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1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!

blackridge Part of things Posts: 70	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!blackridge @blackridge
	Mar 11, 2013 16:16:53 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Hello, I bought my little fiat 850t last summer and have been busy grinding, cutting, and welding trying to turn my little van into something unique. Got to admit that this van was abit of an impulse buy, I was on the look out for a project after finishing my vw t25 and saw this and thought that it would fit the bill. Here are some pictures the day I got it home, it was last on the road in 2010 and didnt look too bad on first inspection. Once I started to look a little closer it started to look far worse than I first though. Matters only got worse once it removed the pop top. And as a result of the various holes in the roof this is what was lurking on the inside! All scary stuff I'm sure you would agree! to make thing even more interesting at this point my welding skills were non existant! So for anyone that is interested in is rare little van and want to see how I am getting on I will post some more pictures of my progress in a couple of days. Thank for looking
	Last Edit: Sept 1, 2013 11:41:43 GMT by blackridge All I can say is that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me

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blackridge Part of things Posts: 70	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!blackridge @blackridge
	Mar 11, 2013 17:25:15 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	And here is my inspiration
	All I can say is that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me

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Deleted Posts: 0	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!Deleted @Deleted
	Mar 11, 2013 17:35:08 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Smart looking little thing!! also Realy liking the last pic you posted there!, Realy subtle looking one with the lowered front end... Look forward to seeing progress on yours, Looks like its a good project. Seen panda selectas 900 pandora? camper in the for sale forum?


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luckygti Posted a lot I need to try harder! Posts: 4,912	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!luckygti @luckygti
	Mar 11, 2013 19:54:10 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Love these vans, that does look very very rusty though can you get repair panels or is it all scratch made?
	T3 DoKa retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=85333 Mk 2 Escort retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=89059 The Mini retrorides.proboards.com/thread/183829/1993-italian-job-mini?page=1&scrollTo=2136383

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blackridge Part of things Posts: 70	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!blackridge @blackridge
	Mar 11, 2013 20:08:59 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	The only place that i could find panels was on italian ebay, not cheap with the postage but thats the price you pay for restoring a very rare van. And yes it was VERY rusty... as you will see though the body work is almost finished!!!!
	All I can say is that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me

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willemm Europe Posts: 135	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!willemm @willemm
	Mar 11, 2013 20:20:08 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	I'll like the thread,will follow this,I have also NO welding skills......so like to see how you are doing,and learn from it !


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blackridge Part of things Posts: 70	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!blackridge @blackridge
	Mar 11, 2013 20:48:06 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Right the first area that i set about sorting was the roof, i did have a good idea for a repair section and decided that i could use roof sections from a vw type 2! So out with the grinder i went. Here is the repair panel And this was the kind of metal that was being replaced. Then i did some more repairs to the roof. From this To this And this To this
	All I can say is that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me

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kingsmith Part of things Posts: 170	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!kingsmith @kingsmith
	Mar 11, 2013 20:52:48 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	good work, got some work ahead but looks like you know what you doing:-)
	1995 mk3 cavalier 1.8i 1972 1200 beetle 2010 1.2 fiat 500 "sometime's" 2000 suzuki gsxr 600 srad

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craigdmjv Part of things Posts: 69	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!craigdmjv @craigdmjv
	Mar 11, 2013 21:05:58 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	well done and you could ask my local 500 restoration centre 'weenie fiats swindon' if they could source panels for you as they managed to get parts for my cinq for the next day worth a shout as it most likely shares similar parts to the classic 500


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jpsmit Posted a lot Posts: 1,274	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!jpsmit @jpsmit
	Mar 11, 2013 22:22:41 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	outstanding! great inspiration for my Multipla - please keep us updated.


