1964 FIAT 500D Trasformabile

This Fiat 500 Trasformabile was built in 1964 but first registered in the UK in May 2020.

It underwent a thorough, professional restoration in Italy in 2017, including conversion to right hand drive. The body was stripped, repaired where needed and the Fiat was rebuilt to the first UK owner’s specifications.

This included a larger 650cc engine from the later Fiat 126. This motor has (slightly) more power at around 24bhp, making it more usable in modern city traffic, but it doesn’t fundamentally change the character or sound of the car. On completion, the owner imported the car to the UK to form part of his collection of Fiat 500s and microcars.

The current owner - a collector of classic cars - had been looking for one like this for some while and jumped at the chance when it came up for sale. When not in use the car has been stored in a heated garage along with the other classics and only taken out on dry, salt-free days.

The exterior of the 500 is finished in a lovely heritage shade of Pistachio Green, which presents very well indeed with no obvious blemishes or damage evident. The panel gaps and shutlines are as good as, or better than, you would expect from such a car.

The car appears to sit a little nose-high - possibly a result of a slightly heavier engine in the rear or maybe it just needs a full fuel tank and occupants up front to balance things out.

New chrome brightwork was fitted to the car during the restoration and it still looks in very good condition now, although the waist line strip on the nearside has come away slightly at the rear. The light grey fabric of the folding/sliding “trasformabile” roof also looks in good order, with a clear and crease-free rear flexi window.

Given the small front boot, the addition of a luggage rack attached to the engine cover at the rear was a popular - and stylish - addition. This particular one is an even more stylish combination of chromed metal and wooden runners and carries a wicker picnic basket, secured by leather straps.

Such was the attention to detail in accessorising this little car that the lining material and tableware inside the basket are green to go with the colour of the 500. There’s also a picnic blanket, although that’s a red tartan - but aren’t they all?

The car sits on white-painted, 12-inch steel wheels, fitted with chrome-dome hubcaps. Some of the rim-edges are a little wavy in places but otherwise present well. All are shod with Deestone tyres, fitted new during the restoration.

The rear-hinged “suicide” doors, far from facilitating self-harm (although we do recommend ensuring that the doors are properly latched before driving), make it much easier to get in and out of such a small car with any degree of dignity - particularly if accessing the rear bench seat.

The seats are upholstered in a tan vinyl with cream piping. There are also cream cappings on the front seats. The door cards are covered in a matching tan. All soft upholstery looks in super condition with no damage or wear that we can see.

The centre console and floor controls are in black but up front the dashboard - along with most of the upright interior surfaces - is Pistachio Green body work. The steering wheel and the binnacle for the solitary instrument are in a classic off-white plastic, which contrasts nicely against the green body and the black trim.

The charcoal grey carpets are recent replacements and present well.

The front boot of the 500 has a small amount of space for luggage to one side, the remainder being taken up by the fuel tank and spare wheel. Also present is a jack and a small Fiat toolkit.

The undersides of the car are remarkably clean and undamaged - perhaps unsurprising given that it has spent most of the time since its restoration properly housed among a collection. The mechanicals and running gear contrast in black against the almost unmarked green paint of the bodywork.

Up front, the steering mechanism, transverse leaf spring and damper struts are easy to see and access for any maintenance. At the rear, the same is true of the coil springs, transmission and engine. It looks like the exhaust was sprayed with a silver paint to tidy things up but clearly it wasn’t a heat-resistant coating as it is now badly peeling and scruffy. A bit of a shame as everything else underneath is very well presented.

During the restoration, the 499cc engine was replaced with a freshly rebuilt and upgraded 24bhp 650cc unit from the later Fiat 126, also adding an improved synchromesh gearbox. In addition, a new braking system was fitted along with new cables, rubbers and a new wiring loom. As with the undersides, the engine bay is as clean as it is simple.

As an historic vehicle, this Fiat 500D is exempt from an annual MOT and hasn’t therefore been tested.

We always encourage classic car owners to have their cars tested annually. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner and any subsequent purchasers but is also invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

There’s no history file to speak of, just the bill of sale and a current V5C.

As we’ve already alluded to, a 500D with suicide doors and trasformabile roof is a very hard thing to find. To find one in such a good condition as this is even harder still. We often say that rarity is no guarantee of desirability but in this case both adjectives are perfectly apt.

The car goes very well with a good deal more pep than the standard 500, thanks to the more usable but still characterful 126 engine. We think this beautifully restored Fiat 500D Trasformabile will sell for between £15,000 and £20,000.

Such is the simplicity of the Nuova 500 that what you see is exactly what you get - there’s nowhere for anything untoward to hide. We like what we see and we think you will too.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.