General New 500F owner

[jmb79]

Hi,

Proud owner of a LHD 1971 500F with 650cc 126 engine and synchro box. Currently waiting for it to be UK registered so sadly I cannot drive it at the moment. I have a couple of questions if anyone can help:
1. The gear stick spins 360 degrees and just keeps turning. Any ideas how to fix it?
2. Would like to put a classic bucket seat in the front as the current one keeps collapsing. Anyone got any experience of what seats fit?
3. Anyone know any good garages in Sussex area experienced in classic 500's?

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[AndrewHarvey]

Google middle Barton garage
They are real experts and Tony is a great bloke
Bucket seats are possible - I'm fitting a pair soon
You need the fitting kit @ £90 the pair and away you go!

 

[oopsadaisy]

Welcome to the forum!


Not sure what you are asking about the gear stick - you mean it rotates?


If so, that's perfectly normal..... !

 

[Vitesse]

The nearest specialist I know to Sussex is a place called Autorossa in Ringwood Hampshire. I haven't dealt with them for years but they are still going strong.

Tony

 

[ozza]

Cliff at autorossa in Ring wood is a great guy. Bit of a trek though

 

[jmb79]

Thanks for the info.

I will have a look at Autorossa.

Where can I get the bucket seat mounting kit?

I have since realised that the gear stick is meant to rotate!

 

[Vitesse]

I have been trying to remember his name since I posted?????

Crumbs I dealt with him 20 years ago, he must be well into his 60's now?

 

[AndrewHarvey]

seat mountings :

http://www.passione500.it/rivestime...-sedili-tipo-fusina-su-guide-pianali-fiat-500

what seats do you have?

 

[jmb79]

I dont yet have any seats. I have seen some on Axel Gerstl website but am on a tight budget and they are more than I really want to pay. I have looked at Cobra Classic RS, or similar. Do you know if these will fit?

 

[AndrewHarvey]

whats your budget??

 

[jmb79]

As little as poss! Cobra classic RS is a couple of hundred, so around that sort of price would be good.

 

[AndrewHarvey]

are you planning to only fit one?

Most of the bucket seat subframes do not tilt... If you fit both front seats - you cannot access the rear seats....

 

[jmb79]

I was planning to only fit one for that reason so I could still access the back seats on the passenger side. But the seat bases on the link above say that they tilt and slide, presumably giving access to the rear like the standard seats? If so I might replace both. Do you know if a cobra classic rs or similar seat would fit these bases without any modification?

 

[AndrewHarvey]

As
Orr


Sorry I don't know if they will fit
I'm due to buy a pair when I return from my holiday to Italy
If you can wait till mid August I can sent you detailed info on the fitting detail
If not - buy a pair of the subframes and if you don't want them I'll buy them from you...

 

[the hobbler]

Morning Jamie;
Try looking at the 'BB Classic seats' web-site. They have a range of bucket-seats, about £180 a PAIR (but you will still need to obtain a fitting kit). See if they will sell you a single seat. If your driving seat keeps collapsing, why not get a single seat and see if you can modify the base of the old front seat to fit, which will then also give a 'tilt' facility?

 

[jmb79]

Cheers, I saw BB classics when I did a search for seats on Google. Do you have any experience of them? Quality etc?

Think I will take the plunge and buy a pair of the tilting sliding bases on Passione500 as they will still allow access to the back seats.

 

[AndrewHarvey]

Go for it - as I said - if they are not what you want I'll have them.....

 

[jmb79]

Just bought a pair of tilting/sliding seat bases from passione500. Just need to decide on seats now!

Will let you know if I decide I don't want them.

 

[jmb79]

Where did you get your Fusina seats from out of interest? How wide are they? Found a site that sells 43cm and 50cm wide ones?

 

[AndrewHarvey]

Sorry I'm away on my holidays at the moment
I'll let you know the width upon my return
I bought second hand so that's no help