Tonneau Cover Offered on 124 Spiders?

mxw1 · Post by **mxw1** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 4:26 pm

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I recently posted a want add on this forum looking for a tonneau cover for my 1975 Fiat Spider. I've had a couple of people tell me I could have one custom made. Was a tonneau cover ever offered as an option?

I didn't buy my car new, although I've had my car almost 20 years, it has the little snap buttons all the way around the perimeter of the car, even across the dash. It's hard to believe the factory installed the snap buttons, but didn't offer the tonneau cover.

Thanks,
Mike

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:00 pm

they were available aftermarket for most convertables. including the spider. i have one brand new in the box. got it on ebay 3 years ago. one day when i reinstall the top onto my car, i will install the cover.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:52 pm

My 70 model has the snaps around the opening too. I was wondering the same thing about it being an option or not.

Jim DeShon · Post by **Jim DeShon** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 7:08 pm

I worked as a new car prep. man for two of the west coast Fiat dealers [Harry Hill's and Dick Miller's] in the 70's. The snaps had to be added. They did not come that way from the factory. Options like tonneau covers, luggage racks, custom wheels etc. were sometimes offered by the dealer but were not a factory item. They were supplied by an outside vendor. The prep. man was paid flat rate time to install them. ...J.D.

Gerard Del Monte · Post by **Gerard Del Monte** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:46 pm

Snaps are so... English, and kind of wonky on the Spider. I have always been in favor of a tonneau with elastic fasteners that would fit over the rear boot hooks, and hook into the dash defroster vents. The front of the tonneau would have a plastic or alloy insert shaped to the inside curve of the dash. Possibly side tabs that would slide down the door window channels. No snaps involved. However, unlike zippered Brit tonneaus, my concept couldn't be used whilst driving- simply for sun protection and possibly light rain protection.

Gerard Del Monte · Post by **Gerard Del Monte** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:46 pm

Snaps are so... English, and kind of wonky on the Spider. I have always been in favor of a tonneau with elastic fasteners that would fit over the rear boot hooks, and hook into the dash defroster vents. The front of the tonneau would have a plastic or alloy insert shaped to the inside curve of the dash. Possibly side tabs that would slide down the door window channels. No snaps involved. However, unlike zippered Brit tonneaus, my concept couldn't be used whilst driving- simply for sun protection and possibly light rain protection.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:47 pm

I guess the snaps come off when I restore the 70 then.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 9:29 pm

why not velcro? they even use it for truck bed tonneaus these days

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 8:39 pm

it looks ugly while not being used. lasted for years on my old ranger, worked great