Just got a 126 Bis!!

[Lioux]

Hello All
Having a mid life crisis and wanted to get a fun car as been bored of all the modern stuff and in a rash moment bid on a 1990 126 Bis on Ebay without seeing it first - and won it!!    Non runner no MOT etc, had to have it trailored to get here, sadly seems one of the back light covers fell off on the M5 somewhere during the journey but.... I love it!
My 17 year old is not impressed at the thought of being seen driving around in it but my 13 year old has made be go to the scrap yard and get a battery and today we got it running - well sort of, at least the engine isn't seized. 
Wanted to say Hi to everyone on the forum as I fear we are going to need a lot of support and parts!  So if anyone can offer any advice all is appreciated, here is my initial shopping list...
Fiat 126 Bis workshop manual!
Headlights - we have them but they are about to fall out, look Ok but now sure if we are missing a surround or something..
Drivers side rear light cover
Passenger side wing mirror
Bit that fits on top of the carb and goes to air filter bit???
Plastic side trim at bottom of doors is hanging off, should I remove it or fix it??

Loads more questions....am a bit worried that I have been a fool but it will be an experience finding out - I hope 
Thanks
Louise

[Hazey-n-Marc]

Welcome fellow nutter
I'm sure it will be fine.
The headlights do look like they are hanging out a bit as standard, if they don't wobble, don't worry.
Headlights and airfilter boxes/ducting are very hard to find, I have borrowed a headlight from another member (must get that back, Sorry Stuey!!), and I am running with no airfilter.
There is no Haynes manual for the BIS, but if you subscribe, you get access to online fiat workshop manuals.
The plastic trim has many annoying holes behind it.
Best of luck
Marc

[Lioux]

Hi - thanks for the reply, I am quite impressed that we got it running so easily but having said that driving it will be another issue!  I will have a look at the online manuals which I am sure will be very helpful.... 
Will post my progress.....

[Hazey-n-Marc]

Make sure you get a clear inline fuel filter fitted before the pump, they tend to rust quite bad in the tank, best, to find this out early. replacement tanks are cheap. Other than that, drain and replace all fluids and poke the rest with a stick to see if any welding is needed.

[Hazey-n-Marc]

The BIS really suffers if the cooling system is not up to scratch, I would also replace the thermostat, and clean the water pump impeller.

[Lioux]

Thanks for all the advice - I hope to have a big tinkering session this weekend, definitely need to drain all the fluids and replace as it has been standing for so long - probably should have done that before we tried to start it Only ran it for about a minute so hopefully nothing serious has occurred.....

Is it possible to get new door cards or should we just try to recover the ones we have??
Thanks

[bis13]

firstly are the headlights in good condition? if they are not rusted in the insides then that's a good thing for starters, now look carefully at the headlights with the bonnet open with someone holding the headlight before you open the bonnet the reason i say it in such a manner is because the headlights are getting rare so try avoid breaking them! it might be possible that the plastic clips that hold them in are either broken or the y are not pushed in properly either way its an easy fix you can buy new clips or gently apply pressure until they click into place. the rest is seeking the parts that are missing. the good thing is you have landed in the right place and rest assured there's many a mid life crisis on this site, good luck, and have fun!   

[Hazey-n-Marc]

I'm having my early, just thought I'd get it over and with.

[Lioux]

Hi - the Headlights seem OK it does just look like the clips that have gone so hopefully I can replace these.  The windscreen wipers and hazard lights work! 
I will see what we find tomorrow when we have more time on it....
Ta

[Amateb8]

Hello and welcome to Forum. i saw that Bis on ebay. It looked good - definitely worth saving. I was tempted to bid but I already have three! Congratulations on your purchase!!

[Lioux]

Thanks - as suspected it is not quite a good as it looked in the pics but definitely worth doing some work on.  I expect it won't be long before we end up with 3!!

[Lloyd74]

Bought mine for £265 spares and repairs 2 yrs ago without seeing it, didnt run and had no brakes, these cars are so basic and most parts are available and stunningly cheap ive got about £400 sunk into my car including purchase cost and have used it daily for 2yrs. As a means of conveyance from a to b it fulfills the design brief and costs peanuts to run.
Go round the car and be thorough and watch out for the usuals and you'll soon have a reliable quirky car.
All the best Lloyd

[Amateb8]

On the door trims, it is held in place by clips but it is held in place by a screw. The screw probably needs tightening or has fallen off inside the door.