Modify a Fiat 500 sunroof to fit a 126

[Minijohn]

Has anyone done this and have any photos?
I've just bought a 500 sunroof so will take some photos as I sort it out.

[Bar Vitelli]

Hi Minijohn, it’s been done on one of my cars and because it us under canvas you can’t tell the difference. All the parts are the same apart from the sunroof frame. The 126 frame is flatter, tye 500 frame is curved. The chap that did mine straightened out the curve and made it fit. Ricambio sell all the other parts you need to fit a sunroof frame and have a dedicated section on their site.

[Minijohn]

Hi Bar Vitelli
Thanks for the reply.
I've bought the complete kit for a 500.
At the moment I've taken the fabric off the frame which is now clamped to my work bench like this...

I'll release it in a couple of days to see if it's any flatter.
I could cut & weld it but I'd prefer to avoid that if I can

[Bar Vitelli]

That looks like it should work, the general dimensions for the 126 frame and the 500 frame appear the same apart from the curve.  As far as I know the 500 frame on my 126 did not need to be cut or welded. The only thing to watch out for is the seperate stainless steel piece with screws in that the canvas attaches to.  The ones that Ricambio sell always seem too long for my original sunroof 126 so we generally cut about 1 inch out and weld to make them fit.

[Minijohn]

I checked it this morning & after releasing the clamp it certainly didn't spring back as far as it's original position.
I'll give it a while longer & if necessary, I'll pack the ends to be a bit higher off the bench so I can put more pressure in the centre.

Thanks for the tip about the rearmost bar - I'll check that carefully when I get to that stage.

What strengthening did you put in your roof (if any)?
I'm obviously going to have to fit a raised lip all the way round but just wondering if more is needed.

Could you tell me the dimensions of the hole in the roof?
Also, my front bar fixings are 75cm apart - does that match yours?

My plan is to cut the hole undersize, mount the front bar & then open up the aperture so the front bar drops neatly inside the hole. Then I can weld in a lip.
Thanks

[Bar Vitelli]

Hi Minijohn, my sunroof was original so I did not need to put in any strengthening, as far as I can tell there is not any, just the raised lip that you describe.  I’ll take some measurements over the weekend once it stops raining and send them over.

[Minijohn]

Oh sorry I misunderstood - I thought you'd put a 500 sunroof into a non-sunroof 126.

I've been watching a video about fitting a sunroof in a 500 and notice the roof appears to be double skinned around the aperture.....just wondering if the 126 was the same

[Bar Vitelli]

I’ll check in the morning, I live in my cars but it’s amazing  the little things that you miss!

[Bar Vitelli]

It’s been a busy weekend, wedding anniversary, so I’ve not had chance to take the measurements but will post them tomorrow! I did sneak a photo though and yes there does seem to be some strengthening on the inside at the back of the sunroof where the screws attach the canvas to the roof.

[Minijohn]

Great - thanks.
I thought there would be something similar in the 126.

[Minijohn]

I've had the frame clamped down for a few days now and for the last 24 hours with blocks of wood under the ends so I could bend it further.
I think it's near enough now - the front lip follows the 126 roof nicely.

[Bar Vitelli]

I’ve measured the sunroof opening (the gap in the car roof) on a standard sunroof model and the measurements are approximately 60 cm long and 75.5 cm wide. Sorry it has taken so long to come back to you, I’ve been flat out at work.

[Bar Vitelli]

[Minijohn]

That's excellent - thanks.
Neat pair of "bookends" you have there.

[Bar Vitelli]

A couple of pictures of the sunroof aperture which may help…