Travelling to italy

[linden]

I am planning to take my car to italy next year.Has any one travelled that far in a 500, if so what sort of problems if any did you encounter. Cheers

[thepuddlejumper]

I was on the tour of europe for the launch of the new 500, (3000 mile round trip from Glasgow to Garlenda and Back). The original condenser lasted to Garlenda and the tours around but was changed during a service before the return journey.  I had to relace it 3 or 4 times on my jouney home.  I had to change the drive couplings on 3 occasions, the after market units dont last long.  I think the reason is the long all day motorway speeds day after day destroy the rubber insert. I would advise taking spare condensers and spare drive couplings plus new locking nuts.  I re-used 1 old nut and the wheel decided to go it's on way at 60mph, fortunatly the wheel lodged under the wing. The damage included rear wheel bearings and I had to use a thread file to repair the thread to the axle. In saying al that the majoriyy of 500's lasted the pace with only minor servicing during the trip.  Just carry pout a good service and check everything to make shure it is in tip top condition and go fot it and enjoy the trip. I had the time of my life and hope to do it again next year to Garlenda to the 500 meeting in my Gamine as GB is the "host" country.  Check out youtube 2007 tour of europa.

Ralph

[GTMaster]

Other helpful parts for long journeys that don't take up much space are: cables (clutch and throttle cables), fuel pump (or just a refurb membrane kit), as mentioned condensers and maybe some oil (motor and gearbox oil). Also things like fuses and bulbs as well but a fire extinguisher is also handy to have (also good to have in case someone else needs help). Few tools and a petrol can ( in case  you run out of fuel ) are handy too.

[damon500]

Hi,
I took my car (Red 1969 Fiat 500) to Italy in 2007 on the same rally with Ralph (Hi!) from Melbourne, Australia. We shipped the car from Australia to Hamburg and joined the Tour Europa.
My car has a standard Aircooled 126 (Niki) 650cc motor that has now travelled 150,000km and 126 transmission which is fitted with a Nardi 5 speed conversion. We ran the full tour including going over the Swiss Alps and then travelled around Italy (Pisa, Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan- through France to Paris and then around the UK dropping the car off at Southampton for a total of 6000km in 4 weeks.
The only mechanical problems we had were a loose dipstick, weeping oil pressure switch, failed indicator relay and a puncture.
I always run full synthetic oils in the motor and transmission and haven't had an engine failure in the last 20 years I have been driving Fiat 500's and 126's. On the trip we spent many hours cruising at 70MPH in heat of 35 degrees plus including a brief top speed run of 80MPH on the Autobahn!
The spare parts I took were: Full Gasket set, coil, fuel pump, HT leads, Condensor, spark plugs, Clutch and accelerator cables, assortment of bolts, nuts, fuses, engine oil, gasket sealer, wheel bearings, fan belt, seals and inner tube.
I stashed most of the spare parts and some tools inside the rear guards- If you pull the tailights out there is a surprising amount of space in there- more on a 126 than a 500.
Don't be scared of long distance trips in a 500 or 126- 6000km was in 4 weeks didn't hurt the little beast and it is still running stong in daily use with just basic servicing 4 years later! I have done a solo 2000km trip to Bathurst and Sydney and another 3000km trip around New Zealand without any significant issues.
My best advice is to check the car over thoroughly and drive it daily for at least a month before you head away- Garlenda is great and it is a terrific road trip- wish I could do it all again!
 

[Amateb8]

Many, many thanks for the tip. I intend to go to the Maluch World Meeting (in Slovakia) in June next year. It will be great!!