[the mole]

Dear BHPians succumbing to popular demand I am starting a thread which will document the journey of restoration of my dear Fiat MTP 8389. As you are all aware this car belonged to our dear Karl. I am posting below pictures of my first encounter with MTP 8389 in Karls garage, you can say it was love at first sight.

Through this thread i hope to gather valuable insights from all my friends at FCCCI and the Team BHP community in whole. I will also document every piece of reasearch and evidence that will go into making the car into what she would have looked like in 1956. So Ladies and Gentleman I give you MTP 8389.

[President]

Congratulations Amole and wish you all the very best towards a Concourse Restoration of MTP 8389 which has a special place in many a hearts including Karl and myself.
I will be closely monitoring this thread and will definately participate with utmost concern towards getting her to "OH REE G NALITY".

[kavesh55]

Originally Posted by President

Congratulations Amole and wish you all the very best towards a Concourse Restoration of MTP 8389 which has a special place in many a hearts including Karl and myself.
I will be closely monitoring this thread and will definately participate with utmost concern towards getting her to "OH REE G NALITY".

So shall be done - By Order Mr. Original

[karlosdeville]

Im sure this thread will turn out to be the perfect restorer's guide for Fiat restorations the right way. Target date 26th January, watch this space!

The car has a fantastic bodyline, though stood for 10 years in the open so caught some lower body rust. Major portions of the original floor though remain in surprisingly good shape. As my friend says there's magic in Pune air

Unfortunately practically all original fittings were absent, excepting the grille, bumpers and side trims which remain in great shape, only with surface rust and importantly no dings. The original meter, petrol cap assembly, wheels, steering wheel, air filter box, switches and some more things have been locally procured. Original two way headlights are impossible to get, so have been procured from Europe, as has a new boot lid lock, two wheel caps, side indicators, parking light and taillight lenses, winder caps. No local stuff on this car!




In the past to fit the larger lights some alterations were made, destroying the distinctive "hump", characteristic to these models. Templates were saved from a car being scrapped, so that problem is solved.

Here is a list of items we still require, if anyone can help.

original centre light. Note the Carello 'lamp' logo on the glass and ring (ring already procured)



2 wheel caps



Yellow centre horn button.



ivory switches plus stainless steel ribbed plate. The black rubber bulb for windshield washer in the centre has been procured I think, as have the toggle switches.




Fiat 1100 script plastic badge above the ign switch.



Aluminium outer door handles. Local steel units are currently on the car.

Stainless steel garnish patti on the door panels, unique to this model.




One window winder with ivory bakelite end



Two very important items, the glass bowl washer fluid reservoir and ventilation duct flap is also to be located. Illustrated in an LHD car, the items come on the right in Amol's car.

[SuperSelect]

Great stuff Amol. This is going to be one thread (and one car) to watch !! Way to go Dukkar !!

[speedy]

Congratulations Amol on a lovely car taken under your wing. I know with everyones contributions and the research you shall put in MTP 8389 is going to turn out a real looker. All the best. cheers:

[the mole]

guys i have just aquired two of these extremely rare documents. Me and Karl will be converting these to PDF soon for the benifit of other 103E owners. But throughout this thread I will adding crossreferences to various chapters in these documents.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Original two way headlights are impossible to get, so have been procured from Europe, as has a new boot lid lock, two wheel caps, side indicators, parking light and taillight lenses, winder caps. No local stuff on this car!

Wow, thats awesome!!

Did amol procure all this stuff?? Great!
'cant wait to see what this car will transform from what it has been earlier!

[President]

Amole, I hope you have told Aslambhai to keep the car "ready for delivery" one month before actual target date. From my past experiences, I know that there are last moment hiccups and the car is never ready on time, otherwise.

[the mole]

here are pics of the car, On day 2 when all the fittings were being dismantled. You should be able to see the original peacock Blue paint where the pattis were removed, also some remanants of black paint over the Peacock Blue.
Next I'll upload scans of the relevant bodywork plates from the Karosserie catlog for this model so members can check the originality in current condition.

[Cyrus43]

@Karl.. Now here are some things i never knew about!!! More Fiatfull Gyan!! How Nice!!

@amol, the floor looks pretty nice compared to other cars i have seen.

OT: The ponton is still there i see!!

[Stanher]

One question though to fiat gurus (am having trouble with my net today so not able to view long enough!) did the elegants ever come with the yellow horn button??
Wasnt that present only on the 55 (millecento) fiats ?

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Stanher

One question though to fiat gurus (am having trouble with my net today so not able to view long enough!) did the elegants ever come with the yellow horn button??
Wasnt that present only on the 55 (millecento) fiats ?

It was very much offered with the yellow horn button, possibly only in India as left overs in 56. I know of 2 long term ownership 56 centre light cars with the yellow button fitted. In 57 the red ones were also probably offered.

[Prabal]

Originally Posted by the mole

here are pics of the car, On day 2 when all the fittings were being dismantled. You should be able to see the original peacock Blue paint where the pattis were removed, also some remanants of black paint over the Peacock Blue.
Next I'll upload scans of the relevant bodywork plates from the Karosserie catlog for this model so members can check the originality in current condition.

Amol, this colour under the pattis looks more like your Ponton; a few drops of dark blue as well as jade green to that should be more like the Elegant's shade. If memory serves me right the original colour used to be a little greener than this, somewhat like turquoise - quite a borderline case of blue and green. The Pune car posted by Karl (probably Mr. T's that you'd earlier shared with me, Karl?) on the other hand looks too blue. All said and done, I'm utterly confused now.

The foot-rests for the rear passengers on the floor are really good to see on your car. Even if they came in all the cars, seldom are they retained after a re-flooring. In fact I've also not seen them on some cars with their original floor pan - whatever the explanation be. So you've got something really original and rare for your Hush Puppies there!

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Amol - I look forward to a wonderful restoration of MTP8389 by you. I have no doubt that the final result will be mind blowing. If you need any assistance, just call me or Cyrus and we will certainly help in all ways possible. I am writing this because although you will certainly come out with a "period original" result, mechanically also the car must perform brilliantly where I can provide help, hence this suggestion. My personal choice for this car would be black colour with cream coloured wheel rims and whitewall tyres, but as you want to go original all the way, I endorse your decision to go for the original blue colour. My 1967 car MRF6466 was originally black so I am inclined to go for black again although Cyrus is not too keen on it. Let's see.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar