My Fiat Topolino is a Flip Top now

New lower door skins replacing the old pinhole filled pieces.

 

Here is a shot of the rear door. Decided to shorten it and put a 8" piece under the door so I will have a place to mount my tail lights. Originally the door went all the way down like in the bottom picture. It's looking a lot better everyday. Have to finish back door and driver/passenger doors and widen rear fenders to allow for the 11" rubber to fit in there.

 

I spend most all of my time working and running a business. Any spare time I have is generally working on the Fiat. I also like to make the time to take photos and post them here on the HAMB for the people here to maybe enjoy my progress on the Fiat over the past years. I am a little puzzled by the lack of interest in what I'm posting. I am assuming that it may have something to do with the new format here. Just doesn't seem that the folks here are engaging in conversation like they used to, more are using the "like" buttons as I see in many threads. There are a handful that regularly comment and support my efforts and it is nice and great to here from them. Other times it is like a ghost town and makes me wonder if I am wasting time and energy posting to an empty audience. I guess it is the way society is heading less person to person conversation and more rating your status on how many FB friends you can acquire. Well I hope you guys find this thread interesting and maybe sometimes informative. Thanks for listening to my little rant, needed to get it off my chest.

 

Keep up with the updates mate. I love following the progress but as you know I usually only comment when I have something constructive to say.

Roo

 

I've been following your progress for a long time. I'm glad you take the time to post the pics and explain why you went in a certain direction. I do hit the "like" button a lot but mostly because I figured you'd be bored with me always posting "nice work". This thread is always one of the ones I take the time to catch up on so don't think you're wasting your time! The Fiat has come a long way and you should be proud!
Tom

 

Don't be discouraged. There's so much trick stuff being built these days it's hard to arouse the viewers. I've never commented on on your Fiat even though I love it. Got a tube framed Fiberglass Fiat of my own.

 

Don't stop we are out here watching. a better way to see how you are doing is look to see how many views you have. Right now you are at 41,000+ people stopping by for a look and that is pretty good stuff for a build thread on here.

 

I know you do Roo. I always look forward to your insight and advice. thanks

 

Tom,
I know you follow regularly. You and a few other guys keep me going on here. Always appreciate your support. Thank You

 

Bob,
I have also followed your Fiat build from when it was a drag car to when you built the Crosley and the Fiat again. Glad you like mine also. Bob

 

Loudbang,
It's the few guys that check in often that keep me going on this forum including you. I have been on other sites in the past and they seem to dry up, and I lose interest. I was just starting to feel that way here. Thanks for your words of encouragement, it means a lot.

 

Bob - I know how you feel. I have posted several times with descriptions of my cars - first my 1935 Dodge Brothers pickup, then with pictures of the Simca. Not that I expected great accolades, but I was surprised by the lack of interest or responses. Maybe if I could find an old race car in a barn, or build a gasser .......

 

yes, exactly. I noticed that.

 

Here are some before and after pic's of the back door and drivers door. They are not in order but I think you'll get the idea.

 

Your spare tire well is gone from the back door! Will it still close correctly?
Seriously, the doors look great. Have you driven the car yet, or are you holding out for a finished product?
John

 

John,
up & down the street once and a few burnouts in the driveway. That was at Christmas. After that I disassembled the car so it could go to the body shop. once it is painted I will pull the body off, finish some details on the chassis and then send that to get powder coated. Then bring it home and start putting it back together hopefully for one of the last times. The rear door closes fine. It made a huge difference shortening the door. it is much easier to handle and the swing seems shorter and easier then when it was the full door.

 

I always check to see how your continuing efforts to pack ten pounds into a three pound sack is going... LOL. Few people realize just how tiny these cars are. Keep up the good work!

 

Wow! The car was really lumpy. great job on getting all that ironed out.

 

Your not kidding they are small. Just looking at the windshield it is only 36" wide. Hold up a tape measure at 36", it will make you laugh compared to a normal sized car or truck.

 

Thanks Bob,
Those were the worst spots but the entire car had troubled areas.

 

She's all in primer and looking pretty outside this morning.

 

We're still here. It may not seem like we are but, ...oh wait, gotta check my iPhone. Just kidding, I often follow threads but don't have anything worthwhile to say. Loudbang has a good point.
Its threads like yours that I enjoy the most. I know what sheetmetal and rust looks like, and that's pretty much the extent of my sheetmetal skills. All the stuff you've had to do, especially when you had to extend your front sheetmetal, is fascinating to watch and learn about. With all the rust you keep finding it looks like I'll be here awhile.

 

Great to see you get it this far. Looks great, you should be proud! Keep at it the hard work is all worth it.

 

Thanks Eli &Tom, I enjoy sharing my progress with you guys. You have been so poor rive right along. In a long term build like mine there can be some pretty dark days and to be honest I nearly gave up a few times. I came very close to selling the Fiat a time or two, tempted by other projects. The encouragement from my family, friends and supporters here on the Hamb have been instrumental in where I am at this point.

Sent from my SM-G900V using H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I have been following along from the start. I love your little monster. You have a lot of talent sir! The car is outstanding.

 

Thanks Mikey, You have been a great supporter also. glad you like how it is progressing. Should be painted in a couple weeks, I'll keep ya posted.

 

Mikey,
I think you are on to something here. I like the Name "Little Monster" it just might stick.

 

Geez, can't get more appropriate then that! Guess its better than that Irish name I had in mind, "Shatmeself".

 

That's funny, My wife and I were talking today and I told here I will probably shatmeself. when I drove the car again. I never took it out of first gear when I drove it. There may be a lot of shaty britches when I finally get it into high gear. lol

 

Short wheel base cars with lots of power = under wear changes in 1320 feet.