1972 Fiat 500 L

29 July 2025 – The Purchase Story

Meet Giuseppe — my accidental soulmate on four wheels. I found him on eBay, where a small “glitch” in the listing convinced me he was waiting for me in Penryn, Wrexham. Perfect, I thought. Except… not quite. Turns out Giuseppe was actually basking in the Cornish sunshine down in Penryn, Cornwall.

Through a bizarre chain of coincidences (and a sprinkle of fate), Giuseppe still landed on my driveway that very day. Against all odds, it felt like destiny — clearly, this little Fiat had chosen me.

30 July 2025 – First Drive Nerves

Confession: I bought this car without ever laying eyes on it. Bold? Maybe. Foolish? Almost certainly. Luckily, my colleague Mr. K — absolute legend — lived close enough to check it out before money changed hands.

That first drive was unforgettable. Everything worked as it should, though the old-school drum brakes left me gripping the wheel a little tighter than I’d like. Still, I couldn’t stop grinning.

02 Aug 2025 – The Engine Twist

Plot twist: Giuseppe isn’t who he says he is. While the logbook claimed a humble 499cc engine, my sharp-eyed friend spotted a “650” mark on the block. Translation? More power, a 4-speed synchromesh gearbox, and — oh yes — an insurance company who wanted another £40 off me.

Was I annoyed? A bit. Do I care? Absolutely not. More power is always welcome. As for the previous owner… let’s just say his memory of what’s under the bonnet seems suspiciously fuzzy.

04 Aug 2025 – Fresh Boots

Giuseppe strutted out of JB Rubber in Corby with four brand-new Pirelli Cinturato tyres. Classic look, perfect grip. He’s already feeling sharper on the road.

17 Aug 2025 – Wiring Meltdown (Almost Literally)

Disaster (almost). While showing Giuseppe off to a mate, I flicked on the headlights for the first time. Within seconds: smoke billowing from under the bonnet. Wires melted, insulation frayed, and the fuel tank sitting a little too close for comfort.

Turns out someone had installed a 30-amp fuse where a 5-amp should’ve been. Instead of blowing, it let the wires keep cooking. Terrifying, but thankfully no harm done — except to my nerves.

19 Aug 2025 – The Fix

With the dodgy wires cut out and replaced with proper-grade wiring, shielded connectors, and loom wrap, Giuseppe was back in business. Fuse downgraded to the correct 5-amp, problem solved.

Cause of chaos? A slightly oversized spare wheel pressing on two wires until they rubbed through. Simple mistake, expensive lesson.

24 Aug 2025 – Show Time!

Giuseppe’s debut: the A47 Auto Jumble.

This little Fiat stole the spotlight. Kids pointed, adults smiled, and I couldn’t stop grinning behind the wheel. He made the trip there and back flawlessly, topping out at a heart-stopping 65mph. (Yes, terrifying. No, I didn’t try it twice.)

07 Sep 2025 – The Bonnet Incident 😱

Prepping for the next show, Giuseppe got some love: new steering wheel, gear knob, and ordered replacements for the cracked window liners. Everything felt ready.

Then… disaster struck. Cruising onto the A14, BANG! — the bonnet flew open. Suddenly, I was driving blind. Panic. Hazards. Horns. Thankfully, a quick-thinking friend behind me slowed traffic and gave me cover to stop safely.

Miraculously, the only casualty was the bonnet itself. How, I’ll never know. My working theory: I simply didn’t latch it properly after cleaning. Lesson learned: I now double-check every closure like my life depends on it.

A replacement bonnet was sourced, fitted, and is now awaiting paint and decals. Crisis averted — story gained.

08 Sep 2025 – PaintFX & More Mods

Huge shoutout to Tim at PaintFX, who’s rescuing my new bonnet with a perfect respray. While collecting the bonnet, temptation got the better of me… and I walked away with a twin-pipe Monza exhaust and an aluminium number plate tail. Giuseppe’s about to get louder and prettier.

Also in the parts pile: fresh window guide liners and seals, ready to replace the tired, perishing ones currently clinging on.

