I have a set of Early Fiat 126 wheels which I believe were fitted to the Fiat 500 R (not sold in the UK). They have a wider track and 135R12 tyres which I think fit the wheel arches better. However I wanted to fit the original Fiat 500 Hub caps on these wheels as i don't really like the look of the wheels and wanted the origional look.
I was wandering if anybody else had tried this? I was thinking of drilling a hole on the centre of the wheel and welding a nut onto the back inside face, but I'm worried about clearance on the front wheels where the bearing centre dome sticks out. Having offered up the hub cap to the wheel I can see that there is about a 5mm gap between the hub cap and the wheel at the centre hole, but not enough of a gap to weld a nut to the outside of the wheel. I wandering of it is possible or necessary to cut a hexagonal hole in the centre of the wheel and weld a nut part way into the wheel.
If anybody has had experience of this and could advise I would be most grateful.
Many Thanks

The 500R rims are 3.5J to take the 125 tyres and the 126 wheels are 4J to take the 135s. I know that many people run 135 tyres on the original wheels as they are so much easier to get not to mention a whole lot cheaper.

Thanks for clarifying that. It may be the easiest option to put 135s on the standard Rims.

I have a complete set of rims, tyres and hubcaps if your intetested

You could cut down a rivnut and insert that. Use a test piece of steel to work out length required to compress down to give a secure flange a be within your 5mm clearance.

I suspect Aluminium rivnuts would be best in this application, as you don't have to tighten up hub cap bolts too much.

Cheers, Steve

AndrewHarvey said:

I have a complete set of rims, tyres and hubcaps if your intetested

Click to expand...

Definitely interested. I have sent you a personal message

i've sent a reply to your email address supplied along with a photo

stevehg said:

You could cut down a rivnut and insert that. Use a test piece of steel to work out length required to compress down to give a secure flange a be within your 5mm clearance.

I suspect Aluminium rivnuts would be best in this application, as you don't have to tighten up hub cap bolts too much.

Cheers, Steve

Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. I was looking at rivet and T nuts online.

I know this thread is a bit old, but I am in the same situation.
My (new to me) 500 came with 126 rims and center caps.
I would also like to have hubcaps.
My idea is to drill and epoxy a nut to the inside of the center cap so the screw can go thru the hubcap - center cap and into the nut.
Here is my wheel