RESERVE LOWERED – 1969 Fiat 500L

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RESERVE LOWERED – 1969 Fiat 500L

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Mileage~8,541 km On the clock
Transmission4-speed manual
Engine0.5-litre
LocationWarwick

AUCTION CLOSED

RESERVE LOWERED – 1969 Fiat 500L

I’M INTERESTED

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

The quintessential Italian microcar packed with big personality.

Introduced in late 1968 as an upgraded version of the standard 500F, the 1969 Fiat 500L (Lusso) represented the deluxe, luxury-trimmed peak of Italy's iconic post-war city car line. Designed to offer a more premium experience, the Lusso boasted distinctive tubular steel bumper guards, an anti-glare plastic dashboard covering, a modern trapezoidal instrument cluster, pleated seat upholstery, and sleek chrome-style window trim. These thoughtful additions transformed the tiny vehicle into a stylish, richly appointed commuter tailored for drivers seeking a bit extra flair.

Beyond its stylish interior and exterior accents, the Fiat 500 series was a massive commercial success, selling nearly four million units between 1957 and 1975. Its extraordinarily compact footprint allowed it to effortlessly navigate narrow European alleys and park in tight urban spaces, making it a practical necessity for daily commuting. For millions of post-war families, the car symbolised personal freedom and economic growth, and today, the 500L remains a cherished classic prized for its charming retro aesthetic, easy DIY repairs, and timeless Italian character.

Renovated to an exceptionally high standard, this 1969 Fiat 500L is beautifully finished in vibrant blue with a striking, contrasting red interior. Imported into the UK in 2017, the car retains much of its original factory specification, offering an authentic driving experience exactly as Fiat intended. It comes complete with its original Italian registration provenance, a portfolio of restoration photos, and a well-documented history of care.

Over the past nine years, this charming city car has benefited from more than £2,000 invested in both cosmetic and mechanical upkeep, including two recent services. Meticulously maintained and preserved, this well-looked-after example offers a rare opportunity to own a tastefully upgraded piece of Italian automotive history, ready to be enjoyed.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Celia 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

We absolutely adore its pure, joyful character and charm!

Offered on behalf of the client through Trade Classics’ VIP service, this Fiat has been kept in secure storage in Warwick. Acquired by its current owner shortly after its 2017 import, the car has covered just 1,000 km since, benefiting from over £2,000 in routine servicing and ongoing maintenance.

Highly original and true to its factory specification, it stands as an exceptionally genuine example of the iconic 500L.

The car being sold due to a lack of use and the owners will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Michael

Vehicle Owner

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CONTACT OWNER

Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

It boasts a solid, well-restored bodywork with excellent paint.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is fitted with its original style 12-inch painted steel wheels. All are in clean condition and topped with smart wheel trims.

The car rides on Pirelli Cinturato 125 SR 12 tyres at both the front and rear. Although these tyres date back to 2008, they remain in good shape, showing plenty of even tread across all four corners with no obvious signs of severe sidewall ageing or degradation.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The bodywork is in smart condition, featuring solid panel fitment and remarkably consistent shut lines throughout. All doors operate smoothly and latch securely, though the passenger door detent is slightly weak, causing it to drift shut rather than hold its position when fully open.

Cosmetically, the exterior presents well with no evident rust or structural damage. The only notable imperfection is a minor, easily treatable dent on the driver's door, making this a remarkably clean and honest candidate for minor touch-up work.

The underside of the car looks solid, revealing a clean floor pan that has been treated with protective underseal. Structural areas, including the wheel wells and suspension mounting points, are solid, showing no signs of deterioration. Both the engine bay and front luggage compartment are tidy.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The paintwork presents well, displaying an even, consistent coat with a pleasing depth of colour throughout. Overall, the exterior is clean and free from any major chips, deep scratches, or significant blemishes.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass panels and light lenses remain in good overall condition, framed by complete, intact exterior trim. While the rubber seals show minor age-related wear and the brightwork around the glass exhibits light surface patina, everything remains tight and presentable.

Both the front and rear bumpers are securely mounted to the bodywork. They display mild pitting consistent with their age, but it does not detract from the car’s impressive overall presentation.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The car has a minimalist, upgraded Lusso cabin in clean, well-preserved condition.

Seats and Carpets

The red seats present smartly and hold their shape well, showing only a minor, discreet tear on the inner bolster of the driver's seat.

Throughout the cabin, the carpets and protective rubber mats remain impressively clean. This extends to the front luggage compartment, which displays minimal signs of wear and reflects a car that has been carefully used.

Dashboard

The dashboard is in excellent condition, showing no obvious age, cracking, or notable flaws.

All controls, dials, and switches present cleanly, and work as intended.

