1965 FIAT 500 ECU

12:11 Folding top
The f ol di n g top assembly comprises the following
items:
1 Imitation leather top w i t h vinylite back window.
2 Front end frame complete with two handles and
catches. A movable bow which slides on the frame
guide rails.
3 Three stiffening bows fixed by chrome plated buttons
and tipped with rubber blocks.
4 Front mouldings for t o p mounting on frame.
5 Rear moulding on top mounting engine cooling air
intake body panel.
6 Retaining strap for the roller stop.
The removal of the folding top is straightforward but
care should be taken on reassembly to the vehicle and the
following points should be noted:
1 The t o p rear moulding is secured by ten screws
consisting of six self-tapping screws and four standard
screws which are located as follows:
(a) One long self-tapping screw at each end.
(b) Two standard screws at centre.
(c) Two standard screws next to the long screws.
(d) Four self-tapping screws, two on each side
between the standard screws.
These screws also secure the upper end of the engine
air intake panel to body.
2 Having fixed the rear moulding spread the top across
t h e o p e n i n g . Ensure t h e pivoting bow is located
between the second and third stiffening bows. Using
special screws fix the frame rails to the upper inner
ends of the body side panels.
12:12 Sunroof
The 'new 500' sunroof model differs from the con-
vertible model in the arrangement of the top. The sunroof
comprises a rear metal panel and a front imitation leather
covering which acts as a collapsible top.
The weather strip surrounded back window is
located
on t h e rear metal panel and the following items are
cemented in place; plastic lining, foam rubber strip at
upper front end, and two rubber welts located on the
sides to prevent water ingress.
FIG 12:14 Folded top retaining strap
F500
133 FOLDED TOP STRAP
FOLDED TOP
FIG 12:15 Arrangement of rolled top. This should be
done carefully to prevent damaging the vinylite back
window. Roll must never obstruct engine air intake slots
FOLDING TOP LOCKING HANDLES
FIG 12:16 Sun Roof top in locked position
The rear metal panel is secured to the body shell by
means of four screws, four plain washers and four spring
washers and at the rear by means of nine self-tapping
screws which provide a mounting for the engine air
intake grill and gutter.
The collapsible top comprises the following items:
1 Imitation leather lining.
2 Metal frame with a front crossmember onto which the
control handles and top front latch strikers are fitted.
A movable bow riveted to the top lining and fitted with
rubber pads which rest on t h e t o p of t h e body.
3 Front moulding for the top lining mounting onto the
framing crossmember. FOLDED TOP STRAP

BOW
FIG 12:17 Sun Roof top in unlatched position
FIG 12:18 Diagrammatic view of car heating system
Key to Fig 12 :18 1 Thermostat controlling shutter 2 Shutter, engine cooling air outlet 3 Lever, heater hand control
4 Warm air outlet slots 5 Demister valve control knobs 6 Windshield demister diffusers
NOTE—The car may be also equipped, optionally, with a heating booster as shown in FIG 12:19
134
4 Rear moulding for the top lining mounting onto the
rear metal panel.
5 Top lining retaining strap which is secured to the front
end of t h e rear metal panel using a bridge bracket.
6 Bracket for strap which hooks up the top lining when
in the folded position.
Dismantling and reassembly is a straightforward
operation providing that careful note is made of the
location of all screws that are removed. To reassemble
it is suggested that the rear metal panel is mounted on
the body shell first. The collapsible top assembly is then
positioned and secured to the rear metal panel using eight
rivets. The top covering should be stretched to the closed
position and secured to both framing side arms to t h e
body shell wells using the special screws. 500F and L
models are similar, but with a single central sun roof latch:
t h e rear metal panel is no longer removable.
12:13 Seats
Front seats:
The front bucket seats comprise a one-piece tubular
frame covered with imitation leather or cloth padded

cushion and back rest. A number of rubber straps are
hooked across the frame under the cushion and in a
sheath covering on the seat back.
The bottom of the front seat frame ends are provided
with sliding guides which run in guide rails attached to
the floor. The sliding guides are pivoted on the frame
tubes to allow for forward tilting of the seats giving better
access to the rear compartment. Two rubber pads
provide cushioning of the seat frame on the guide rails
as shown in FIG 12:11. The control lever for seat
adjustment is fitted in the frame righthand tube to permit
unlocking of the seats so that they may be adjusted to
individual drivers requirements.
Rear seats (Sedan):
The rear seat comprises of a foam rubber cushion and
back. The seat back is cemented to the rear floor and
body shell bulkhead. The rear seat lining is of fabric and
imitation leather. The seat lining is held in place by four
self-tapping screws, t w o of which secure the floor below
the back window and two the lining at the base of t h e
back rest. Included with the seat assembly is a masonite
floor which is fitted below the rear window.
Rear Seat (Station Wagon):
The rear seat back rest is pivoted at the base of its
frame so that it can be folded down to form a load plat-
form surface. In the upright position it is retained in place
by t w o brackets mounted on either side of the body below
the side
windows.
12:14 Interior heater
Description:
Interior heating is accomplished by recirculation of
warm air from the engine cooling system through engine
cowling. Referring to FIG 12:18 a hose conveys warmed
air from the engine cowling to the centre tunnel floor
where warm air flows out through two slots being cut on
the windshield delivery hoses. Air admission can be
adjusted by turning the control lever to the right which
operates the tunnel throttle valve at the rear seat.
The heating system may be fitted with a booster which
comprises a casing on the front exhaust pipe being
connected to the engine cowling and the warmed air
passage tunnel. Warm air flowing to the car interior is
heated to higher temperature than that from the standard
version of heater (see FIG 12:19).
Windshield demisting:
As will be seen from FIG 12:18, t w o air hoses w i t h
throttle valves for airflow control are relayed from a casing
F500135
FIG 12:19 Diagram of booster
Key to Fig 12:19 1 Thermostat controlling shutter
2 Car interior heater booster 3 Hand control unit
in front of the centre of the floor tunnel. Flexible hoses
are connected to two air diffusers which are located on
the instrument panel and parallel to the windshield glass.
When the throttle valves 5 (see FIG 12:18) are operated
through the two control knobs, warmed air is directed
onto the windshield glass so preventing misting, frosting
or icing in adverse weather conditions.
Inspection:
Ensure that t h e lever, the lever spring and butterfly
valve hinge are not distorted. Check that the ducting to
the tunnel as well as the upper and lower hoses are air-
tight which if not, should be renewed.