🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Fiat

Model:

500

Year:

1972

👋 Introduction

Vehicle Segment:

City Car / Microcar

Design Philosophy:

Iconic Italian design, focused on affordability, practicality, and nimble urban maneuverability.

Key Competitors 1972:

Volkswagen Beetle, Citroën Dyane, Renault 4, Mini (BMC)

Manual Objective:

To provide comprehensive repair and maintenance guidance for the Fiat 500, mirroring factory service information.

Manual Audience:

Primarily professional technicians, but also beneficial for experienced DIY mechanics.

Manual Advantage:

Step-by-step instructions, critical specifications, and illustrations for confident repairs.

📋 Manual Details

Manual Type:

Repair Service Manual

Language:

English

Format:

PDF Download

Specifications:

Full Printable

Delivery:

Instant Download

Requirements:

Adobe PDF Reader, WinZip

Compatibility:

All Versions of Windows & Mac

📖 Manual Coverage

Engine Service:

Complete disassembly, assembly, maintenance, and repair procedures for the Fiat 500's air-cooled engine.

Fuel System:

Detailed instructions for carburetor adjustment, fuel pump, fuel lines, and fuel tank maintenance.

Ignition System:

Information on distributor, ignition coil, spark plugs, and timing adjustments.

Cooling System:

While air-cooled, this covers airflow management and associated components.

Transmission Service:

Procedures for manual gearbox inspection, repair, and clutch assembly.

Suspension And Steering:

Maintenance and repair of front and rear suspension, steering rack, and linkages.

Braking System:

Detailed guidance on hydraulic brake system, including master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, drums, and lines.

Electrical System:

Wiring diagrams, component testing (starter, generator, battery, lights), and troubleshooting.

Body And Chassis:

Repair procedures for body panels, doors, windows, and interior components.

Routine Maintenance:

Oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug checks, lubrication points, and general inspections.

Troubleshooting:

Step-by-step diagnostic procedures for common starting, running, and electrical issues.

Disassembly And Assembly:

Comprehensive guides for removing, inspecting, cleaning, and reassembling major vehicle components.

Major Repairs:

Detailed instructions for engine rebuilds, transmission overhauls, and brake system overhauls.

Component Replacement:

Guidance on replacing wear items like belts, hoses, bearings, and suspension bushings.

Reinstallation Procedures:

Detailed guidance for correctly fitting removed components after cleaning, repair, or replacement.

Depth Level:

Comprehensive coverage suitable for professional technicians and skilled DIY enthusiasts with basic mechanical and electrical knowledge.

Specifications Coverage:

Includes critical torque specifications, clearances, fluid capacities, and electrical resistance values.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

PDF

Print Quality:

Full Printable

Zoom Capability:

Yes (Zoom IN/OUT)

Binding Type:

Digital (Downloadable PDF)

Paper Type:

N/A (Digital Format)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Type:

Air-cooled, naturally aspirated, overhead valve (OHV) inline-twin (two-cylinder)

Displacement Cc:

499.5 cc (For the 500 'Dino' or 'Special' variants, a 594 cc or 652 cc might be present in later models or specific markets, but 1972 typically points to the 499.5 cc or a slightly larger variant like the 594 cc for the 500 L)

Bore X Stroke:

Approx. 67.4 mm x 71.5 mm (for 499.5 cc)

Compression Ratio:

Approximately 7.1:1 to 7.5:1 (depending on variant)

Horsepower Ps Rpm:

Approx. 18-20 PS (13-15 kW) at around 4000-4800 rpm

Torque Nm Rpm:

Approx. 32-35 Nm at around 3000-3200 rpm

Carburetor Type:

Single Solex 24 or 26 (typically Solex 24 PICT-2 for the 499.5cc engine)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded gasoline (though leaded gasoline was common and engines of this era were designed for it; unleaded requires care with valve seats).

Oil Type Recommendation:

SAE 20W-50 or SAE 10W-30, often specified as API SE or SF rated. Consult manual for exact spec.

Oil Capacity Liters:

Approximately 2.5 - 3.0 liters (including filter, if applicable on certain models)

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type:

Manual

Gear Count:

4-speed forward, 1-speed reverse

Clutch Type:

Dry, single-plate diaphragm spring

Synchromesh:

Likely present on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears; 1st gear may be non-synchromesh.

Transmission Fluid Type:

GL-4 Hypoid gear oil (e.g., SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90, check manual for exact specification).

📐 Dimensions

Length Mm:

Approx. 2970 mm

Width Mm:

Approx. 1370 mm

Height Mm:

Approx. 1325 mm

Wheelbase Mm:

Approx. 1840 mm

Curb Weight Kg:

Approx. 500-550 kg (depending on trim and equipment)

Gross Vehicle Weight Kg:

Approx. 800-850 kg

🛡️ Safety Features

Crash Safety Era:

Designed in an era with significantly different safety standards; lacks modern passive safety features like airbags or crumple zones.

Brakes:

Hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels.

Seat Belts:

May have been optional or not fitted as standard on early 1972 models; later models or specific markets might include them.

Body Structure:

Unibody construction, but without the advanced crumple zone technology of modern vehicles.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Basic AM radio, often optional. Manual covers radio installation and basic troubleshooting.

Braking Assistance:

None beyond the hydraulic system; no ABS or power assist.

Connectivity Features:

N/A for its era; focus is on mechanical and electrical system function.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Typically every 3,000 - 5,000 km or annually, whichever comes first. Consult manual for specific recommendation.

Tune Up Interval:

Recommended at 10,000 - 15,000 km, involving spark plug adjustment, ignition timing, carburetor tuning, and valve lash checks.

Brake Fluid Change:

Every 2 years, as brake fluid absorbs moisture and degrades performance.

Engine Oil Viscosity:

SAE 20W-50 recommended for general use; SAE 10W-30 for colder climates. Check manual for exact API rating.

Transmission Fluid Type:

GL-4 gear oil, typically SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90.

Brake Fluid Type:

DOT 3 or DOT 4.

Coolant Type:

N/A (Air-cooled engine).

Rust Prone Areas:

Wheel arches, floor pans, sills, door bottoms, and around window seals.

Engine Wear:

Piston ring wear, valve seat recession (especially with unleaded fuel without hardened seats), and oil leaks from gaskets and seals.

Electrical Issues:

Corroded wiring connectors, faulty switches, and generator/regulator issues.

Transmission Synchro Wear:

Grinding into gears, particularly 2nd and 3rd, due to worn synchromesh rings.

📚 Vehicle History

Fiat Brand Legacy:

Fiat (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) is one of Italy's oldest and most significant automotive manufacturers, known for producing accessible and innovative vehicles.

Fiat 500 Lineage:

The 'Nuova' Fiat 500, designed by Dante Giacosa, debuted in 1957 as a successor to the rear-engined Fiat 600. The 1972 model falls into the later iterations, often referred to as the Fiat 500 'R' (Rinnovata) or the 500 'L' (Lusso) in its various forms before its discontinuation in 1975.

Production Period:

1957-1975

Manufacturing Locations:

Primary production in Turin, Italy. Also produced under license in other countries, including Austria (Steyr-Puch) and Yugoslavia (Zastava).

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Cultural Impact:

Iconic status in automotive history, widely recognized for its charm, simplicity, and cultural significance as a symbol of post-war Italian economic recovery and personal mobility.

Reliability Era Context:

Relatively simple mechanics contribute to ease of repair, but inherent design limitations and age can lead to various maintenance needs.