BUYING WITH CONFIDENCE

CONCOURS £18,000+

1 CHOOSE CAREFULLY Rare derivatives top the value hierarchy. The Giardiniera estate vans enjoy a seller’s market, while original Abarths can exceed £50,000.

2 DON’T PAY TOO MUCH Early cars, especially suicide door cars (pre-1965) and before plastic trim (1967-onwards) add exoticism, but not much of a premium.

3 ASK IF IT’S A UK CAR Right-hand-drive increases desirability, especially if the car is an original UK-supplied survivor – they’re very hard to find, now.

GOOD £8000-18,000

1 CHECK THE RESTOS Most have had bodywork refurbs. Quality matters, so use a magnet in a sock to check for filler, and beware dodgy welding.

2 IS IT THE REAL DEAL? Abarth replicas are popular, and are often less than £15,000. Done well, they’re massive fun for the money, but quality is key.

3 ORIGINALITY MATTERS This is crucial to long-term value, though mechanicals are rarely original, so do check for matching numbers. Get expert help if necessary.

USABLE £4000-8000

1 LOOK FOR DAMAGE Crash damage is common, especially among Italian cars, causing alignment issues that eat tyres and driveshafts (check the history).

2 WATCH OUT FOR ROT Likely to be an ongoing menace at this price. Floorpans are among the worst areas, plus sills, wheelarches and the battery tray.

3 CHECK THE QUALITY Distinguish between ‘lick and a promise’ 500s and proper enthusiasts’ cars. Non-OEM service parts are a clue; approach with caution.

PROJECT £2000- 4000

1 GRIT YOUR TEETH

Be prepared to pay handsomely for quality work – far more than the sale price of many ‘restored’ 500s. An as-new engine is £2500. 2 ASK ABOUT PARTS

Non-OEM availability is generally good but has a poor reputation, especially electrics from the Far East. Quality parts are rare. 3 IS IT WORTH IT?

Don’t underestimate the difficulty in doing it properly. A specialist will charge about £20k for a top-notch restoration.