I was perusing some nice 500s and came across these seats.
Obviously not standard - are they from a 126?

Look potentially comfortable!

They do look like 126 seats.

When I rebuilt my 500, I had the original seats reupholstered but wasn't happy with them mainly from a safety perspective. They hinged at the front but didn't lock.

I had also bought a cheap and rather nasty early 1990s 126 (Niki 650) which I was using for parts for my 695 conversion - crankcase, wheel hubs, rear suspension etc. and though the body was a rusty wreck, the seats were fine and only needed new upholstery.

The other advantages of the 126 seats were that they fitted on the same tracks as the 500 seats, lock down, recline and have small headrests. I eventually had them reupholstered and fitted them to the car.

Picture attached.

Chris

Ooh I like those a lot!
Thanks for the pic.
If only 126 donor cars were still around in affordable price ranges here...

BambinoClassic said:

I was perusing some nice 500s and came across these seats.
Obviously not standard - are they from a 126?

Look potentially comfortable!

Click to expand...

Greetings, My seats are still original late model 126 (BIS I think) the side catch still works, but the seats are a tight fit on the 500 rails and so are semi - fixed
Ian.

I thought the tight sliding was normal! Par for the course on my old 500.

Do the 126 ones recline all the way forward AND tilt, making for easier entry into the back seat?

BambinoClassic said:

I thought the tight sliding was normal! Par for the course on my old 500.

Do the 126 ones recline all the way forward AND tilt, making for easier entry into the back seat?

Click to expand...

Well the solution to rear access is using a rear door.....



You can then improve spare wheel access

BambinoClassic said:

Ooh I like those a lot!
Thanks for the pic.
If only 126 donor cars were still around in affordable price ranges here...

Click to expand...

I bought mine around 6 years ago when you couldn't give them away. At that time they had the reputation of being one of the worst cars you could ever buy new in Australia.


Have a look on Gumtree etc. There must be some in Aus being wrecked.

Chris

WHen I called around a while ago looking for them, they were $3500+
One of the chap said that it's all the folk with 500s wanting to put 650 engines in them

These are just pull-on covers. Pretty easy to fit and are comfy.

BambinoClassic said:

I thought the tight sliding was normal! Par for the course on my old 500.

Do the 126 ones recline all the way forward AND tilt, making for easier entry into the back seat?

Click to expand...

Hello BC, here are two pic's of my seats - they tilt forward from the front, but the headrest needs to be down for them to get as far as the windscreen. The locking catch is at the outside and rear of the rails. There is also a wide bar under the front of the seat bolster that pulls up and allows the seat back to recline a short distance or all the way to rest on the rear seat bolster. Hope this helps.
Ian.

Well.... I am sure the shipping would be a lot less than $3000,,,
I just happen to have a really nice pair.... of 126 seats and the rear + door cards....
I was going to recover them for a 500... but they are just too nice...
They form part of my TAT collection if anyone wishes to purchase them,,,,

Ooh looks almost like with the headrest there the back seat entry space is even narrower! But they do look comfy, as do the Abarth covers.

BambinoClassic said:

Ooh looks almost like with the headrest there the back seat entry space is even narrower! .

Click to expand...

How big are your kids?
You can get almost anything in the back of a 500...

BambinoClassic said:

WHen I called around a while ago looking for them, they were $3500+
One of the chap said that it's all the folk with 500s wanting to put 650 engines in them

Click to expand...

Ouch ....

Probably partially my fault - sorry


Chris

Forgiven
The 650 engines on their own seem to be in demand, it's around $1000 for a barn/backyard find now!

On the subject of seats, I have fixed frame seats in my 500. I could really do with a pair with the adjustable back (reclining). I see a few vendors have them for sale, but I really don't want to spend 230 quid on each one.

Any other suggestions?

cheers
Rob

lazylobster said:

On the subject of seats, I have fixed frame seats in my 500. I could really do with a pair with the adjustable back (reclining). I see a few vendors have them for sale, but I really don't want to spend 230 quid on each one.

Any other suggestions?

cheers
Rob

Click to expand...

I have some reclining Fiat 126 seats here. I am located about 5 miles outside junction 18 of the M25

Strangely I just checked my seats and find that they are already adjustable! I’ve owned for a while and did not even know :bang:

Looks like the restore company did me a favour. Thanks to those who reached out to me.

Cheers
Rob

lazylobster said:

Strangely I just checked my seats and find that they are already adjustable! I’ve owned for a while and did not even know :bang:

Looks like the restore company did me a favour. Thanks to those who reached out to me.

Cheers
Rob

Click to expand...

Ooh wonder what seats they are and how they recline?
Is it that handlebar structure on the left? Amazing that a little bit of lean back can give that much more comfort

Hi, think these are out of a L model, I've not tried for comfort yet as car is now in hibination for winter

But, I'm confident that this will help as when driving, I found the seats a little too upright for my comfort.


Cheers
Rob