General First inspection of a newly bought 1963 Fiat 500

[Kappa7089]

Hi All,

So my car arrives at the port in Dubai next week, which I bought sight unseen from Italy. Does anyone have any suggestions on what they’d check first on the car? The engine is new and still has the break-in oil, but the rest of the engine components and running gear are used or reconditioned. It’s been driven for only two weeks by the dealer before shipping.

Thanks!

 

[the hobbler]

Hi All,

So my car arrives at the port in Dubai next week, which I bought sight unseen from Italy. Does anyone have any suggestions on what they’d check first on the car? The engine is new and still has the break-in oil, but the rest of the engine components and running gear are used or reconditioned. It’s been driven for only two weeks by the dealer before shipping.

Thanks!

Give the body-work a VERY good check-over--ALL over, before driving it any distance, and if possible with a competent mechanic along with you. "Fully restored" cars coming out of Italy, sadly, have a reputation of being"not all that they claim to be"! The expression in England is"front gate warranty" i.e out of his sight and it is then out of his mind. All the mechanical parts are (relatively) easily obtainable.
Check the colour of the oil---after only 2 weeksof usage, it should still be very clean. If all is well with the engine,run it in with the "break-in" oil forabout 500 miles, then change it (AND clean the end-of-crankshaft oil filter) for a GOOD quality 20/50 oil. Basically, as with any "bought unseen" vehilcleit requires a very good check over a quickly as possible after collecting it from the docks. Do they have anything like the "AA" or "RAC" in Dubai that could give it a proffesional AND independent inspection? If there is such an organisation---use it!

 

[Kappa7089]

Give the body-work a VERY good check-over--ALL over, before driving it any distance, and if possible with a competent mechanic along with you. "Fully restored" cars coming out of Italy, sadly, have a reputation of being"not all that they claim to be"! The expression in England is"front gate warranty" i.e out of his sight and it is then out of his mind. All the mechanical parts are (relatively) easily obtainable.
Check the colour of the oil---after only 2 weeksof usage, it should still be very clean. If all is well with the engine,run it in with the "break-in" oil forabout 500 miles, then change it (AND clean the end-of-crankshaft oil filter) for a GOOD quality 20/50 oil. Basically, as with any "bought unseen" vehilcleit requires a very good check over a quickly as possible after collecting it from the docks. Do they have anything like the "AA" or "RAC" in Dubai that could give it a proffesional AND independent inspection? If there is such an organisation---use it!

Thanks for the reply. I could take it in for an inspection at a classic car garage that’s familiar with Fiats. I’m concerned mostly about the brakes. I will check the oil color immediately.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

I'd be more concerned about the bodywork!!! paint and filler hides lots of tack welds that should be seamed...