While reading, you will listen to the story of Salem and his 1500 Fiat 1966, a fascinating story about funny experiences, incredible situations and a series of car adventures. The law of attraction, the child in the man, childhood memories play an important role.
Salem is originally from Bosnia and when he visited his family in 2009 he came across a Zastava 1500, as we know, the FIAT of the 1300 or 1500 type built under license. Because his grandfather used to drive this “Mercedes of Yugoslavia”, his memories came rushing back. Zastava Automobili was a Yugoslavian (and later Serbian) car factory that produced models based on FIAT technology.
Goosebump moment
The dormant memories were awakened and the purchase of a Zastava was almost a necessity because of the positive and warm memories from his childhood. After purchase, the car was restored on site for a new hobby life in the Netherlands, and it was met with admiring glances.
In the Netherlands, the Zastava attracted a lot of attention at vintage car shows and at a show in Almere, Salem was approached by the owner of an original FIAT 1500 from 1966. This car had been imported from Italy and had been standing still for some time due to engine problems. Interest was aroused to bring this FIAT back to life, but this time it really involved a complete restoration, overhauling the engine, from project to its original new condition. (The photos are proof.)
Incredible situation
When the Zastava was offered, there was a response from a veteran who spent part of his service in Bosnia. Because he saw the Zastavas driving there a lot, this car attracted him like a magnet, just sympathy for the brand where the past of his service had a healing effect. A car from the past can give you a feeling of what you need in your life.
Car adventures
The previous tours in the Balkans were adventures in themselves. The police stopped Salem not for a violation but to look at the FIAT. Nostalgia has positive effects, passers-by waved with both hands when they saw the car in its native country.
Sometimes things in life don't go as planned, due to the hustle and bustle of his family and his construction company, the FIAT 1500 stands still too much. That is why this attractive elderly lady is looking for a new home. The appeal will remain with every hobby ride! The new owner who will take care of the FIAT 1500 will notice this.
OH YES, the first real Italian that my father, a general practitioner in Zeeland, bought in 1964. As an Italy lover, he took his 5 children across the Alps every summer in this (navy blue) '1500'. Never had any real bad luck on the road, that was different with the Peugeot 403, in which we were squeezed in with 5 children.
On the advice of his son, the undersigned, he had an Abarth exhaust screwed in, making the upgrade for such a car a unique event: with a nice crackle he revved up, which for a general practitioner in the countryside. a remarkable and audible presence...
Bought one once...felt like a B model Alfa . Wonderfully fast, good handling and a lot of power for a 1500. The navy blue felt real Alfa-ish……
In mid-1967 my father had a FIAT 1500 Combi model.
Also blue with third door (so no hatch) lots of space!
I have never seen the combination model as a classic.
Peter.
= this also “sales site”? Then bid 2k.
Hans, now that you mention it, you're right. I think the letter C behind 1500 stood for comfort due to the larger legroom.
Nice stainless copy. My father drove an almost identical 60 example (MT-1963-28) in the 75s. Nice car, but wanted to rust badly. This example is a bit of a mystery. Until 9/1964 the 1300 and 1500 were identical. The 1500 was then succeeded by the 1500C, recognizable by a different grille, different rear lights and extended by 8 cm for more legroom in the back. The 1300 was succeeded in 1966 by the 124 and the 1500C in 1967 by the 125.
Since my father sold Fiats in those years, we as a family also had quite a few.
I think the grille, steering wheel and taillights are from a Fiat 1300 and not a 1500, the 1500 had a more luxurious grille, a partially padded steering wheel and larger taillights.
The glove box should say "millecinquecento", on the 1300 this was of course "milletrecento"
Furthermore, a beautiful car that I have many memories of.