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blackridge Part of things Posts: 70	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!blackridge @blackridge
	Mar 11, 2013 22:27:03 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Rear corners next. And this scared the curse word out of me Nice oil filter box holding things together lol One side done. This side was a little more involved but got there in the end.
	All I can say is that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me

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blackridge Part of things Posts: 70	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!blackridge @blackridge
	Mar 11, 2013 22:44:24 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	As soon as the rear corners were done i thought i would change the rear lower panel at the back, i thought it would be an easy job as it is only bolted to the rear chassis legs, it also involved supporting the engine so i could undo the engine mount... easy or was it? Old panel was full of filler and too far gone to be worth spending any time on it. Here it is with my new panel again bought from italian ebay. But there was a problem! the engine mount was in the wrong place! So there was only one option... Worked a treat ;D Then the rear engine lid/hatch was bolted on. I then gave the rear a quick rub down and some primer was sprayed on.
	All I can say is that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me

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blackridge Part of things Posts: 70	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!blackridge @blackridge
	Mar 11, 2013 23:40:36 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	n/s Front lower panel and wheel arch. Then before i could do the other roof section i needed to fix the area above the rear door where the wat had made quite a mess and really took hold... Box section was used to give strengh. don't worry those wires were not there when i was welding That was the most rusty part of the whole van and i am so glad i managed to fix it.
	All I can say is that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me

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georgeb Posted hell of a lot Posts: 7,864	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!georgeb @georgeb
	Mar 12, 2013 0:46:11 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Bookmarked, a cracking little(ish) project!
	1995 Range Rover P38 4.6 HSE Letter from Manila

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79cord Posted a lot Posts: 2,617	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!79cord @79cord
	Mar 12, 2013 12:19:43 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Wow, looking great & very encouraging. Especially when it's shown straight away almost half done -even if it has taken a while to get that far!
	'79 HondaAccord, '89 CR-X SiR,'88 Integra '81 Prelude, '74 Z360H/top, '65 S600 '75 BetaCoupe, '73 Cortina, '65 Cortina forum.retro-rides.org/thread/36869/1979-accord-prelude-integra-civics or www.cardomain.com/id/79cord

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blackridge Part of things Posts: 70	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!blackridge @blackridge
	Mar 12, 2013 13:00:53 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Next up was the rear arches, they were in a right old state so thought the best thing to do would be to completly cut them out find some arch repair panels from another car that had a similar profile! Here is what the arches looked like after a good going over with a flap disc. Let cutting commence. Thats right ford capri mk2 arches work very well , added bonus that they are a little wider so bit more scope for wheels These were taken before the rear arches were done, but it gives you a good idea just how small these little vans are (my wife is only 5'6'')
	All I can say is that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me

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blackridge Part of things Posts: 70	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!blackridge @blackridge
	Mar 12, 2013 13:04:28 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Mar 12, 2013 12:19:43 GMT 79cord said: Wow, looking great & very encouraging. Especially when it's shown straight away almost half done -even if it has taken a while to get that far! Thanks, the photos so far takes it up to around chistmas time, as it stand ATM its almost ready for the final prep and the paint.
	All I can say is that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me

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willemm Europe Posts: 135	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!willemm @willemm
	Mar 13, 2013 13:41:10 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	WOW what a great progress...........and with little weldingskills.............PPFFF GREAT


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prab Part of things Posts: 248	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!prab @prab
	Mar 13, 2013 19:10:51 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Hey dude, this van is awesome but how much for the swift gti in the background, been after another one for ages!
	1990 Renault 25 TXI: retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=readersrides&thread=138111&page=1#1667337 1989 Renault 25 V6 Turbo: retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=readersrides&thread=146174&page=1 1991 Renault 19 16v Cabriolet: retrorides.proboards.com/thread/162459 1987 Renault 9 Turbo: retrorides.proboards.com/thread/175029/1987-renault-turbo-latest-acquisition

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darrenh Posted hell of a lot Posts: 6,655	1972 fiat 850t resto, Engine running at last!!!darrenh @darrenh
	Mar 13, 2013 19:12:57 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	quality work so far and bonus points for the astra gte leather edition wheels
	1989 Astra Merit estate 1991 Astra GTE 16v group A build 1982 land rover 88 sw

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