1972 Fiat 500 Vignale Gamine |

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1972 Fiat 500 Vignale Gamine

Sold Price

£12,455

Mileage~65,119
TransmissionManual
Engine0.5-litre
LocationMilton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

SOLD

1972 Fiat 500 Vignale Gamine

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Glyn Parry

Professional Consigner

This is one rare and desirable little car as it's one of only 200 RHD cars produced - a perfect project with excellent equity potential.

The Vignale Gamine is based on the Fiat 500, using its drivetrain in a stripped-down body style that earned it a nickname as ‘Noddy’ as a reference to the Enid Blyton children's book character. Fiat never officially imported the car into the UK, but 200 RHD converted cars were privately imported directly from the Vignale factory in Turin. It’s low running costs and ease of DIY was counterbalanced by a comparatively high new list price and as result remained a rare sight in the UK.

The car should be considered to any potential buyer as a barn find, as according to the DLVA computer, it was last taxed in 1979. This example is complete and considering the lack of road use, it is in remarkably good condition. This charming little car could be an ideal project in anticipation of when things get back to 'normal' again.

You'll see recent sale prices at auction in the last couple of years being over £25k for fully restored UK / RHD cars. So with a guide price at around half of that then it does mean the new owner can spend properly on this little car and have good equity at the end. There are not many cars you can do that on these days.

Whatever your reason for purchase, it is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of anyone that drives or even sees the car, and that in this day and age is never a bad thing.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting Graham the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

I've always thought I'd get round to getting it back on the road, but other priorities have always taken over.

We're sure that most fellow classic car owners will understand why Graham has kept hold of the car for so long, using the logic that he'll get round to it 'soon'. That 'soon' has turned into decades and he has finally made the tough decision to place the car for sale. The little Fiat deserves to be enjoyed and he feels that his care in making sure it is started up and kept in dry storage will be rewarded by its eventual return to the road.

Graham

Vehicle Owner

Graham saved £2,160* when they
sold their Fiat with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

The bodywork presentation is in extremely good shape, courtesy of its dry storage - the term 'easy project' could not be more apt here.

Wheels and Tyres

The steel wheels are in straight condition with no surface rust. Although the Uniroyal Rally 280 tyres have lots of thread, the 3 digit DOT number suggests that they date from the '80s (maybe earlier).

Bodywork

This car is not in the usual 'barn find' state - time has been kind to this rare little Fiat, and structurally the car is good with just the lower front of the car subject to corrosion. Otherwise, the bodywork doesn't show much else in terms of penetrative rust.

Glyn, our consigner, did not observe much in terms of significant dents neither. The inner front luggage lid and the rear engine cover have a little surface rust coating the edges but nothing has gone through the other side. The engine bay and luggage compartment are comparatively solid, with expected surface rust but nothing that has attacked the structure. The underside is solid but has evidence of welding in the cabin carried out in the past.

One issue that will need investigation is a metal crack to the base of the off-side A-pillar. The hinges will need renewal as either poor repairs or non-standard items have been used.

Overall, this is a very simple car to work on and it's in excellent shape. We don't see any issues that a good DIY mechanic can't put right and make into an excellent or even concours car with time and effort.

The car comes with two covers, a full cover and a tonneau, both appear to be without tears.

Paint

The car has been resprayed at some point but the layered application of paint may have had something to do with preserving the car. The same heavy-handed application has been applied to the interior floor pan. There are a few chips scattered around the body but nothing that looks unsightly.

Stripping back the paint and building up from bare metal will put significant value back in the car. Remember prices for these cars, selling at auction, is in the mid twenties. Even the most professional respray to make like glass won't cost that much.

Glass and Trim

The car retains all of its presumably hard to find Vignale badges, with much of the originality retained elsewhere. The chrome brightwork is all present but shows signs of pitting, with the rear number plate cowling being the most seriously corroded - but nothing that can't be fixed and remember how small this car is.

The rear lenses appear to be uncracked - they just need a bit of polishing. The flat glass is in line with the age of the car, with no major scratches or damage. The door seals have been well preserved, and one actually obstructs the closing of the driver's door!

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The interior is basic and therefore wouldn't take too much to bring up to scratch - really no time at all.

Seats and Carpets

As you'd expect, the seats are dirty due to the barn storage but are in decent shape with no major flaws - a big bonus to the restorer. They're rip-free and without any signs of heavy wear.

The car is fitted with rubber mats - they're attached to the floor pan but it is said that they're not hiding a multiple of sins. The car is missing its interior bakelite door handles, the owner is going to try to locate the original items as they were removed due to their poor condition but we can't guarantee they'll be found and therefore included.

Dashboard

The simple metal dashboard has a scattering of controls and switches, all of which will need further testing. The speedometer bezel has corroded but an easy fix.

Everything is original and is going to look fantastic with a bit of work.

The glovebox opens and closes.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel along with the stalks should be considered as a subject for renovation. Fortunately they are original and will again look fantastic when restored to their former glory.

The gear stick shows signs of wear and tear as expected.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Fortunately all the oily bits are easy to source but no real worries as the engine and running gear all works - watch the video to see this little car on the move.

Engine and Gearbox

The car has been inactive for several years, and is started up periodically but has to be considered as subject to renovation. The charismatic air-cooled engine, once it got going didn't produce any excessive exhaust smoke and is able to move under its own power. The engine presentation is typical for a car that hasn't seen much use over the years, with an expected coating of surface rust on most of the engine components but nothing that suggests advanced damage. The gearbox is functional but obviously in line with the engine for its status.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension and brake components are functional, but would likely to need some level of investigation. That said, the underside has been relatively well preserved so shouldn't need much in terms of major component replacement.

The Drive

The owner has taken the precaution of starting a running the car on private land ever since they've owned it. This has given the chance for the components not to seize up. While it will almost certainly need attention to brakes and bushes etc, the car is in surprisingly agile form considering its mostly dormant status.

Electrics and Other

The car can start up relatively easily, so while not fully tested, the electrical systems should not necessarily need a complete overhaul but would be wise to check and test the wires and contacts.

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History and Paperwork

It hasn't seen the open road for over 40 years but is primed for recommissioning.

The car appears to be a genuine factory RHD example and has only seen two previous owners in its lifetime. Graham, the current owner bought the car as a project in 1988, after buying it from a lady who obtained the car when it was only 6 years old.

The Vignale has not seen much road action and has been kept in dry storage for decades. As a result, it doesn't come with much in terms of paperwork history, but as these in RHD form are scarce, the next owner could get in touch with Gamine Register and investigate the history further.

The car also comes with a few spare parts, which can be viewed in the exterior gallery.

Key Details

Model500 Vignale Gamine
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date1972
CC499cc
Mileage~65,119
ColourCream
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimVinyl
Chassis #110F1993075
Engine #2102971
RestoredNo
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers2
Tyre BrandUniroyal
Tyre AgeVery Old!
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned33 years
Key FeatureEasy Restoration - Equity Potential

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All Images

History and Paperwork

All Videos

Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions

Seller : Graham S Sale Date 16.03.2021

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

12 Comments

Fred moss

3 years ago

Hi, did the Gamine sell?
Fred

Geoff Barker

3 years ago

Hi Graham, I owned a Gamine in the early 70s and regularly commuted in it to the South of France! Not a trip I would want to try these days. My car was right hand drive but red in colour, I think the original reg was NFR 323G. A long shot but is there any chance this is the same vehicle?
Best regards
Geoff

Graham

Geoff Barker

3 years ago

Hi there I don’t think so, I purchased the car from a lady in Northampton

Graham

Geoff Barker

3 years ago

Hi
I originally purchased this from a lady in Northampton

Fred

3 years ago

Hi Graham, is it rusty??

Graham

Fred

3 years ago

Not really for a car of this age.

Glyn Parry (Photographer)

Fred

3 years ago

Hi Fred,

I have just referred back to my notes from the shoot. Overall there is little rust to speak of, and what there is is very superficial. The inside has been painted with a textured paint so hard to tell if there was any pitting before the painting, but there are no signs of holes, and the underside looks solid.

In my opinion, the worst area would be the spare wheel well. There are signs of rust in there, and can be see quite clearly on the photographs and videos. This again is just signs of rust, and no holes.

A very solid little car.

lele7l

Glyn Parry (Photographer)

3 years ago

Thanks

MartinGamine

3 years ago

Dear Graham, sorry to see that you are letting go of your Gamine, but it will surely get the desired attention from the new owner. Do you know what color it had originally? And are -hopefully- the original headlights available too? Thanks + good luck with the auction, Martin

Graham

MartinGamine

3 years ago

Hi Martin it’s always been cream as far as I know,haven’t got original headlights Graham

MartinGamine

Graham

3 years ago

Thanks Graham. Going through the pictures I thought I saw some very small patches of the original salmon-color.

Are there any images of the state of the car before the bodywork/welding? Thanks!

Graham

MartinGamine

3 years ago

Sorry but no pictures

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Vehicle Location

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

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