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Car · Engine, brakes, suspension and underside
Fiat 500 A Topolino
A first-series Topolino still on its black Genoa plate: engine removed and put right, brakes, leaf springs and underside freed of rust, all the way to today's light blue.
- Model
- Fiat 500 A Topolino
- Built
- 1936–1948
- Engine
- 4 cylinders, 569 cc
- Colour
- Light blue
- Plate
- Period black Genoa plate
- Work
- Engine, brakes, suspension, underside
The story
The Fiat 500 A, launched in 1936, is the first Topolino: two seats, a small four-cylinder engine up front with the radiator behind it, and the narrow, rounded nose that made it famous. For many Italians it was the first family car.
This one arrived at the workshop complete but dusty, laid up for a long time, with an oily engine and mechanics in need of attention. The work started underneath: engine out, brakes, axles and leaf springs taken apart and cleaned, chassis checked inch by inch.
The restoration step by step
From underneath, piece by piece
- Step 1 of 6
How it arrived
Complete and on its black plate, but covered in dust and laid up for years. Interior and dashboard still in place, engine covered in oil.
as it arrived at the workshop 
the rear before the work, with the spare wheel 
interior and dashboard before the work - Step 2 of 6
Engine out
The engine comes out on the hoist and the bay is left empty: bulkhead, mounts and pipes can then be cleaned and checked.
the engine before the restoration 
the engine lifted out on the hoist 
the empty engine bay, ready for cleaning - Step 3 of 6
Under the body
With the car lifted you see everything: rusty leaf springs, old grease and dirt on the rear axle and chassis. It is all cleaned, treated and protected.
under the body: dirt and rust 
the rusty leaf springs 
the rear axle before cleaning 
the chassis with its lightening holes - Step 4 of 6
Brakes and hubs
Drums, backplates, shoes and wheel cylinders taken apart wheel by wheel: rust removed, worn parts replaced, everything refitted clean.
a hub with its rusty brake backplate 
brake and hub to be overhauled 
shoes, springs and wheel cylinder - Step 5 of 6
The engine back in place
The engine goes back into its bay, clean and in order, with pipes and connections back where they belong.
the engine after the restoration 
the engine bay, clean and tidy - Step 6 of 6
Period details
The driver's seat with the three-spoke wheel and the painted metal dashboard; on the pillar, the trafficator that swings up to signal a turn.
the driver's seat with the three-spoke wheel 
the trafficator on the door pillar
As it is today
Do you have a Topolino or a small classic Fiat to get back on the road?
From the mechanics to the small period details, Mimmo handles all the work in the workshop, including for clients in Switzerland. Write or call him to talk it over.
More restorations
This is only a small selection: over the years Mimmo has restored many more cars and trucks, and we'll keep adding them from the workshop's photo books.
