Car SOS new series starts this Monday on More4 in the UK, and guess what, the car they are doing is a Fiat 500, should be interesting to see what Fuzz thinks. I think it starts at 9. Happy Viewing
General Car SOS Monday
- Thread starter Middlewich
- Start date
Currently reading:
General Car SOS Monday
Not competly new, It was shown in April last year. Worth watching if you didn't catch it first time around.
Robert G8RPI.
Robert G8RPI.
Reminder.
the hobbler
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2012
- Messages
- 4,359
- Points
- 1,095
It IS new if, like me, you are a tight old git. Last time it was shown was on 'Satellite' TV---this is the 1st time that this particular programme has been shown on 'terrestrial' (i.e. 'freeview)---It should be very interesting--be ready for a bit of a surprise!!
Final call.
Bigvtwin996
Established member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2011
- Messages
- 1,394
- Points
- 445
I guess this is the one where they "Ring" a car... or is that the other lot
and do yet another kit car/Air-fix restoration...
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to send every thing to someone else to rebuilt or replace everything else with new repro stuff...
and do yet another kit car/Air-fix restoration...
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to send every thing to someone else to rebuilt or replace everything else with new repro stuff...
Last edited:
Even more depressing than the previous similar programs on the 500 as regards the "restoration" ; it's got to now be the least original 500 around (does it matter?). But also one of the most heart-warming of this series I have seen with respect to the recipient's genuine pleasure and surprise. Well it had to be...it's a Fiat 500!!!
; it's got to now be the least original 500 around (does it matter?). But also one of the most heart-warming of this series I have seen with respect to the recipient's genuine pleasure and surprise. Well it had to be...it's a Fiat 500!!!
OP
OP
Forgetting the resto (or new bits and body) there was loads of warmth from Fuzz and Tim about the little Fiat, and as Peter says a genuine good cause.
I am not sure even the most seasoned restorer would have tackled that body
I am not sure even the most seasoned restorer would have tackled that body
Bigvtwin996
Established member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2011
- Messages
- 1,394
- Points
- 445
Westgate Classics (opps Fuzz's old garage) is 2 miles from me.....
I know the guys who work there.... the ones you only see once in a while....
the ones who do 90% of the work.....
The shell was restorable... but the show has a 2 week window for the resto, as that is the production schedule..
The stories are all heartwarming....
and the number of cars they actually view before choosing the one they decide to use is more than you think...
Or does everyone think when they see the car it is the first time???
And obviously they know the story behind it as well..
They visited an old chaps house near a friend who let them view his car while he was out, he was very deserving.... unfortunately they came back to say they couldn't restore the car because they couldn't get the parts...
but the truth does not make good tv...
I know the guys who work there.... the ones you only see once in a while....
the ones who do 90% of the work.....
The shell was restorable... but the show has a 2 week window for the resto, as that is the production schedule..
The stories are all heartwarming....
and the number of cars they actually view before choosing the one they decide to use is more than you think...
Or does everyone think when they see the car it is the first time???
And obviously they know the story behind it as well..
They visited an old chaps house near a friend who let them view his car while he was out, he was very deserving.... unfortunately they came back to say they couldn't restore the car because they couldn't get the parts...
but the truth does not make good tv...
Last edited:
I liked the little bit of footage showing the Fiat production line, back in the day.
Wasn't it a great idea that Fiat put their test track on the roof of the factory, it meant every car had to be able to climb 'hills'....
One thing I was reminded of at the end, even the keys that Fiat used had style!
AL.
Wasn't it a great idea that Fiat put their test track on the roof of the factory, it meant every car had to be able to climb 'hills'....
One thing I was reminded of at the end, even the keys that Fiat used had style!
AL.
Whilst I am in no way implying that anything wrong was done, it was interesting that it was emphasised how important it was that the replacement body-shell must carry documentation. But as it was self-imported from Italy inside a van, and (cunningly?), as it was not a full car but therefore simply a component, I suspect that it avoided (evaded?) some of the "red tape" around import and registration.
The (deliberate?) mistake was to acid-dip the body-shell before having first welded in new floors and sills as well as other structural components which almost always seem to be needed...that body-shell not being uniquely rusty from my experience.
I hope that the roof became a donor to another vehicle and the jokey comments about the crusher were just that.
it was interesting that it was emphasised how important it was that the replacement body-shell must carry documentation. But as it was self-imported from Italy inside a van, and (cunningly?), as it was not a full car but therefore simply a component, I suspect that it avoided (evaded?) some of the "red tape" around import and registration. The (deliberate?) mistake was to acid-dip the body-shell before having first welded in new floors and sills as well as other structural components which almost always seem to be needed...that body-shell not being uniquely rusty from my experience.
I hope that the roof became a donor to another vehicle and the jokey comments about the crusher were just that.
thisisburdett
New member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2014
- Messages
- 130
- Points
- 43
I hadn't thought of that.
It was lovely to see what the car meant to that poor chap, but I was cringing as I anticipated them having to tell him that it wasn't actually the car he thought it was.
I guess it wasn't truly sentimental as he himself had bought it 10years ago as a resto, it's not like it was a runner he'd shared with his wife, the number plate seemed to hold the biggest sentiment.
But like I said, I hadn't thought about that work around for an import. No import business with that as they were effectively 'panels' ?! ...and then it keeps the British docs despite being a whole new shell....CAR.
That was stronging it slightly to say they rescued his car wasn't it?
