Fiat 500 bucket seat guide
Type 312, 2007 onwards
The Fiat 500 was designed to feel compact, echoing the proportions of the original 1957 car. In practice that means a cabin narrow across the shoulders that sits the driver higher than the footprint of the car would suggest. A bucket seat addresses both at once: it brings you down and it holds you in place through corners. On most cars you are buying one of those things. On the 500 you get both in a single change.
Width is the thing to check before anything ships. Most competition shells are wider than the 500’s cockpit comfortably takes, which is why the seats in this guide are ones that have been fitted in customer cars rather than a theoretical list of everything with FIA approval. Measure between the tunnel and the sill before ordering a shell you are not certain about.
This guide covers the standard Fiat 500 and the Abarth variants (595 and 695). The floor and seat mounting points are the same across all of them, so the brackets and most of the products listed here apply to all models.
- Base mount and side mount options are both available. Base mount lowers the seating position further; side mount suits competition shells with side tabs only
- The Sparco direct-fit sub-frames (14805, or 192219 for a pair) bring the floor up to the 345mm x 271mm bolt pattern used by Sparco, OMP and Corbeau base-mount seats
- Planted Technology SB099 (138521) is the Planted base-mount bracket for the 500 and Abarth from 2009. Talk to us before ordering to confirm the seat combination
- The OMP fitting frame (212515) covers both the 345mm x 271mm and 405mm x 290mm bolt patterns, which means it works with Sparco, OMP, Corbeau and Recaro base-mount seats from a single bracket
- Width is the constraint on seat choice in this cabin. Most competition shells measure this car tight. The seats listed have been fitted in customer cars
- The Corbeau Sportsman is not listed here. It is for genuine classic and vintage cars only. The Corbeau PSR is the right Corbeau recliner for the 500
Mounting
Two routes cover the Fiat 500. Base mount drops the seat lower and works with the broader range of sport seats. Side mount is the route for competition shells that only have side tabs, and uses the Sparco FIA steel brackets.
For base mount, the Sparco direct-fit sub-frames (14805 for a single seat, 192219 for a pair) are the straightforward choice. They bolt to the original floor mounting points and bring the bolt pattern up to 345mm x 271mm, which is the standard used by base-mount seats from Sparco, OMP and Corbeau. At £94.50 each, ordering a pair via 192219 at £183 saves a few pounds over buying two singles. Note that these are sold individually by default: the single listing covers one side.
The OMP direct-fit sub-frames (212515) are listed for the Fiat Abarth 500 but cover the same floor mounting points as the standard 500. The OMP frame supports both the 345mm x 271mm Sparco pattern and the larger 405mm x 290mm OMP pattern, so one frame covers seats from Sparco, OMP, Corbeau and Recaro. If you are pairing an OMP seat with an OMP sub-frame and want everything from one brand, this is the one to choose.
The Planted Technology SB099 (138521) is the Planted bracket for the 500, covering the 2009 onwards car. Planted design their brackets to work with a wide range of seats. Talk to us before ordering so we can confirm the seat and installation combination suits the car.
Recaro seats use their own mounting geometry, so if you are fitting a Recaro recliner the matching frame is the Recaro Fiat 500 direct-fit sub-frames (19490).
For the side mount route, the Sparco FIA steel brackets (13876) mount the seat at the sides in the standard competition position. Add the Sparco sliding runner kit (14036) if you need fore-aft adjustment. The runner kit is sold per seat, so order two if you are fitting both sides.
Planted bracket: talk to us before orderingThe Planted SB099 covers a range of seat combinations, and the right installation depends on both the seat and the car. Contact us with the seat you have in mind and we will confirm the bracket is correct before anything ships.
-
From £113.40 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £222.60 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £127.64 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Competition bucket seats
The seats below are FIA 8855-1999 competition shells, except the Auto Style K5 and Cobra Nogaro which carry Road and Track approval. Width is worth checking on every one of them before ordering. The Recaro Pole Position at the top end of the range is side-mount only; the others are dual-mount or base-mount, so they will work with either the Sparco sub-frames or the Sparco steel brackets depending on your setup.
The Auto Style K5 is base-mount only and not FIA-rated. It suits a car used on track days rather than competition, and at £175 it is the most accessible seat in this section. It works with the Sparco or OMP base-mount sub-frames.
The OMP TRS-E and the Sparco Sprint and Sprint Sky are all dual-mount FIA shells at the mid-range price point. The Sparco Sprint Sky adds a carbon look outer shell over the fibreglass core. The Cobra Monaco Pro is the steel-shelled option at the same sort of price, with intrusion resistance that composite shells at this price do not offer.
