Author Topic: 1974 Fiat 126 'Tetto Aprible' Restoration  (Read 59226 times)

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Kent126

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1974 Fiat 126 'Tetto Aprible' Restoration
« on: August 15, 2012, 01:44:53 PM »
'Biagio' - Italian for 'Stutterer, or Little Stutter'

So the time has finally come, where most of the DIY in the house has been completed, and I have the time and money to start my restoration of my 126 sunroof model from 1974. This is the only 126 car I have, and I have had to resist urges to buy other working models after selling my old white 1984 one last year. But I have decided to put all my time and hard earned cash into this one, which I know will be the right decision when it has been finished.





This car has been sat in my garden for the last 10 months since buying it, and previous to that it was sat on Ladislavs driveway for approx 2 years (am I right, Ladislav?)

I am told the car is almost complete so will need to go through the boxes and see what if anything is missing.

Brief history of the car;

Built in 1974 at the Italian factory (proven with dating certificate from Fiat UK) and has an original factory fitted sunroof. I believe only a small handful of these are now left, can anyone can confirm or deny?

It was rescued years ago by a gentleman from SE London who saved the shell from an automechanics college where they used to practice welding on cars. It was rebuilt using a donor car which the gentlemans sister had at the time. I still have some original paperwork from the donor car including the VIN plates. It was allegedly completely restored, although the paint work looks like it has been handpainted with a brush in places and not a great job has been done either.

Some of the welding is crap, and will need to be amended along with the new welding that needs to be done.

It would appear that there is electrical wiring for an electric starter motor, a rev counter has been wired in and some other bits. All of which will be removed.

Gentleman came over from the local bodyshop to inspect it and has given me some advice as welding and spraying is not something which I really want to attempt myself.

Im currently just getting ideas of cost, and various ways of acheiving the end goal (and trying to avoid getting further 'tellings off'!!!) :$

On first inspection it would appear most of the issues can be repaired in situ, with just both rear arches needing replacing. Both sills and the front will however probably be replaced as I have the spare panels anyway.

The hard bit about the whole project will be getting started as I dont have a huge plethora of mechanical knowledge, but just enough to 'get by'.

There are about 94 photo's here in an album, most taken by ladislav, some by myself of its current condition. I wil update this thread as and when work takes place with pictures where possible.

http://photobucket.com/1974fiat126

I am hoping to have the car finished for Slovakia 2013, although I realise that this could be a tall order with work etc.

The aim is for a total resotration from ground up, with some slight engine modifcations for power, and some decent suspension, brakes etc (due to having a heavy right foot, and an agressive driving style!  :o)

But I do want to keep it looking as original looking as I can, as I think it would be a shame to spoil it and i'm aiming to keep the dark blue paint from the factory.

Anyway, enough babble for now. See you all at retro rides (in my rover!  :$)

Watch this space!

Tom
Kent126
« Last Edit: October 21, 2013, 05:30:53 PM by Kent126 »
1974 Italian Fiat 126 TA
1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
2008 Fiat Panda 100HP

Bar Vitelli

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2012, 04:21:20 PM »
Good luck with the restoration, Tom, that's a super rare car you've got there...it will definitely be worth it once done!  ;D
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Kent126

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2012, 10:42:27 PM »
Im not sure how many are left, I heard the figure of 4 being mentioned but unfortunately the fact that it has a sunroof isn't mentioned on the V5, so howmanyleft and DVLA records probably wont be able to asist.

Tom
1974 Italian Fiat 126 TA
1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
2008 Fiat Panda 100HP

dajwid

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2012, 01:32:44 PM »
Deville 14 left on the road.

Kent126

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2012, 03:31:50 PM »
I don't think it is a de-ville. The de-ville was produced in the early 80's and was the latest sunroof model at the time, so it would have just been registered as a Fiat 126, there is no way of telling how many early 70's models with sunroofs are left.

