1979 Fiat 126 De Ville Restoration

[Bar Vitelli]

I bought this car about a year ago with just 8249 miles on the clock and originally planned to use it as my runaround.  In fact, I got a bit carried away and did over 3,000 miles in it and drove it like a  Ferrari! It now needs some TLC to secure it's future.  It's costing a fair bit and will mean I'll be on tinned food for a while but like all our cars I've ended up faling for it so there's no choice really!

I've found a really good VW chap who is doing the work and for those of you that like pictures you can check out the progress on his website under the blog section.

www.vwrestorations.co.uk

Once this one's done, there's another, even more special car in line (if I can find the funds!)

[Kent126]

Any news or pics Gary? Their website doesnt seem to work. 

Tom

[Pete126]

Seems to be working Tom, Try this http://www.vwrestorations.co.uk/fiat126.html

[Bar Vitelli]

It's taking some time, which is good actually, because the chap is doing the body and the paintwork very thoroughly.  Should be another 4-6 weeks and then I'm going to treat my favourite blue car and another very special car to the same treatment!   

[Kent126]

Thanks Pete, must be my computer. 

Hopefully they will update it as they go along. Gary are they giving you the opportunity to take photos along the way, or doing it for you?

Tom

[Bar Vitelli]

They're doing the pictures although I have taken some myself but just haven't figured out how to load them to this site.  To be honest, it kinda breaks my heart to see it all dismantled with the rust exposed so I'm just focussing on the end result. 

Tell you what, it's been a tough old week, I've sold my maroon car to help pay for everything and just blowN (part of) that cash on drinks to drown my sorrows at my local bar, nice stuff though, a beautiful (bottle of) red, followed by grappa, coffee (with a quarter bottle of disarronno) finished off with limoncello.  Don't feel too bad now, until I wake up tomorrow that is!

[Kent126]

How was the hangover? 

Tom

[Bar Vitelli]

Had my stomach pumped, sounds grim but just like an engine rebuild really, lots of gink came out, but now much leaner and meaner and as ever the Haynes manual came in really handy!

Miss my DeVille, it's my ''DeVille in disguise'', another 4-8 weeks and it should be mintissimo and I can toot it about all summer long!

[Kent126]

Hopefully you can bring it to retro rides? 

Tom

[Bar Vitelli]

I went to see my DeVille again today, I wish I could load pictures because it's looking amazing, all sanded down and ready to be painted which is happening next week after which the chappy is going to load some pictures on his blog site so they can be viewed. 

The best bit was seeing the actual paint, really hard to find, it's the original stuff not the new lacquered version, looked good enough to drink!  Arancia Rossa - Orange Red! 

It's going to be left for 2 weeks after painting to dry out properly before being put back together so could be ready in time for an Italiann party we are due to hold at Villa Vitelli in July which would be brilliant as I could match it up with my green and white car to make the Italian flag! 

[Rusty's Uncle]

I did once have a red , white & a blue 126 at the same time but BV you can already do blue , white & green . Sierra Leone will be very proud of you 

[Bar Vitelli]

I did do a red, white and blue formation and attributed it to Slovakia out of respect to a mutual friend... 

[Pete126]

Here are the photos you sent me









Won't be long now

[Bar Vitelli]

Cheers,Pete, I was going to soup it up with some work on the carb but I've got a go faster stripe that I might stick on instead which should do just as good!  It's touch and go whether it will be ready for our big party on the 6th July but it will be brilliant if it is! 

[Pete126]

You Can't afford to soup it up, You won't be able to afford the Petrol! well thats what you keep telling us