Modify a Fiat 500 sunroof to fit a 126

[Minijohn]

Bar Vitelli
That's great, thanks for the replies and photos.
Here's a few photos of where I'm up to making roof strengthening from 20mmx20mm box section.

John

[Bar Vitelli]

More pictures which hopefully help…

[Bar Vitelli]

[Minijohn]

That’s excellent , you’ve also answered another query regarding the catch - thanks.
I’ve almost finished the roof strengthener/sunroof frame which will be welded in once I’ve worked out the front frame hinge fixings
The lip will be 10mm tall.

This actually far more work than I expected. A few years ago I had a Citroen CX with a rusty sunroof. I grafted on to it a big section of roof ( with sunroof) off a Land Rover Discovery - that was much easier!

[Minijohn]

I’ve now welded in the roof frame/strengthener and sorted the catch, which closes with a nice ‘spring’ action.
The hinged frame didn’t line up too well with the front of the roof - so I’ve cut a notch in the side arms and bent them to improve the fit. I’ll weld those up after I’ve tried the roof with the fabric fitted.

[Bar Vitelli]

Stunning work, John, I’m looking forward to seeing this done!

[andyzeetec]

Great job 

[Minijohn]

I put the fabric on the frame yesterday and drilled through the roof for the rear fixings.
As seen an an Axel Gerstl video, the fabric needs to be stretched for a good fit.
I set it up so the roof was very tight and would only just close. That pulled out any "bagginess" which I had in the front corners.

After leaving it closed overnight, it now opens/closes much easier & the fabric is smooth.
(The rear corners are not yet fixed as this was just a trial fit)




Once I have the sunroof finished, I'll start on the headlining !!

[Minijohn]

Later today......just about finished.
I'm not sure how watertight it will be but the car probably won't be used in the rain anyway!!

[Bar Vitelli]

That looks brilliant, John, don’t worry about the rain, I’m sure it will do the job, it’s the sun yiu need to think about, we need some so you can enjoy it! Stunning job, well done!

[Minijohn]

LOL - thanks for that, I’ll put some photos up of the headlining when I get round to it.
Of course the paint needs sorting but there’s a full respray coming up.