Submitted By: courfmly@usa.nai.net

Date:7/17/96

Model Range, Interest:124

Addl. Information:

Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 00:06:37 -0400
From: Jason Cournoyer 
 

Our family has owned various FIAT's for almost 20 years. I have 
been restoring FIAT Spider's for about 5 years.  One thing that I have 
consistantly found in spider's is that the stock seats suck!  I would 
like to submit this tip that has helped me with this problem.

Although Thomas Bennett sent in the tip that Honda seats fit perfectally 
I have had problems locating them.  What I did discover is that any 
seats with the right (approximate) dimensions will fit with one easy 
modification.  This means that if you can get your hands on some seats 
really cheap you can use them even if the holes don't line up.

Start by taking off the rails from the replacement seats.  

Next bolt a piece on 3/4 inch plywood under the seat using the holes 
from the stock rails.  Make sure the bolts are countersunk(flush with 
the surface).  Now, using T-nuts (a common product found in all hardware 
stores that put machine threads into wood) install the FIAT rails to the 
plywood being sure to keep them the same distance apart as they were 
on the original seats.  The replacement seats will be 3/4" higher than 
stock but I have not found this to be a problem.

I have used this techinque in many restorations.  I currently use 1982 Camaro seats in my 
1980 spider (I got them for free from a wreck). The seats are very sturdy 
and look great.  

Jason Cournoyer
courfmly@nai.net

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