Tom
1974 Italian Fiat 126 TA
1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
2008 Fiat Panda 100HP

1973/126

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2012, 04:05:07 PM »
 According to How Many Left there is a 126 TA model 3 licensed and 2 on SORN. The T normaly stands for the sunroof.
 The De-Ville was marketed as the Personal 4 in Europe and as Tom says they were produced from late 70`s early 80`s this is a very early sunroof chrome bumper model and must be quiet rare.

 I definitely know of an other one(unfortunately just rusting away on someones drive).
1972 Fiat 500
1980 Fiat 126

Bar Vitelli

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2012, 08:18:27 PM »
TA (in case you did not know) stands for Tetto Aprible which I think is Italian for sun roof.

I did see one earlier in the year but it looked like it could have been a DIY job with the sun roof so your car is really, really rare as an original chrome bumper sun roof...I've got a book that shows some of the pictures of these when they first came out and they look amazing!
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Kent126

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2012, 06:10:41 PM »
Good news all around then!  ;D Thanks for the input guys. Although on my V5, the car appears to be registered as just Fiat 126 with no 'TA' suffix.

Which makes me wonder how accurate these figures are!?

We know it is a genuine Italian built car though due to the dating letter from Fiat confirming when it was built.

Hmmmmm.

Tom
1974 Italian Fiat 126 TA
1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
2008 Fiat Panda 100HP

Hazey-n-Marc

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2012, 06:28:10 PM »
TA (in case you did not know) stands for Tetto Aprible which I think is Italian for sun roof.

Aprible means opening, not that I'm pedantic or anything  :D

Kent126

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2012, 01:15:50 PM »
Thought i'd give you some sort of update  :$

Not a lot has happened, but I have ordered some shiny nice new bits which are slowly arriving;


Nice new box of bits from Axel Gerstl


New rear arches, fuel tank and VIN plate


New front panel


New door pillar panels from 126fan, Slovakia.

Also just arrived an original voxson radio to replace the old missing one;



Waiting for a couple more bits to arrive, and I am finally in discussions with someone about having the welding done.  ;D

Possible house move next year, and maybe a change of job locations is likely to slow progress but we shall see.  :(

Tom
« Last Edit: November 28, 2012, 01:19:56 PM by Kent126 »
1974 Italian Fiat 126 TA
1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
2008 Fiat Panda 100HP

Madd

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2012, 10:55:32 PM »
Quote
New front panel
From ELEGANT's?  :o... ???
Fiat 126 RHD & BOSMAL :) in Poland

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Amateb8

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2013, 11:18:14 AM »
Good luck on the restoration! As mentioned previously, these early models are desirable, so is a good investment!! It could potentially be worth more than what you will spend on it.

Kent126

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2013, 05:57:48 PM »
**UPDATE - 18th January 2013**

Progress still very slow. Still trying to get my kitchen finished amongst other things. Lots of bits ordered and slowly arriving though.

I've had a bit of a bad start to 2013, I got assaulted at work and ended up in hospital, then I ended up being shunted up the rear in Devon on the motorway which resulted in my car being written off and being off work for two weeks. On the plus side, i've now got some extra cash to spend on the 126!  ;D

So, hopefully fingers crossed nothing else will happen and I can start work on the car as opposed to just buying bits for it!

The next update will be very soon when it finally goes off for welding!  ;D

Tom
« Last Edit: January 18, 2013, 06:00:01 PM by Kent126 »
1974 Italian Fiat 126 TA
1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
2008 Fiat Panda 100HP

dajwid

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2013, 06:28:51 PM »
Keep you head up and solder on  :D

I got assaulted at work, I really hope you are OK

Car written off, Blimey, good job you were insured.

'Shunted up the rear in Devon'   :$ ??? ::) :-X  NO Comment.

 ;D




Bar Vitelli

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Re: 1974 Fiat 126 'Sunroof Model' Restoration by Kent126
« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2013, 11:13:02 AM »
Hope you're okay, Tom...

Great to hear you are still working away with the restoration, it will all be worth it in the end!  ;)
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