1973 Fiat 500L + Graziella 300 Caravan

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1973 Fiat 500L + Graziella 300 Caravan

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Mileage~50,975 on the clock
Transmission4-speed manual
Engine0.7-litre
LocationLeamington-Spa

AUCTION CLOSED

1973 Fiat 500L + Graziella 300 Caravan

I’M INTERESTED

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

A charming Fiat 500 and matching retro caravan: the ultimate nostalgic summer escape.

Introduced in 1968, the Fiat 500 L (Lusso) represents the peak evolution of Fiat's legendary microcar, originally intended to help post-war Italy shift from two-wheeled scooters to affordable family motoring. By the late 1960s, Italian buyers demanded style alongside utility, leading Fiat to equip the Lusso with elevated touches like exterior chrome bumper bars, upgraded interior carpeting, reclining seats, and a modernised black vinyl dashboard. Today, it stands as an undisputed motoring icon. It occupies an ideal middle ground for enthusiasts, pairing its timeless, cheeky styling with improved safety, comfort, and practical usability.

Behind the wheel, the 500 L turns modest speeds into an exhilarating, visceral experience thanks to its lightweight 500 kg frame and rear-engine layout. The addition of a retrofitted 652cc engine and gearbox gives it a welcome boost in power, working alongside the unassisted steering to offer direct, go-kart-like feedback and effortless modern traffic capability. The cheerful thrum of the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine encourages spirited driving. Paired with its signature roll-back canvas sunroof and a design that effortlessly draws smiles wherever it goes, the 500 L delivers an unpretentious, joyous driving experience that continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide.

This charismatic 1973 Fiat 500 is finished in blue with a clean red interior and benefits from a 652cc Fiat 126 engine and gearbox upgrade, along with a lowered suspension for a firmer, more engaging ride. While original, complete, and well presented, it offers scope for some sympathetic attention. It comes with receipts dating back to the mid-1980s and documentation showing it spent several years in Monaco. Holding Historic Vehicle status, it is exempt from road tax and MOT testing, making this 500 Lusso an appealing opportunity to acquire a usable, character-packed classic with strong enthusiast backing.

Introduced in the 1960s, the Lander Graziella 300 is an iconic Italian micro-caravan specifically designed to be towed by classic lightweight cars like the Fiat 500. Its ultra-durable, rust-proof fibreglass shell weighs only 400 kg, making it easy to haul while offering remarkable weather resistance. Inside, it cleverly maximises its compact footprint with a front kitchenette, dry storage, and a convertible dinette that turns into a double bed.

Because of its retro rounded design and matching charm, the Lander Graziella 300 is highly sought after by classic car enthusiasts, vintage camper collectors, and micro-car restoration hobbyists. Offered together as a matched set, the car is being sold complete with the caravan, presenting a rare opportunity to acquire the ultimate ready-to-go vintage pairing for car shows and rallies.

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

It's been part of the family for 28 years.

Surjit has regularly enjoyed this distinctive Fiat and caravan combination on longer journeys, including several trips along the M40. Driven on its own for local runs, the car has earned a permanent spot in his collection for three decades thanks to its size and engaging drive.

Costing next to nothing to run and comfortable enough for most short journeys, it has served him exceptionally well.

The decision to sell comes simply down to a recent lack of use, presenting a rare opportunity for its next custodian.

Surjit

Vehicle Owner

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Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Classic blue paint, clean lines, and iconic rounded styling that simply needs a little TLC.

Wheels and Tyres

The car has steel painted rims in good condition all around, free of major marks, and complete with presentable chrome hubcaps.

The tyres are a mix of Gajah Tunggal (145/70) on the front and rear, plus a 2016 Nankang. While the Gajah Tunggal tyres still have plenty of tread left, they are over 20 years old and have visible cracks along the sidewalls.

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

Overall, the body is free of panel damage, apart from a couple of minor, repairable dents on the offside rear wing. There are a few signs of emerging corrosion, including paint bubbling on the offside sill and front arch base, the top of the nearside front wing, below the rear screen, the rear deck, the offside door corner, and near the sunroof aperture. The panels sit flush with acceptable shut lines. While the passenger doors do not stay propped open, they operate smoothly.

The underside shows typical signs of age, particularly along the lowest panel edges and parts of the floor pan. The bottoms of the front wheel wells and the front valance will require repair work. However, the engine bay remains solid.

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 blue paint maintains a consistent colour and pleasant shine across the car, showing only the typical touched-up chips and light surface scratches expected of an authentic, enjoyed classic. Additionally, micro-bubbling is visible on the bonnet.

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 and seals show age-appropriate wear, with no significant damage.

The headlights are in decent condition, though both rear light lenses have faded.

All trim pieces are complete and match the car's overall presentation. The bumpers are securely mounted and free of dents, though they do show minor ageing to their finish.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Well-kept and original, the Fiat’s interior retains all its authentic vintage charm.

Seats and Carpets

The seats are in good shape and free of significant marks.

The carpets are complete and entirely dry - while there are a few wear marks on the driver's side, they present well overall.

