1984 Fiat 126 "Brown" in blue...white now:)

[paul555]

Hi. When I join to the club I may aswell start a resto topic of my car.
So:
 Here is my A-reg 1984 Fiat 126 Brown I got couple months back. When I go to pick it up it doesn't look promising i.e rotten bottom of doors, rusty window frames, flat tyres, ripped drivers seat and headlining hanging of, steering wheel lock key was lost. Took it to my garage pump wheels up, charge battery, change coil pack, put some fresh fuel and .........start up first time [-/
 Then I jack it up and look underneath.......everything waxyoiled, inner arches, crossmembers, floor has rust spot around drainplug. Also checked suspension-just slight play on o/s/f kingpin and wheelbearing. Brakes- drums, shoes seems new. Was very happy with that
These pic was taken when I pick it up



Now....jobs to do:
brakelight switch-DONE
n/s/f headlight rusty inside- DONE (bought LHD and swap glass over)
exhaust......invisible- DONE (fitted with Breda-Polish rally exhaust mostly used in rallysross, loud as f**k)
windscreen and back window bottom frames rusty- in progress (pics soon)
o/s rear 1/4 panel bottom bit rusty
o/s sill bit rusty on middle
floor drain plug
new doors (already got pair, but sadly not much better condition than my current ones. Trying to source some new ones)
new rear bumper
interior- recover seats, make new doorcards and headlining, new carpet
full respray- in its original colour 224 Bianco White
Little improvements to do:
lowered front and rear
alloys- already got set but no tyres yet and need refurb
front cinq brake disc conversion- need mounting plates
few nice details inside
engine- all brand new on ported and polished head, sport cam, lightened and balanced

The plans will propably change so i keep you updated with progress [-/

[Rusty's Uncle]

Looks like a good sound project so good luck with it  [-/
If you are fitting 13" wheels I still have a couple of disc brake adaptor plates left from the batch I had made up .

[paul555]

Thanks Rusty's Uncle. I'm interested in these adaptor plates. Are they for Cinquecento brake calipers?? And how much with postage??
 There are pics of my "progress"
When I started

Exhaust

After couple of hours


Hidden under rubber and windscreen

And repaired

other side

Windscreen frame finished

Been busy at work so back window frame should be finished some time this week

[Rusty's Uncle]

As the postage has only gone up a couple of pence I can still do them for £27 including recorded delivery & yes they are specifically designed for the Cinque / Seicento callipers & discs. If you search back on the forum you will find loads more info & pictures  [-/

[paul555]

Hi everyone. Finally I'm back on track with my "brown" fiat after good few months of "oh I cant be arsed" mood.
Basicaly all rot and rust spots are welded, treated, and car is in primer. Interior is allready sprayed in original bianco corfu.


also have bought another set of alloys
trial fitting



hopefully tyres will not stick out


Yesterday picked up couple of spare a/c engines, gearbox and starter motor. One of them will be a donor for my race engine no pics thou
I will need few bits to finish it but I'll put it in wanted section.

[Madd]

You said it was brown. Do you get the color back?

[dajwid]

Madd,, Brown is the model not the colour

[paul555]

As dajwid said Brown is a model. Was blue when I get it and V5 state blue but VIN check through dealer said 224 Bianco Corfu originally. So going back that way. [-/

[ciaoflyer]

Looks Sweet! 

[paul555]

Looks Sweet!  

Thanks I hope it will when it's finished.  


And just quick update.
As I had only 3/4 of my headlining and it was in 3 pieces aswell I did try to make complete one. I've cut some B&Q 3mm board to a template I've made before. I think it sholud be ok. Will trial fit it tommorow. But needs some fabric to cover it anyway. Anyone done it before? What did you use? Suggestions welcome
Will get some pics tommorow.

[ciaoflyer]

No not done it before but would like a paper copy of the template if possible because my headlining is missing!

[GTMaster]

Regarding the head lining: 3mm sounds a bit thick as it has to be flexible enough to fit in. Since your winscreen is removed you'll probably have more luck than i did in fitting it (mine broke to bits  ). 1.5-2mm board thickness would be enough i reckon. I had mine made by a textile worker who properly glued the textile material to the board (so that it can withstand the heat in summer). Since i broke mine, i kept the material part and am planning on using a 2mm thick polipropilene sheet as that is more flexible (and won't have to remove the windscreen when fitting it.)

[paul555]

Right.. the headlining pics

Started with 3/4 of original headling in pieces:

Big jigsaw:

After some drawing on the board and some cutting ended up with that:


I was happy with it but not for long..
...some trimming as it was too wide and wont fit at all.


3 times in and out and...



...but I was bending it in all directions, not joined them 2 cuts in corners properly and manage to damage both of them So another trip to B&Q for more board some time this week. Cheap enough though I think the 3mm board is OK because it feels quite solid once fitted.

Just one thing:

size of these gaps.. is it normal or need to be smaller??

No not done it before but would like a paper copy of the template if possible because my headlining is missing!

Will try to sort it for you [-/

[GTMaster]

If i remember mine correctly there wasn't a gap at the rear windscreen between the lining and the window, not sure at the front. Did you slide it in from the front (front windscreen)?

[paul555]

Finally got my little Fiat sprayed It's back in original white.


Slowly comming back together