The Cobra Monaco 40th Edition is sold as a pair with White Stitch graphics and FIA 8855-1999 approval. The Cobra Nogaro Club Sport is the entry point to Cobra’s fibreglass range, at 910mm tall and 560mm wide, side-mount only. At that width check it against the 500’s cockpit before ordering. The Recaro Pole Position is the highest-specification option here, side-mount only, and at 866 pounds it suits a car that is being properly built rather than lightly modified.
-
From £210.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £239.40 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £252.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £282.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £474.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £629.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £1,039.50 Incl. VATPayPal CreditTop 10 productKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
💬
Competition seats for the 500Which bucket seat for a Fiat 500
For a track day car that still does road miles, the OMP TRS-E Velour at £199.50 is the practical starting point: FIA-rated, dual-mount, and narrow enough for the cockpit. The Sparco Sprint at £210 is the same bracket of seat. If the car is more seriously built, the Cobra Monaco Pro at £235 is the steel-shelled option, which is worth the extra if the car is likely to see contact. For a pure track car where width clears the cockpit check, the Cobra Nogaro and the Recaro Pole Position are the premium end of the range. Talk to us with the seat width and your cockpit measurement before ordering any shell that is not confirmed in customer cars on this car. Cameron works through the seat, the frame and the car together to get the combination right before anything is ordered.
Reclining sport seats
Reclining sport seats are base-mount on the 500. The Sparco and OMP sub-frames (14805 or 212515) cover the Sparco, OMP, Corbeau and Recaro seats here. The Recaro sub-frame (19490) is the right choice if you are pairing a Recaro recliner with the Recaro fitting frame.
The Sparco R100 at £235 is the starting point: base mount, 5-point harness slots, good lateral support for a recliner. The Sparco R500 adds a slightly upgraded trim at £274. The Sparco R100 Martini Racing Edition is the same seat with Martini stripe graphics at £291.
The Corbeau PSR is sold as a pair at £465, which makes it competitive against single-seat options when you are fitting both sides. The Corbeau Sportline range runs from the RRB at £770 to the RRS at £830. All three Corbeau recliner options are base mount and fit on the Sparco sub-frames.
The Cobra Daytona at £499.17 is the Cobra reclining sport seat in this range: base mount, road and track approved, with a fibreglass shell and lateral bolsters suited to fast road and light track use.
-
From £282.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £599.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
💬
Reclining seats for the 500Which recliner for a Fiat 500
The Sparco R100 at £235 is the realistic starting point for a 500 that is mostly a road car. It works on the standard Sparco sub-frames and gives noticeably better support than the factory seat without turning the car into something uncomfortable on a commute. The Corbeau PSR pair at £465 is worth considering if you are fitting both sides: it works out well on price per seat and gives a consistent look. For a car that sees proper track days and needs good seat support through sustained driving, the Corbeau Sportline RRB at £770 for a pair is a step up from the PSR in lateral bolstering without being a competition shell. The Cobra Daytona is the Cobra option if you want a fibreglass recliner with road and track approval.
Roll cages
Bolt-in cages are available for the Fiat 500 from SW Motorsports, OMP, Sparco and Custom Cages. All are bolt-in options unless noted, and all require a harness to be mounted to the cage for a harness to be used safely.
The SW Motorsports half roll cage at £480.83 is the most accessible option: it covers the driver’s head and provides the harness mounting points without the weight and cabin intrusion of a full cage. The SW Motorsport full bolt-in MSUK cage at £1120 is the full competition version, meeting MSUK regulations for circuit competition.
The OMP Fiat 500 bolt-in roll cage (18793) at £1105.84 is a full cage. The OMP Fiat 500 Abarth 595/695 cage (18788) at £625.92 is listed specifically for the Abarth; it is included here as the body is shared with the standard 500, but confirm fitment for a non-Abarth car before ordering.
The Sparco Fiat 500 6-point bolt-in cage (19338) is at £817.95. Custom Cages offer two options for the second-generation 500: a rear half bolt-in cage in T45 tube at £1010, and a multipoint T45 weld-in cage at £1545 for serious motorsport builds where weight and stiffness are the priority. The Custom Cages products carry FIA approval and are built in the UK.
-
From £577.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditMade to orderKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Harnesses
Harnesses need a roll cage or harness barA 4-point, 5-point or 6-point harness needs proper attachment points behind and above the seat for the shoulder straps. The standard 500 does not have factory harness mounting points. Fit a roll cage or a properly engineered harness bar before using anything above a 3-point belt.
The 3-point TRS Clubman bolt-in at £80 is the entry point and mounts to the standard seat belt anchorage points. The 4-point Clubman clip-in at £100 adds a sub-strap and clips to the standard buckle. Both are suitable for road use and light track days without a cage installation. For 4-point competition use, the TRS Magnum 4-point FIA at £205 and the Takata Drift II at £229 are the step up.
