Your essential guide to restoring Italian classic cars – supported by FD Ricambi, your specialist for Fiat models including 500, 600, 126, 850, 124, Topolino and Panda 141.
Restoring a classic Fiat is one of those rare projects that combines learning, creativity, and pride. Whether you’re getting started on your first restoration or have already rebuilt a few, working on these small but iconic cars is deeply rewarding. Models like the Fiat 500, 600, 126, 850, 124, Topolino or Panda each have their own charm, and each tells a story worth preserving.
In this guide, we follow the restoration of our Fiat 500 L project – but the steps you’ll find here apply just as well to other classic Fiat models. You’ll find practical advice, tools, and examples for each part of the journey, from first teardown to that satisfying first drive.
And while this is your project, you’re not doing it alone. At FD Ricambi, we’re here to help – with quality parts, expert advice, and a shared passion for keeping these cars on the road.
Step 1: Plan Your Classic Fiat Restoration Project
Set Your Goal
What kind of result are you aiming for? A perfectly restored Fiat 500 L that looks just like it did the day it left the factory? A solid, reliable Fiat 126 to enjoy on weekend drives? Or maybe you're bringing back the old Panda your family once owned, so it can tell its story once again?
Every classic Fiat has its own character, and your personal goal will shape the choices you make during the project — original or custom, show car or daily classic. Think it through and let that vision guide your steps.
In our case, this is the 500 L before we got started – the result you will see at the end!
Create the Right Workspace
This will be your base for the coming months. A clean, well-lit garage with space around the car is ideal. You’ll need a safe way to lift the vehicle, a place to store all removed parts, and room for cleaning, repairing, and painting.
Get Equipped
Basic tools will get you a long way: socket sets, screwdrivers, pliers, torque wrench. For disassembly, lifting the engine, or pressing bushings, you might borrow or rent tools. Make a checklist and plan ahead. A workshop manual is gold — FD Ricambi offers them in print and PDF for many Fiat models.
Talk to Others First
Ask advice from someone who’s done a restoration before. What worked? What would they do differently? Ask us at FD Ricambi for help identifying tricky parts or estimating the cost for specific sections.
Build a Realistic Budget
Break it down into categories: bodywork, paint, engine, suspension, interior, parts. Classic Fiats are affordable, but costs can rise quickly if you run into rust or rare parts. FD Ricambi lists all part prices clearly, helping you stay in control.
Document the Car
Start your restoration diary with photos, videos and notes. Label everything you take off. Use bags, boxes, and containers to organise bolts and clips by section. This will save you time — and frustration — later.
Step 2: Disassemble the Car Carefully
Interior First
Remove seats, carpets, door cards, dashboard and roof lining. Disconnect switches and wiring gently. Some parts may be fragile due to age — take your time. Store them safely, label them, and keep similar parts together.
Wiring
Unplug and label each connection. Take photos of the wiring layout. In most cases, the original wiring is too aged to reuse — consider installing a new loom or harness for reliability and safety.
Engine and Gearbox
Drain oil, fuel and coolant before removing the powertrain. Use an engine crane if available. Label all cables, hoses and linkages. Even if you're keeping your original engine, this is the right time to inspect everything. FD Ricambi offers gasket kits and remanufactured engines if needed.
Exterior Trim
Remove bumpers, headlights, mirrors, indicators, chrome strips and badges. Some clips may break — FD Ricambi supplies replacement trim and clips. Photograph the mounting points for later.
Glass and Seals
Remove the windows carefully. Front and rear glass are often tight in their rubber seals. Use plastic tools and keep the original rubbers as references for fitting new seal kits.
Place your Fiat into a tilting bridge
This piece of equipment is much advised as it will be of great help to you. In case you do not have a tilting bridge, you can position the body on a couple of jack stands.
Remove everything underneath
With the body lifted, you can now remove the front and rear suspensions, brakes, steering rack etc. Also now do make sure you take note on what needs replacing and repairing.
Suspension, Brakes, Steering
With the car on jack stands or a rotisserie, remove wheels, leaf springs or coils, shock absorbers, steering rack, and brake components. These wear parts are easy to replace. Find correct parts in our suspension and brake sections.
Step 3: Bodywork – Clean, Repair, Prepare
Strip the Shell
Remove all remaining paint and coatings. Use a heat gun for old undercoating (tectyl), then degrease and sandblast the underbody and chassis. NEVER sandblast the body panels – they are too thin. Use acid dipping or soda blasting instead. Consider acid dipping the whole car to reach difficult places.
Rust Repair and Panel Work
Inspect all structural areas for rust: sills, floor, wheel arches, battery tray. Cut out bad sections and weld in fresh steel. FD Ricambi stocks a wide range of replacement panels for Fiat classics.
Filler and Primer
After welding, apply body filler where needed. Sand smooth and level all surfaces. Use etch primer on bare metal and high-build primer on filled areas. Wet-sand everything to 500-grit before painting.
Step 4: Paint and Protect
Paintwork
If you're an experienced painter with the right equipment, go ahead. Otherwise, let a professional handle the paint. Choose from original Fiat colours or your own custom choice. FD Ricambi’s technical center includes colour code references.
Underbody Protection
Once painted, protect the underside with modern coatings. This guards against rust, stones, and moisture — especially important if you plan to drive year-round.
Step 5: Reassemble with Care
Now you’ll be glad you made all those photos, videos, labels and notes. Your mechanical skills and creativity come together here.
Preparing
Create a clean, safe workspace. Set up four tables (one for each corner of the car) with the relevant parts laid out. Use the Fiat 500 workshop manual for guidance.
Chassis
- Mount rubber sealing caps
- Extend all cables and brake lines
- Be careful not to damage paint
Wiring Up
Use labeled old wiring as a reference. FD Ricambi offers new looms and electrical diagrams. Avoid routing wires near moving parts.
Suspension and Brakes
Refit arms, springs, shocks, and steering. Replace or rebuild all hydraulic parts. Consider a dual-circuit or disc upgrade.
Mount Engine
Replace engine mounts. Use FD Ricambi’s remanufactured units if needed. Connect electrics and test for leaks. Add an earth switch for safety.
Step 6: Interior and Final Touches
Upholstery
Install new foams, springs, and covers. Always remove old upholstery first. Align and fix the new covers cleanly to seat frames.
Install the Roof
Clean and prep the frame. Carefully stretch new fabric, mount with correct rivets, and avoid cold weather installation.
Dashboard, Carpets, Details
Install dashboard, headliner, sound insulation, carpets, switches, mirrors, badges and trims. Align everything precisely.
First Start and Road Test
Top up all fluids. Start the engine and check systems. Take a gentle test drive to ensure all components work smoothly.
Inspired? Start your Fiat restoration today — and know FD Ricambi is with you at every step!
Visit www.fdricambi.com or email info@fdricambi.com