Supercoupe wrote: Finding a small enough transaxle and motor to fit in back is the major hurdle. The engine was a whopping 17hp and the original gearbox is non-synchro, the axles are the diameter of toothpicks. But weighing in at 1035 lbs, it shouldn't need much to move it along. We'll see.....
Keeping with the italian blood lines... I'm sure there is a wrecked Ducati that could donate some squirt.
Such awesome looking little cars. I need to upload the pics of some of the Fiats from the Lane Motoring Museum.
Jensenman wrote: It needs something really punchy sitting in the middle.
Yeah...Me! oh, sorry, I thought you said "paunchy". Never mind.
Supercoupe wrote: The most radical I want to get is similar to the Abarth version since the body is too nice to destroy and the fact that it's an original US export version, recognized by it's raised, aka Bugeye style, headlights that were needed to meet US headlight height laws back in the day.
I have to agree... too nice and too rare to totally butcher up into a Challenge car... although a resto-mod Abarth version would be cool. Under $2010? Possible, I suppose... 
I actually have a 948 Spridget motor that's had some work done (bought that in pieces back in '76 for $175), flat tops,drilled lifters,magnafluxed/balanced crank, lightened flywheel,cam,etc.. that I was thinking of bolting in, an extra 65hp should get me started and I don't have to chop up the engine compartment, just redo the rear crossbrace and re-hang the engine lid ala Abarth open style. I've looked into drilling the Sprite engine plate to fit the Fiat trans and it looks like it could work using the Fiat clutch. Of course I have to fit a radiator somewhere....
I have seen pics of a 600 with a x1/9 engine mounted to a stock (or at least in the stock position) transmission. I am glad you arent planning to cut it up, that could be a $20k+ car if it was restored. Actually if its not terribly rusty, it would be worth over $3k just the way it is.
oh oh oh...I KNOW!!!
Cash for Clunkers!
kidding
CUT_IT_UP! CUT_IT_UP! CUT_IT_UP!
C'mon man! A rear mounted turbo B-series would be freaking hawt (IMO.) Hell, even sans-turbo it could be a solid 13 sec. car.
I'd avoid bike engines for a production-based car—especially if you want to autocross it later. It automatically puts you in B or A mod, vs E/D mod. We were Berkeley'd on that when we built the Berkeley.
I've been kind of half looking for one for a few years. Good luck and please keep us updated! I agree, don't chop it up to pieces. It is indeed too nice. 
I had never seen one of those cars before I opened this thread. Where was it made?
Per Schroeder wrote: I'd avoid bike engines for a production-based car—especially if you want to autocross it later. It automatically puts you in B or A mod, vs E/D mod. We were Berkeley'd on that when we built the Berkeley.
The doublespeak in this thread is strong
There, a George Orwell and a George Lucas reference in a post about a Fiat 500. No wonder this is the best forum on the Internet.
It's a 58 Fiat 500 2 cyl rear engine air cooled. 17hp, top speed 53mph 4 spd crashbox transaxle. Italian built for export, hence the "bugeyes".
Nuova 500 Convertable, only ones with a complete fold back top, later years only the front half rolled back, suicide doors,12" tires.
poopshovel wrote: CUT_IT_UP! CUT_IT_UP! CUT_IT_UP!
No no no no no no no!
Get the body cherry, then take fiberglass molds off it so you can make copies and sell one of them to me.
I never considered that, mold the original and totally build a copy...
Now THAT is a cool idea. Best of both worlds... 
SkinnyG wrote:poopshovel wrote: CUT_IT_UP! CUT_IT_UP! CUT_IT_UP!No no no no no no no! Get the body cherry, then take fiberglass molds off it so you can make copies and sell one of them to me.
yeah!
I know what could fit in that..
wheels777 wrote: I know what could fit in that..
andy after two years of Atkins?
i keed, i keed. and while i like the roller-cam 355, i think since it's a fiat 500 that it should have a, well, you know.
TJ wrote: I vote for a bike engine.
Yeah. Put a Boss Hoss engine in there! I think GM used a similar engine in one or two of their production cars, but I'm not sure which ones...
The green car at the beginning of this clip has what would be IMO the best engine seap for one of those.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfN-5iEgmeo&feature=related
http://tinyurl.com/nta8dg 
http://tinyurl.com/nvdz86
http://tinyurl.com/phuuaj
OK it is a BMW Isetta, but you get the picture. Via NYTimes
Swift GT motor might fit?
Another vote for a bike motor. That thing could fly with a 750...or even a 600.
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