...Although always a pleasure to watch a 500 on the telly box. (Even if the other popular 500 resto on the tv loop was a bit dodgy too...with those bloody stripes!)
It was lovely to see what the car meant to that poor chap, but I was cringing as I anticipated them having to tell him that it wasn't actually the car he thought it was.
I guess it wasn't truly sentimental as he himself had bought it 10years ago as a resto, it's not like it was a runner he'd shared with his wife, the number plate seemed to hold the biggest sentiment.
But like I said, I hadn't thought about that work around for an import. No import business with that as they were effectively 'panels' ?! ...and then it keeps the British docs despite being a whole new shell....CAR.
That was stronging it slightly to say they rescued his car wasn't it?
...Although always a pleasure to watch a 500 on the telly box. (Even if the other popular 500 resto on the tv loop was a bit dodgy too...with those bloody stripes!)
Yes "SLIGHTLY!"
The windscreen may have been off the original car. I wonder what happened to the original registration as shown, when the sentimental number-plate was transferred?
I suspect that it avoided (evaded?) some of the "red tape" around import and registration.
Maybe I'm being a bit over-suspicious.
I did a bit of I'll shut up now and get me coat. :bang:
Peter may be right about the registration. I had a look at the guidance from the DVLA.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/reconstructed-classic-vehicles
Rather confusing, but it looks as though it should have been registered on a Q plate as the vehicle does not represent a true copy of an original vehicle. I understand that a personal registration cannot be transferred to a vehicle that has been registered with a Q plate as the Q plate is a warning that the car's age cannot be determined.
It's all rather confusing and I doubt that the DVLA can even understand the regulations.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/reconstructed-classic-vehicles
Rather confusing, but it looks as though it should have been registered on a Q plate as the vehicle does not represent a true copy of an original vehicle. I understand that a personal registration cannot be transferred to a vehicle that has been registered with a Q plate as the Q plate is a warning that the car's age cannot be determined.
It's all rather confusing and I doubt that the DVLA can even understand the regulations.
They seemed to have a good grasp of it when I was trying to regain the registration for my 1969 500, for which I had an unblemished green logbook, both original number-plates and matching chassis and engine numbers.
As well as a visit to the local VOSA office for a physical examination of the numbers, I had to get a certificate from the Fiat 500 Club and accept an age-related number in the first instance.
The car registration-plate shown in the opening sequence of the programme is listed as belonging to a Fiat 500 and awaiting first MOT implying that the vehicle was never tested under that number.
I said I'd shut up didn't I?
Bigvtwin996
Established member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2011
- Messages
- 1,394
- Points
- 445
not saying this happens.....
but in Europe is very hard to register a car unless it has documents....
but the UK is very lenient...
So (perhaps) cars are brought here (or shells) to permit their registration then re exported...
Interesting that this 1958 car has no Original Jolly parts...
and the shell seems to be a much later shell with pre 60 panels at the front and repro rear lights, later post 65 Speedo, and lots of basic jolly replica errors.....and seems to have a F front badge....
and a Shell was imported to facilitate it's rebuild...
Where could one acquire a Jolly body-shell from???
http://www.andysaunders.net/fiat-500/
If I had found an original dilapidated Jolly..... I think I may have saved a few parts or even taken measurements...
I guess celebrities etc are above all the normal laws...
but in Europe is very hard to register a car unless it has documents....
but the UK is very lenient...
So (perhaps) cars are brought here (or shells) to permit their registration then re exported...
Interesting that this 1958 car has no Original Jolly parts...
and the shell seems to be a much later shell with pre 60 panels at the front and repro rear lights, later post 65 Speedo, and lots of basic jolly replica errors.....and seems to have a F front badge....
and a Shell was imported to facilitate it's rebuild...
Where could one acquire a Jolly body-shell from???
http://www.andysaunders.net/fiat-500/
If I had found an original dilapidated Jolly..... I think I may have saved a few parts or even taken measurements...
I guess celebrities etc are above all the normal laws...
Last edited:
the hobbler
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2012
- Messages
- 4,359
- Points
- 1,095
Why are we continuing to find fault with this programme!---so a later (basically 500L) shell with some different model bits on it was used to put a smile back onto a gents face--so what! If any of us had gone through what he had--lost his wife AND his son, would we criticise a car given back to us in a completely useable condition?--I think not!! The aim of this programme is to help people get back to something they really enjoy--using their classic car. Another 500 has gone back into general use, and an elderly gent has had a smile put back onto his face. Let's leave it at that, enjoy the programme---and be very grateful that we had not got to the position where we needed that sort of help.
By the way Peter---how did a 'Jolly' get into this topic?
By the way Peter---how did a 'Jolly' get into this topic?
I don't think we are finding fault with it as an entertainment programme and there have been several positive comments about the "feelgood" factor it generates. I'm sure we all share your pleasure at the "elderly" (really?) man's smile; as I said...it was genuine.
I'm just taking issue and having a bit of "fun" trying to unravel the harmless duplicity that was clearly demonstrated in creating a car and then saying that they restored one. I suggest that the other Peter, whilst technically going slightly off-topic (as is the habit with many of us), is showing us another case where someone famous has (allegedly) done a similar thing with a much rarer and more valuable car for financial gain rather than entertainment and a worthy cause.
By the way, the car's MOT expired last November and it wasn't renewed.
Mind you, that frequently seems to be the definition of "general use" for many Fiat 500s. As I said before a couple of times...I'll keep my mouth shut now.
(probably not!)
Last edited:
