RUMCars Forum

General Category => Off Topic Lounge => Topic started by: richard on July 09, 2013, 08:05:46 PM

Title: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 09, 2013, 08:05:46 PM
Away from home again and find I am musing once again on the possibilities of buying my three brothers out of their shares in the family resto project ? I find I like the idea of an earlier pre-war car. . Do I / don't I . Can't bring up pics whilst away but someone could from my flikr stream  
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: marcus on July 09, 2013, 08:19:21 PM
Do you need it?

No.

Do you want it?

Yes.

Obviously you do or you would not even think about it let alone ask us here!

Be honest, you have already decided you do want it. If you have the money, space and time.....


....stop faffing around

....get the "Before" photos posted here

... do the work

....put the "After" photos up

...have fun!

Well go on then, GET ON WITH IT! 

BTW, I think a Topo will easily fit in with average "Microcar" classification, so RUM register it (if not already) and enjoy a pre-war micro/mini which I reckon is probably quite rare in UK and will get a lot of attention.

One problem: once completed, your brother will want in on it!
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 09, 2013, 08:38:13 PM
Thanks for that marcus though not sure you should encourage me.  No. I haven't the time, space or money - but it would be nice. 600cc of sidevalve engine - well it should be. Currently fitted wth the 1954 ohv engine
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: marcus on July 09, 2013, 09:00:57 PM
You don't want encouragement? Alright then, walk away.

You don't have Time/Space/Money (TSM)? Walk away.

Wrong engine? Walk away.

Walk away and don't turn around for ten years, then find yourself thinking "If only I had done something about it?" If you CAN live with this prospect, keep walking.

If you can't, well you might as well make a start now, before it gets any worse!
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 09, 2013, 10:35:11 PM
I never said I didn't want encouragement  ;)
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: marcus on July 09, 2013, 10:41:44 PM
I noticed that, that's why I ended with "you might as well make a start now" !
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: GoggoPete on July 09, 2013, 11:45:50 PM
Since when has need, time, space or money had anything to do with it? ::)

If you want it, which it sounds like you do, then go get it. Once you've got it, worry about those other things then. A solution will normally present itself... ;)
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 10, 2013, 06:08:12 PM
I feel sure that barry could find some nice pics of an early topolino. Technically a microcar or lightcar - but not really is it , it's just too much of a proper car . FIAT just didn't do them did they  ;)
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Chris Thomas on July 10, 2013, 06:28:59 PM
Dear Richard

The Fiat Topolino is technically a microcar, but it is  certainly not an unusual microcar.

It was not only sold as a Fiat, but also a Simca in France and an NSU Fiat in Germany.  In the UK Smith Brothers of Purley, Surrey converted models into a soft top version.

A very important car in the history of small cars.

Chris Thomas
Rumcar News
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 10, 2013, 07:10:40 PM
Hmmmm don't get us all onto what's " unusual "  ;) yes I do agree though . Now how easy is it to convert to soft top , after all that would make it more - UNUSUAL . Any pics or further information of these please ? Particularly the smith conversions I can't find anything on them
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker) on July 10, 2013, 11:25:44 PM
The Siata Smith Special.

From this site

http://www.topolino.org.uk/ (http://www.topolino.org.uk/)
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker) on July 10, 2013, 11:27:05 PM
The Germans did a natty convertible as well. The Fiat-NSU 500 Weinsberg Roadster.

From the German Wikipedia

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_500_Topolino (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_500_Topolino)

Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker) on July 10, 2013, 11:31:13 PM
And I guess this is the one you are discussing from Flickr?
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 11, 2013, 07:24:55 AM
Yep the last ones ours - untouched in 26 years since dad died . Those others are lovely . I found a bit on smiths 27 built  ? 1 left
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: marcus on July 11, 2013, 08:24:55 AM
I love the Weinsberg Roadster, beautifully blinged up.
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 11, 2013, 10:04:00 PM
some regard it well - brian sewell of all people . the most distinctive voice , i can imagine him saying the words

http://www.briansewell.co.uk/brian-sewell-com/brian-sewell-cars/fiat-500-topolino.html
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 19, 2013, 01:49:29 PM
interesting video but perhaps i would be out of my depth with this restoration job

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY-wLfPPBq8
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker) on July 19, 2013, 03:37:21 PM
I don't know, it looks in better nick than that Solyto that was on here a couple of months back. Restoration would be a titanic job though.
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 19, 2013, 09:58:56 PM
oh i see-weed have no problems if we dived in to the project head first
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker) on July 19, 2013, 10:21:20 PM
As long as you're prepared to splash out a bit
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Bob Purton on July 25, 2013, 08:48:05 AM
I watched the film Roman Holiday recently and one of these cars featured prominantly, Gregory Peck had great difficulty getting out of the back seat!
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 25, 2013, 08:59:20 AM
I saw it was on when I was back at my hotel room in tadcaster early . Didn't watch it though - shame . Not surprised it was difficult as it's very much a 2+2 in fact any rear seat is unusual I think .ah just a thought !  The film was I think 1955 so would be mainly restyled mk C they must have had more room .
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Bob Purton on July 25, 2013, 09:26:08 AM
The featured car, which was following Gregory and the Princess around on there Vespa was the same shape as your family one although there were a few of those later shaped ones buzzing about.
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 25, 2013, 10:08:13 AM
Interesting ? Cos the back seat we have , and most don't , is about 10" front to back - kiddy really. I wonder if different car for different shots ?
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Big Al on July 25, 2013, 03:41:40 PM
I watched the film Roman Holiday recently and one of these cars featured prominantly, Gregory Peck had great difficulty getting out of the back seat!

That will be cos he's dead?
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Big Al on July 25, 2013, 03:48:57 PM
Interesting ? Cos the back seat we have , and most don't , is about 10" front to back - kiddy really. I wonder if different car for different shots ?

Was there only one loan gunman, or three?








One for J, another for F and then I get confused. Oh grassy knolls to it, t'waz Rizla, or what what ever his name was, in the drain.
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: richard on July 25, 2013, 05:03:15 PM
no i have checked my tablets and i am ok - so it's al and rob . is it the sun d'yu think ?
Title: Re: FIAT TOPOLINO 1937 - do I need it ?
Post by: Rob Dobie on July 25, 2013, 08:48:09 PM
Tablets?  How many of those weird computery/phoney/gamey thingys have you got?