Removable body parts?

Keeping it sharp - paint, wax, detailing, etc.
architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Removable body parts?

Postby architect » Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:33 am

Will someone explain if there is any “easily” removable / replacement body parts on the 124?

I’m in the process of prepping for paint. I would like to limit how many prep time by replacing panels. (So far new hood and cowl) desperately looking for a like new trunk lid.

I see the rear quarter panel extensions are bolt on? Is this a correct assumption?

hhttps://www.midwest-bayless.com/p-2282 ... e-nos.aspx

What about rockers? Or any of the front sheet metal? I don’t have easy access to a welder and want to advoid that route.

Cheers
78 Fiat 124

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engineerted
Posts: 531
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:57 pm
Your car is a: 1974 124 spider
Location: Farmington Hills, MI

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby engineerted » Wed Mar 28, 2018 11:46 am

Yes, lower rear 1/4' and rockers are removable. If you plan to replace these with new, be prepared to test fit and adjust. Replacement panels are not what i call ready to assemble. The worst is the rocker panel, I returned the steel ones for the plastic. The steel replacement was just terrible!! This was 10 years ago, so maybe thinks may have changed or not?
Ted
1978 124 Spider, Complete Restoration
1974 Fiat 124 F Production Race car

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby architect » Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:57 pm

engineerted wrote:Yes, lower rear 1/4' and rockers are removable. If you plan to replace these with new, be prepared to test fit and adjust. Replacement panels are not what i call ready to assemble. The worst is the rocker panel, I returned the steel ones for the plastic. The steel replacement was just terrible!! This was 10 years ago, so maybe thinks may have changed or not?


When you mention “the worst is the rocker panel” are you implying the rocker panel under the door is replaceable without welding.. or still talking about the lower rear 1/4?
78 Fiat 124

daved
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:36 pm
Your car is a: 1969 fiat 124 spider
Location: Erie Pa

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby daved » Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:31 am

Replaced the rocker panels on my 1969 quite a few years ago, no welding required. Existing panels were mounted mostly with sheet metal screws. Top screws are hidden under trim. Think at the far front & back of the rocker panel there was a stud tack welded to the inside. Did require a lot of trial & error to get them to fit right.

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Odoyle
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:06 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pinafarina Spider
Location: CA

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby Odoyle » Fri Mar 30, 2018 2:20 pm

When I stripped my 77, it looks like my rockers had been brazed into place in a couple spots, presumably to make them fit better. Not sure if they all came like that, but could be an option.

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby architect » Fri Mar 30, 2018 5:47 pm

Well I just got back in town. Looks like the rear panels def come off. Wish I would of knew that when installing my fuel tank / hose elbow.

The rockers have screws on the underside of the body.. a tab with but in the rear fender wells.

Didn’t get a chance to pull the door threshold plates to see what’s under there.

Looks like there undercoating might make it difficult to pull. Then again I have a huge dent in my rocker and don’t want to tackle it ha
78 Fiat 124

gjones1967
Posts: 66
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:32 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider
Location: Spring, Texas (Houston area)

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby gjones1967 » Fri Mar 30, 2018 8:18 pm

I just took my rocker plates off to repair, they only take a few minutes (on a 79 at least) I also just bought new rear panels and they are a couple of screws. I wanted to swop the fenders but was advised against as they have many spot welds.
Graeme Jones.


1978 Fiat Spider
1979 Fiat Spider
1986 Porsche 944
1976 MGB
2009 Honda Accord
2016 Toyota Tundra.

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby architect » Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:49 am

gjones1967 wrote:I just took my rocker plates off to repair, they only take a few minutes (on a 79 at least) I also just bought new rear panels and they are a couple of screws. I wanted to swop the fenders but was advised against as they have many spot welds.


Perfect! Just made the same order you did.

I wanted to swap fenders too, but read it’s way too much work. My two biggest dents - one on the fender (looks like a garage door slammed on it) and the rocker panel.

Door skins are even harder.

Now if I can only find a NEW trunk lol.
Last edited by architect on Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:55 am, edited 2 times in total.
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby architect » Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:51 am

Some pics for clicks!

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
78 Fiat 124

gjones1967
Posts: 66
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:32 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider
Location: Spring, Texas (Houston area)

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby gjones1967 » Sat Mar 31, 2018 10:04 am

I have a spare car with perfect fenders but will cut a piece out to use as a patch. No trunk on it though! I need to strip it down and salvage what I can, it’s getting in the way.

Your red interior looks great!
Graeme Jones.


1978 Fiat Spider
1979 Fiat Spider
1986 Porsche 944
1976 MGB
2009 Honda Accord
2016 Toyota Tundra.

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby architect » Sat Mar 31, 2018 12:35 pm

What about the Rear Lower Panel? Is that a bolt on?

https://www.midwest-bayless.com/Fiat-12 ... e-nos.aspx
78 Fiat 124

gjones1967
Posts: 66
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:32 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider
Location: Spring, Texas (Houston area)

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby gjones1967 » Sat Mar 31, 2018 7:16 pm

Not sure about that, but I noticed today mine is damaged. I will check tomorrow, if it is I can swop it from the spare car. Right now my car is totally stripped. It was down to bare metal but I had to put primer on as it started to rust.
Graeme Jones.


1978 Fiat Spider
1979 Fiat Spider
1986 Porsche 944
1976 MGB
2009 Honda Accord
2016 Toyota Tundra.

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Removable body parts?

Postby architect » Sat Mar 31, 2018 8:47 pm

gjones1967 wrote:Not sure about that, but I noticed today mine is damaged. I will check tomorrow, if it is I can swop it from the spare car. Right now my car is totally stripped. It was down to bare metal but I had to put primer on as it started to rust.


Mine is damaged too. The truck that delivered the car had too steep of ramps :(
78 Fiat 124


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