Dashboard

The dashboard is in good shape with no significant marks.

The controls, switches, and dials look presentable, and all are reported to operate as they should.

The headlining and interior trim remain in good condition. While the front door cards are good, one of the rear side panels is damaged, though the opposite side is in good shape.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The aftermarket gear lever shows a nice patina, while the steering wheel is in good condition with only minor surface marks.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The 652cc engine adds vital power for effortless modern traffic cruising.

Engine and Gearbox

The air-cooled 652cc engine starts without any hesitation, running smoothly without unwanted noises or splutters and maintaining a steady, purposeful beat.

There were no significant puffs of smoke from the exhaust, and all dashboard warning lights remained off. No signs of fluid leaks were noted on the day.

The engine bay shows good hoses and ancillaries, with evidence of recent maintenance including a fresh looking fuel pump and distributor.

The car benefits from an upgraded Fiat 126 gearbox, providing smoother gear changes with synchromesh on second, third, and fourth gears. The shifts were smooth during our low-speed road test, with no jumping or vague feeling.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension has been modified to give the car a lower stance than a standard Fiat 500, enhancing its go-kart feel. At lower speeds, it delivers confident grip with no knocking noises coming from the wheels.

The braking is in line with expectations for a 53-year-old Fiat 500. It brings the car to a stop smoothly at urban speeds, with no grinding, shaking, pulling, or other negative feedback.

The Drive

The upgraded 652cc engine feels noticeably perkier and more flexible than the original 499cc unit. This is a common conversion using a Fiat 126 engine, allowing the car to keep pace with modern city traffic without losing the inherent character of the Fiat 500 experience.

While the engine is naturally noisy and buzzy at higher revs, it is lively and eager to rev. It pulls smoothly with a positive, linear feel and shows no hesitation or spluttering. The steering is even and quiet, with no knocks or noises. During the drive, all dashboard warning lights remained off, and the engine restarted several times easily when warm.

The owner reports no issues with oil pressure or engine temperature.

Lander Graziella 300 Caravan

The Graziella 300 Caravan has a solid ultralight Fiberglass Shell, though there are gelcoat fractures on the lower blue section of the exterior, mainly around the wheel arches and taillights. The upper side sections show some rippling, and the door aperture shows wear.

The paint has a consistent finish overall, with a few minor marks and scuffs in places that are likely from storage. The windows and seals appear to be in good shape, though we did not test the windows for opening. The door opens without issue and seals well.

The wheels, towing hitch and tyres are in good shape, and the frame is solid and securely mounted to the body.

The interior has been well cared for, with no immediate signs of significant damp or water ingress. It is equipped with a kitchenette with a sink and gas hookup, two light fittings, ample storage, and a twin-bench dinette that converts easily into a double bed. The dry storage areas remain in good order, showing only typical age-related wear to the wooden fittings. The floor is presentable with a few marks, mainly showing wear near the entrance. All fittings and worktops are clean. The curtains, cushions, picnic basket, and radio are included in the sale.

Finally, the skylight shows signs of age, but it is not cracked.

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History and Paperwork

It comes to market following 28 years of single ownership, supported by invoices dating back to 1985.

Dating from 1973, this right-hand-drive car is believed to be a UK-market model that was taken by its previous owner to Monaco during the 1980s. It was permanently re-imported to the UK by its current owner in 1998, who has kept it ever since. The history file includes invoices spanning from 1985 through 2007, with the vendor noting further expenditure since that time.

It has undergone historic restoration work covering its structure, bodywork, and engine, with the possibility of additional invoices and provenance being unearthed before the sale. A collection of old MOT certificates dating back to 1999 confirms the car has covered roughly 4,000 miles over the past quarter-century. Notably, the car is offered for sale complete with the matching Lander Graziella 300 caravan.

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
28-04-2018	MOT	50,715
20-06-2016	MOT	50,560
28-07-2015	MOT	50,544
03-05-2014	MOT	50,515
06-09-2012	MOT	50,453
04-05-2011	MOT	50,416
07-04-2010	MOT	50,385
18-10-2008	MOT	50,285
21-06-2007	MOT	50,123
07-06-2006	MOT	50,030
21-05-2005	MOT	50,003
22-04-2004	MOT	49,729
10-04-2002	MOT	49,255
27-06-2000	MOT	47,822
18-06-1999	MOT	46,343
05-05-1998	MOT	44,564

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Key Details

Year1973
Model500L
Transmission4-Speed Manual
V5 Reg. Date26-05-1998
CC652
Mileage~50,975 on the clock
HistorySince 1985
ColourBlue
Interior ColourRed
Interior TrimVinyl
Chassis #110F3092323
RestoredHistoric in 1991
MOTExpired 27-04-2019
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers0
Tyre BrandNankang/Gajah Tungall
Tyre Age20 years +
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned28 Years
Key FeatureFiat 126 engine, Gearbox and Caravan
Vehicle RegistrationUOA 234L
Driver’s SideRight
Fuel TypePetrol
Body Type2-door Saloon
Auction ID3953

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Vehicle Location

Leamington Spa

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Seller : Surjit S

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