Yes the pull starter does work very well it also has a hand accelerator.

The scrap down has begun I will upload picture of the progress soon

Hi spike welcome to the Fiat Community, jut a word of advice be very careful about the cosmetics on the dashboard like the Millecento Badge etc. If mislaced or broken you will never find one again. Best of luck and do post some pics of work in progress. You do have a very nice car in pretty original condition.

sierrakamat · 12th November 2009, 23:30

come to mumbai all trims including rubber beadings are available at opera house also anything can be found at chor bazar .there are specialists dealing with these kind of things

beetle_boy · 13th November 2009, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

Hi folks,

Spike

Hi Spike,

Welcome and congrats for the lovely car u have picked up. Let me tell you even i have recently picked up a millicento and under the process of restoration, lets meet up sometimes and dicuss if you need any parts where i can help you.

All the very best for you project.

Regards,
Saleem

arun1100 · 13th November 2009, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by beetle_boy

Hi Spike,

Welcome and congrats for the lovely car u have picked up. Let me tell you even i have recently picked up a millicento and under the process of restoration, lets meet up sometimes and dicuss if you need any parts where i can help you.

All the very best for you project.

Regards,
Saleem

Sorry

One more guy in Bangalore, Aravind Kannan has bought a 1957 Elegant(APY 1800) from Vizag. He is a Tbhpian.. Will tell him to start a new thread.

Prabal · 20th November 2009, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

In 56, when the meter became a large one piece unit, this light was placed on the left and the right of the meter, depending on the model. For later models you could rotate the light to increase or decrease the intensity. Not sure about this model.

Are we talking about the Elegant here?

DHABHAR.BEHRAM · 20th November 2009, 13:22

Dear Karl, Rony and all - is this an original elegant or a millicento? The front panel on which the grille is fitted seems to be of the elegant, as are the round meters. Or was the round meter car called millicento? Please clarify.

Personally, I prefer the 3 slot grille / round meter car anyday over the centre light car.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

9th November 2009, 10:54	#16
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,590 Thanked: 6,532 Times View My Garage	Car looks pretty clean to work with. Take Jaggu's suggestion about Sai Colorium. Best part is both the bumpers look clean and they probably don't need much hammering. Look for a right chrome plating place. VijayLakshmi Near Cantonment station was the name. I don't know if they're still doing the same. Oh yes, remove those toggle switches and that light (sitting in between meters) from the dashboard.
	() Thanks

10th November 2009, 22:47	#22
manishalive Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,514 Thanked: 1,082 Times	Dude, Where are you repairing your Car??? Indiranagar??? Is your Car from Jamshedpur??? What ever Its a very nice car. I met the mechanic for restoration of my Select and he showed me your car. We will meet some time and talk more.
	() Thanks

11th November 2009, 13:19	#23
Ramsagar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BLR_Nellore(AP) Posts: 1,396 Thanked: 252 Times View My Garage	Looks good in piece. Sai is the best place for paint job. Cant wait to see after restoration.
	() Thanks

12th November 2009, 21:52	#24
spike Newbie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4 Thanked: 0 Times	Thanks Manish i will reach out to Jadsons for the rubber. I guess you were referring to my car. Yes the pull starter does work very well it also has a hand accelerator. The scrap down has begun I will upload picture of the progress soon
	() Thanks

12th November 2009, 23:30	#26
sierrakamat BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: mumbai Posts: 246 Thanked: 77 Times View My Garage	come to mumbai all trims including rubber beadings are available at opera house also anything can be found at chor bazar .there are specialists dealing with these kind of things
	() Thanks

20th November 2009, 13:22	#30
DHABHAR.BEHRAM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 3,060 Thanked: 5,354 Times	Dear Karl, Rony and all - is this an original elegant or a millicento? The front panel on which the grille is fitted seems to be of the elegant, as are the round meters. Or was the round meter car called millicento? Please clarify. Personally, I prefer the 3 slot grille / round meter car anyday over the centre light car. Best regards, Behram Dhabhar Last edited by DHABHAR.BEHRAM : 20th November 2009 at 13:23. Reason: add info
	() Thanks