My Fiat Topolino is a Flip Top now

Just read this thread all the way through. Man is this a cool project! The longer wheelbase definitely looks better. If you need a little photoshop work to sort out the new front end sheetmetal just let me know. I'd be glad to help out. Subscribed.

 

Yes, I am planning on lengthening the nose and move the fenders forward. I moved the wheels 10" forward but I think I will only need to add 8 or 9" to the hood because I felt originally I had the front wheels to far back under the fender.
I wouldn't mind running it fenderless but then I don't know where to put the radiator.

 

Eli,
I may take you up on that photoshop offer. Thanks, in advance.
I will probably be asking for some friendly hamb advice on the best way to lengthen the nose.

 

that's a sweet little flip topolino. the somewhat stranger cars can be the neatest

 

Yes, I spent a lot of years looking for a project that was just a little different. Glad you like it.

 

Fiats looking good!
Awesome work.


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Thank You, The support here has really helped keep me going and keep a positive outlook on the build.

 

Okay, I couldn't let this one alone. The Photoshop gods were whacking me in the head saying "Do it" ! Lol

Original
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Stretched approx 10 inches. Also dropped the nose a little bit to simulate ride height and moved the front clip back just an inch or two.
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Eli,
Wow, what a nice job!!! I was wondering if the extra length would make the Fiat look out of proportion. But I think because it is a sedan delivery it balances the look of the car. I have seen Fiat coupes that sometimes look odd when lengthened, because the body is so short that the long nose looks odd.
Thank you for the attention toward my project. I hope the actual length looks as good as your rendering.
Bob

The more I look at it the more I like it. You got it perfect. Just what I had in mind.

 

The only problem I see is that there is going to be a lot of slicing, and dicing to the hood, fenders, and even the grill to make look right. Having to change the taper from front to back along with the curves is going to be a job (unless you, or someone you know is good with sheet metal work). On another note it does look good with the nose stretched since it's a sedan delivery, but I think it would look better if it was stretched a little bit between the door, and rear fender also (but that maybe just me). I guess it goes to show why when the wheelbase of a Topolino is stretched it's easier to leave the sheet metal alone, and take the front fenders off. On mine I've actually thought about stretching the body about 2"-3" between the doors, and rear fenders, but I hate doing body work, and don't really want to cut too much on a steel Topolino.

 

I do worry about the hood taper. I did consider stretching it between the door and rear fender but that makes me nervous cutting the main body section. My thought on the hood is it will need to be pie cut near the door posts and in the center of the hood. I would install the fenders on the hood, make the cut and then set up jig to hold it in place. Then start connecting the dots to align the body lines. I should also mention that I have extra side hood pieces from another car. That helps with the body line.

 

When you find one of these in good shape, it's hard to cut on it.

 

I think I'd stretch the front fenders about 1/2 the distance to the door openings at the bottom of the fenders. That's kind of a 'dead' area with the stretch.

But I do think the longer wheelbase is better.

 

It has not been an easy decision to lengthen the Fiat. I have been working on this car on and off since Feb. of 2006. Up until recently I have made every attempt to keep the stock wheelbase and stock body appearance. It became reality that the car will be to short to run at the track also to short to do any cruising comfortably. It wasn't my first choice but I feel it has to be done. I agree it is hard to cut on.

 

Thanks Bob I appreciate it. The ten inch addition really seems to balance things out IMHO. No doubt it'll not only be more comfortable to drive but should handle a little better with the longer wheelbase whenever you hammer the throttle. Given the amount of talent on the HAMB I've no doubt that you can find the right people to provide tips regarding your sheetmetal work. Looking forward to your progress. Eli

 

Built up the courage and cut the nose off the Fiat this weekend in my attempt the lengthen it to fit the added wheelbase.

 

I was really like'in the no fenders look. Instant altered.

 

bolted up the fenders to see if they will work.

 

They looked okay but had to figure out how to put the pieces back together.

 

You can see how much of a width difference there is from front to back. Two inches each side. Time to do some slice'in and dice'in.

 

I vote to run it fenderless.
It looks absolutely AWESOME!!!

Scott


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Here is the first section tack welded in place and the drivers side sliced and clamped together.

 

I ended up adding 8" to the body and 10" to the wheelbase. It is amazing how it changed the look of the car.

 

Here's a better picture of the open wheel look.

 

Oh wow.....This has been one of my favorite build threads by far.
I love it fenderless,but I'm just stuck on the look of old Altereds...Judging by the quality of your work so far,and by your sensibilities regarding styling and esthetics,I'm pretty confident that you have the talent to change my opinion on those fenders.
Whatever you do with it,I'm sure it's going to be one amazing ride.

Scott


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I like it fenderless also but my family out voted me on it. The nose will hopefully be removeable, so maybe I can sneak it out without the hood and fenders few times.

 

LOL I hear ya! Looks good so far!

 

Love the stretched look! That will make the hood look real long looking through the windshield compared to how it was. Nice work.

 

So far it looks better than I thought, when you look straight down the body line from the front how does it look?

 

Ken,
Here is the view from the front. The drivers side I haven't finished it is only roughly fit in place. When I put the grill on I noticed it needs to be pulled in about half an inch on each side. For the most part I am happy with the way it is going for now. The transition from the hood to the cowl makes a slight angle change but I can live with that. Glad you like it so far.