The rest of the cabin is similarly well-preserved, with the door cards, accent trim, and interior headlining all remaining neat, secure, and in good overall order.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel and gear lever remain in great condition, perfectly matching the well-preserved quality of the rest of the cabin.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Shifting the Fiat's lively engine through its gears is always engaging and rewarding.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine starts up with the oil pressure warning light extinguishing immediately upon firing up. Running cleanly without any unwanted squeals or tapping, the motor settles into a smooth, even idle with the choke engaged. Aside from a small, normal puff of exhaust on startup, the car remained completely leak-free and showed no signs of continuous smoking during our visit.

Visually, the engine bay presents very well, retaining all of its original tinwork and showing clear evidence of routine maintenance and recent servicing.

The transmission performs just as it should, engaging every gear smoothly without crunching, though operating the non-synchromesh ratios naturally requires proper double-declutching, just as Fiat designed. Meanwhile, the clutch operates seamlessly, offering a progressive pedal feel and a confidence-inspiring bite point.

Suspension and Brakes

The Fiat delivers an engaging, go-kart-like ride, feeling agile with minimal body roll through the turns, all while keeping the wheels free of any unwanted clunks or rattles. Tested up to 30 mph, the car tracks straight and true, exhibiting no squeaks or vibrations.

In keeping with its classic setup, the braking system requires a firm foot on the pedal to slow the vehicle down, but it stops the car efficiently and predictably. Importantly, the brakes apply smoothly, offering clean performance with no unwanted feedback or pulling through the wheels.

The Drive

Engineered by the legendary Dante Giacosa, the rear-mounted, air-cooled 499cc straight-twin is one of the most minimalist powerplants ever created, a true masterclass in space and cost efficiency. The engine fills the cabin with a distinct, rhythmic thrumming sound and delivers a surprisingly punchy feel off the line in first gear. Pushed toward 30 mph, its eager torque gives the car a delightful sense of verve through the bends, perfectly complemented by nimble, quiet steering that remains steady despite a tiny bit of play.

This is a motor built to be driven hard, requiring a driver who isn't afraid to keep their foot flat on the floorboard and let the engine sing. During our drive, the car performed reliably, keeping its oil pressure light off and showing no signs of cooling issues. Mechanical confidence is further backed by recent investment, with a substantial £1,500 bill spent on the engine and running gear in 2025 to keep this iconic twin running at its best.

Electrics and Other

The soft top folds back smoothly and latches securely into place without any hassle.

Inside, the roof lining material remains in excellent, clean condition.

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History and Paperwork

Since arriving in the UK, over £2,000 has been invested to keep it in prime condition.

Imported in 2017, this Fiat comes with copies of its original registration documentation tracing its history back to the early 1970s in Turin. It features accompanying photographic evidence of a recorded restoration, pointing to a well-executed overhaul of both the bodywork and underside.

Since arriving in the UK, the car has benefited from over £2,000 in expenditure. Notable work includes gearbox casing repairs and a new starter motor in 2017, followed by two routine services and further investment in 2025 covering steering, suspension, and partial underside refresh. It comes complete with a current V5 logbook, a collection of spare parts, and exemption from both MOT and road tax.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
12-03-2025	Specialist Service	8,517 km
22-08-2022	Service	8.483 km
26-04-2017	MOT	7,645 km

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Key Details

Year1969
Model500L
Transmission4-Speed Manual
UK Reg. Date02-05-2017
Manufactured1969
CC499
Mileage~8,541 km on the clock
HistorySince 2017
ColourBlue
Interior ColourRed
Interior TrimVinyl
Chassis #2047106
Last Service12-03-2025
RestoredYes - Documented
MOTExpired 25-04-2018
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - All Clear
Former Keepers1
Tyre BrandPirelli Cinturato
Tyre Age2008
LHD or RHDLHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned9 Years
Key FeatureClean Presentation / Low Reserve
Vehicle RegistrationNNB 565G
Fuel TypePetrol
Body Type2-door Saloon
Auction ID3948

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All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Location

Warwick

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Auction Closed

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This car didn't meet its reserve price and may soon be available as a private sale - please contact us for more information or let us know if you want to be notified when a similar car comes to market.

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Ask Questions

Seller : Michael500

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

3 Comments

ColinB

Admin

24 days ago

*** RESERVE LOWERED ***

Michael has decided to lower the reserve so the highest bidder is more likely to win the Fiat on Thursday night, good luck!

Thanks,
Colin

Stefano

22 days ago

Hi Michael. What a lovely car. Are there any signs of rust bubbles (however small) on the bodywork/cills/window surrounds etc? Is the dent on the near side door the only bodywork issue that needs addressing? Best wishes.

ah2233

29 days ago

Would you say it was in fair, good or very good condition

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Vehicle Location

Warwick

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