Vintage mopeds

Ruben, 29, grew up in a true car-loving family, where a passion for classic vehicles developed from an early age. What started with restoring vintage mopeds soon evolved into a love for classic cars.

First paycheck

In March 2021, shortly after starting his very first job, Ruben bought his own Fiat 500 with his first paycheck. Looking back, it certainly wasn’t the best example he could have chosen. “Five years later, I’d honestly call it a wreck,” he says with a smile. “But I was so in love with the Fiat 500 that I simply didn’t see its flaws.”

Full off-body restoration

What followed was a restoration journey that would take five years to complete. The Fiat underwent a full off-body restoration, during which the entire car was stripped down to its bare shell. New floor pans, sills, and a new front panel were fitted before the painstaking task of rebuilding the car began. Piece by piece, every component found its way back onto the Fiat. Almost every bolt, screw, and nut was either carefully restored or replaced with a new one, all with the goal of creating a Fiat 500 that was as close to factory condition as possible.

Today, the car is mechanically exactly as Ruben envisioned it. While virtually nothing was technically correct when he bought it, it has now been transformed into a reliable and beautifully restored classic.

Throughout the five-year restoration, Ruben sourced virtually every part from Fiat van der Laan. From major body panels to the smallest fasteners, every component needed to rebuild the car was carefully selected to ensure the highest quality.

For Ruben, however, the Fiat 500 represents far more than a beautifully restored classic. Every drive reminds him of where his personal and professional journey began. The restoration ran parallel to an important chapter in his life, one filled with both challenges and achievements.
full off-body restoration
When the Fiat was finally completed after five years of dedication, Ruben made another life-changing decision. On the very day the restoration was finished, he resigned from the job that had allowed him to buy the car in the first place. Soon afterwards, he started his own business and embarked on a completely new chapter in life.

More than a restoration project

His Fiat 500 has therefore become much more than a restoration project. It stands as a symbol of perseverance, personal growth, and the courage to pursue your dreams. A small Italian classic with a story that is inseparably connected to Ruben’s own journey.

If you like, I can also make it sound more emotional and magazine-like, similar to a feature story you would find in a classic car magazine.

Visit Classics Online – the central platform for classic cars for sale, events, clubs, and specialists in Belgium and the Netherlands.