26 Sep 2025 – The Bonnet is Back!

At long last, the bonnet has returned! Huge thanks to Tim at PaintFX for getting it resprayed and looking the part again. The moment it was back in my hands, I wasted no time – straight to work, eager to see the car whole once more.

Fitting it, of course, wasn’t without drama. A few alignment quirks cropped up, most of which seem to trace back to the bonnet catch itself. But honestly? In that moment, I didn’t care. After weeks of waiting, just seeing the car take shape again had me grinning ear to ear.

Over the following days, I rolled it outside to tackle the Monza exhaust and bracket. Miraculously, every stubborn nut and bolt I expected to fight me actually gave way without complaint. The exhaust was nearly in place… until I discovered I’d grabbed the wrong copper gaskets. The set I had was for the manifold, not the exhaust. Typical! Thankfully, Toto at Ricambi came to the rescue, promising the correct ones.

Still, I wasn’t about to let a gasket hiccup keep me off the road. I got a little creative – crudely reshaping what I had just enough to make it work. With the car fired up and warming through, I crouched in close to admire my handiwork. Big mistake. One careless lean later, and I’d branded my forehead on hot metal. Lesson learned: the car has a wicked sense of humour, and it’s more than happy to keep me on my toes.

Not to be deterred, I carried on. Chrome washer jets went in, new window liners and seals followed, and slowly but surely this little machine is coming together.

More updates (and plenty of photos) on the way – because something tells me the adventure is only just beginning.

26 Oct 2025 – MITCAR 2025 & More!

It’s been a month since my last update, and what a month it’s been! Giuseppe is officially a winner! At MITCAR 2025, he picked up a Special Award — apparently, he drew so much attention that the judges couldn’t ignore him. It was an incredible day, and I can’t thank the Alfa Romeo Owners Club enough for putting on such a brilliant event and making everyone feel welcome.

Of course, owning an old Italian car means the celebrations never last too long before something starts rattling. Not long after MITCAR, Giuseppe’s new exhaust and bracket decided to loosen themselves — most likely because I hadn’t tightened them quite enough (lesson learned!). While fixing that, I discovered the manifold bolts going into the block were… unusual. After a fair bit of head-scratching and research, I found out they’re actually 1½ inch (38.1mm) UNC hex bolts. My best guess? The originals must’ve snapped years ago and someone re-tapped the block. Naturally, I ordered the correct replacements straight away.

On the maintenance front, Giuseppe’s had a few other treats: new HT leads, a fresh fuel filter, new spark plugs, and a shiny flywheel dust cover — something that was completely missing before. The oil change is still on the to-do list, but that can wait until spring. The best part is that none of these jobs have broken the bank. They’re simple, satisfying fixes — and honestly, I enjoy working on the car almost as much as I enjoy driving it.

Looking ahead, I’ve got a few upgrades planned: a bit of paintwork on the roof where there’s a crack (it came that way), disc brakes, a new speedo cable, and possibly some fresh manifolds, since the current ones are looking a little tired. And who knows — maybe a few spontaneous mods along the way.

For now, Giuseppe will be taking it easy through the winter, tucked up in the garage, hibernating until spring. When the weather warms up, we’ll be back out at shows — and now that he’s officially part of the Fiat 500 Owners Club, we’re looking forward to meeting some new friends and fellow enthusiasts.

Here’s to another chapter of adventures with Giuseppe — a little louder, a little looser, and always full of character.

Giuseppe – A 1972 Fiat 500 Available for Hire

Add a touch of vintage Italian charm to your special occasion with Giuseppe, a beautifully kept classic Fiat 500 from 1972.

Perfect for:

• ✨ Prom arrivals – Make your entrance unforgettable.
• 💍 Weddings – A unique and stylish way to arrive, especially for the groom heading to the ceremony.
• 🎉 Special occasions & photo shoots – Capture timeless memories with a true icon of Italian design.

Details:

• Classic 1972 Fiat 500 in excellent condition
• Supplied with a driver/chauffeur
• Ideal for short journeys, photo opportunities, and stylish arrivals

Bring a smile, turn heads, and create memories with Giuseppe.