In addition, we will introduce you to the participants of our restoration competition. If you’d like to participate on Axel Gerstl Prize, please remember that submissions can be considered only until 31 May 2014.

Also we present the "Fiat Of The Month May" and many interesting offers, and new articles for the Fiat 500, the Fiat 126 and the Fiat 600.

P.S. Have you already seen our new stock display in the online shop? If not, then you can find all the info here!

You live in Germany? Are you planning a visit to Germany? Do you need to travel on your next trip to the South through Germany? Then you should know the following:

On May 1, the reform of the traffic offender file in Germany came into force. An essential part of this reform is to increase the ceiling warning fines to 55 EUR. From a fine at this altitude there are now items that are stored in the registers in Flensburg and accumulation to a temporary ban or withdrawal of the driving license (with 8 points) may result.

Most importantly, the fine - and points reform is not only true for German motorists, but also for visitors and travelers from abroad. Traffic violations can be pursued cross-border!

In the future you’ll get points not only for the speeding, driving while under the influence of alcohol, tailgating or red light running, but also for minor offenses: ***

1 point and a fine of EUR 60, - for the following offenses:

Violation of the ban on mobile phones, breach of load securing obligations or passenger transport duties, failure of the deadline for the German TÜV by more than 4 months, bad behavior on school buses, breach of the requirement for winter tires, obstruction of emergency vehicles by parking at blind spots, insufficient indication of broken-down vehicles , false light in rain, fog or snow, creation of obstacles to traffic, turning in the tunnel, breach of public transport arranged prohibitions, breach of the required tires.

1 point and a fine of EUR 60, - or EUR 70, - (depending on severity) for:

Pedestrian hazards in the pedestrian area, disregard of child safety duty, unlawful conduct on school buses, breached conditions, disregard for prohibition of the operation of a motor vehicle.

1 point as well as EUR 65, - punishment is omitted:

Obstruction of emergency vehicles by parking at fire service access.

Lastly, there is one point and EUR 70, - to pay for:

Sign or stop command of a police officer are not followed, right of way or red light violation with danger, driving without registration, driving without accompaniment when only 17 year old.

No points, but a higher fine at any of these:

There’s only two ways to avoid the fine of 80,- Euros when going through environmental zones with a Fiat 500 or Fiat 126:

1) Special registration of the vehicle as a classic car with H-plates. In this case, the vehicle must, however, correspond to the original condition and must not been modified (for example, installation of a 650cc engine in a Fiat 500). This must be confirmed by the TÜV or an expert.

2) Installation of the exclusive Axel Gerstl G-Kat's for the Fiat 500 and the Fiat 126. It achieves EURO1 emission standard, you get a green environmental badge and it protects the environment and the driver's wallet:

All other information for Axel Gerstl-G-Kat can be found here.

*** Source: Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure

In a few days, on Saturday, 31 May 2014 is the deadline for the Axel Gerstl Award for restoration work!

Until then you can still participate in our competition and win a EUR 1.000, - voucher.

Do not hesitate and send the story of the restoration of your car, documented with pictures to restauration@fiat500126.com.

You’ll find all information about the course of the competition and the conditions of participation here.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all participants for their outstanding restoration reports!

Here is a small overview of the restoration reports so far: *

Douglas Comrie:

Written with blood, sweat and tears Douglas Comrie tells about the restoration of his Fiat 500 D Giardiniera in his restoration report. For years, the small Fiat has been a victim of the elements and a playground for mice, rats and snakes. But fortunately Doug eliminates traces of dubious repair methods (wire, bread, plastic waste) and out of the "gardener" he makes a car again!

Markus Unhoch:

Markus Unhoch had to rely on his own skills and resources in order to restore his Fiat 500 F not once but twice. First, the 500 is made roadworthy, later he gets a general restoration. The result speaks for itself and leaves no doubt that the combination of a car-mechanic and the daughter of a painter is one of the best things that can happen to a Fiat 500!

Milan Mitrovic:

With the acquisition and the subsequent restoration of its Fiat 500, Milan Mitrovic also bought a new big (or "small") passion. His chic yellow 500s made it on the cover of the internet car market on www.bremen.de. The former restoration project has become a local celebrity!

Ioannis Kokonas:

This little Fiat 500 D had to endure many accidents and numerous shoddy repair works. Just before the final scrapping, Ioannis Kokonas took the challenge and re-build the five-hundred, partly in demanding manual labor.

Respect Mr. Kokonas!

Christian Leyh:

Right after buying his Fiat 500 L in Italy, Christian Leyh got a rude awakening. Behind the seemingly flawless appearance a highly accident-prone and in need of restoration car was hiding, much to the dismay of the ADAC.
But Christian Leyh turned the rust hole into a pearl and got rewarded by the Classic Data for the restoration with a score 1!

Marco Schulz:

For years, Marco Schulz longs back to the time with his dream car, his brown Fiat 126 Bambino, his first car.
Now the memory lives on in his 126 FSM Maluch, which he restored in the Hobby Shop of the Bundeswehr to this special retro-look. The biggest fan of the small 126 is now his 12-year-old daughter!

Wolfgang Schelzke:

After an accident, two previous owners and 110,000 kilometers driven, it has become time for complete restoration of Wolfgang Schelzkes Fiat 500. Together with his son and his wife, he made the little 500 a highlight in the original "Jägermeister" look with Giannini elements. Chapeau!

Dieter Helleberg:

This Fiat 500 converted from a problem child into an eye-catcher during the strenuous restoration work.
He transferred the bodywork from Belgium via the Netherlands to Germany and started his attempt to create the "perfect car".

He surely succeeded!

Rolf Hinrichs:

After countless hours of work, three years of hard labors and 7,500 euros investment this rusty Fiat 126 A turned into a brand new car. Rolf Hinrichs restoration was finally rewarded by a vintage-approval and a valuation report.

Correct!

Johann Jucker:

Like a Phoenix from the ashes, Johann Jucker created this little 500-trailer from a burnt down Fiat 500. He didn’t bring his heart to say the final death sentence for the little 500.
With its restoration Johann Jucker gave him a second life!

Dean Bazley:

Dean Bazley made the great dream of his much too early deceased father Jim come true: to bring the once newly acquired but in need of restoration Fiat 500 F back on the road. The car has become the great love of the whole family, a welcome guest at car shows across Australia and a winner of numerous awards. No doubt: Jim would certainly be very proud of Dean!

Florian Appelt:

It was a gift for his 18th birthday and for many years a faithful companion, but then it’s close to the final end after a visit at the TÜV: Florian Appelt’s Fiat 500 R. In the subsequent complete restoration all "Italian repair methods" were eliminated. After 1 ½ years, the little 500cc looks like new, and is allowed to be driven again!

Horst Habicht:

Despite nasty surprises when disassembling and despite exponentially increasing workload due to rust, Horst Habicht succeeded to bring his bright red Fiat 500 after 6 months of hard work back to road.

It was fortunate that a professional was at work, so the car world has one more marvelous Fiat 500!

Kay Freudenthal:

For years, Gina, Kay Freudenthal's Fiat 500, was abused as a trampoline by children and rusting in the garden. Then he went into a 500 fever. Despite a hospital stay and temporary blindness, he created a pretty Giannini -style Fiat 500 after laborious work. Including TUV and a valuation report of 12,500 euros!

* The restoration reports were written by the participants in their mother language. Unfortunately we could not offer translation or correction.