For 6-point harnesses, you need the cage first. The TRS Magnum 6-point Superlite FIA at £245, the TRS New Pro Ultralite 6-point FIA at £295 (HANS compatible), the Takata Drift III snap-on at £270, and the Schroth Profi 3×2 at £370 are all here for cars that are properly caged and going to competition or serious track days.
-
From £96.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £120.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £246.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £274.80 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £294.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £324.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £354.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £444.01 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
What fits
Mounting route and approval for every seat in this guide.
| Seat | Mounting | Approval | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition bucket seats | |||
| Auto Style Type K5 | Base mount | Road and Track | Base mount only. Works with Sparco or OMP sub-frames. |
| OMP TRS-E Velour FIA | Base mount and side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Dual mount. Wide choice of frames. |
| Sparco Sprint FIA | Base mount and side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Dual mount. |
| Sparco Sprint Sky FIA | Base mount and side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Dual mount. Carbon look outer shell. |
| Cobra Monaco Pro FIA | Base mount and side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Steel shell. Dual mount. |
| Cobra Monaco 40th Edition | Base mount and side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Sold as a pair with White Stitch graphics. |
| Cobra Nogaro Club Sport | Side mount | Road and Track | Side mount only. Check width against cockpit. |
| Recaro Pole Position ABE | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Side mount only. Recaro sub-frames for base mount not available for this seat. |
| Reclining sport seats | |||
| Sparco R100 | Base mount | Road and Track | Sparco or OMP sub-frames. |
| Sparco R500 | Base mount | Road and Track | Sparco or OMP sub-frames. |
| Sparco R100 Martini Racing | Base mount | Road and Track | Same seat as R100, Martini graphics. |
| Corbeau PSR (pair) | Base mount | Road and Track | Sold as a pair. Sparco or OMP sub-frames. |
| Cobra Daytona | Base mount | Road and Track | Fibreglass recliner. |
| Corbeau Sportline RRB (pair) | Base mount | Road and Track | Sold as a pair. |
| Corbeau Sportline RRS (pair) | Base mount | Road and Track | Sold as a pair. |
| Corbeau SVR Vinyl (pair) | Base mount | Road and Track | Sold as a pair. |
Common questions
Which bracket fits the Fiat 500?
Several options are available. For a base-mount setup, the Sparco direct-fit sub-frames (14805 for a single, 192219 for a pair) are the most used. They work with Sparco, OMP and Corbeau base-mount seats. The OMP direct-fit sub-frames (212515) add Recaro compatibility on top of that. The Planted SB099 (138521) is the Planted bracket for the 2009 onwards car. For a side-mount setup using competition shells with side tabs, the Sparco FIA steel brackets (13876) plus the runner kit (14036) handle that route.
Does the Fiat 500 and the Abarth use the same brackets?
The standard 500 and the Abarth 595/695 share the same floor and seat mounting points, so the brackets listed here cover both. Some sub-frames are labelled specifically for the Abarth in the product name. The mounting points are the same; confirm before ordering if you want to be certain.
Why is width such an issue on the Fiat 500?
The 500 was designed to feel compact, and the cabin is genuinely narrow across the shoulders. Most competition shells are built to a width that suits larger cars. Measure between the tunnel and the door sill where the seat will sit. Contact us with that measurement and we will tell you whether the seat you have in mind will clear before anything is ordered.
What is the difference between base mount and side mount?
Base mount means the seat bolts to a sub-frame that sits flat on the car’s floor. The seat attaches through holes in its base. Side mount means the seat attaches through two brackets on either side. Most competition shells are side-mount only. Many reclining sport seats are base mount only. Some seats, including the OMP TRS-E and Cobra Monaco Pro, are dual-mount and work with either route.
Do I need a sub-frame and a runner separately?
The Sparco direct-fit sub-frames (14805/192219) provide the base mount platform. A separate sliding runner kit (14036) is needed if you want fore-aft adjustment. The sub-frames alone fix the seat in position. Add the runner if the driver needs to move the seat forward or back.
Can I use a harness without a roll cage?
A 3-point bolt-in harness mounts to the standard seat belt points and does not need a cage. A 4-point harness with a sub-strap that uses the standard buckle also works without a cage. For anything with separate shoulder straps (a proper 4-point race harness, 5-point or 6-point), you need proper harness attachment points above and behind the seat. The standard 500 does not have these. A roll cage or a properly engineered harness bar provides them.
Is there a roll cage available for the Fiat 500?
Several bolt-in options are available. The SW Motorsports half cage at £480.83 is the most accessible and provides harness mounting points. The full MSUK-specification SW cage at £1120 meets competition regulations. OMP and Sparco both list full bolt-in cages, and Custom Cages have a rear half bolt-in in T45 tube at £1010 and a multipoint T45 weld-in for serious builds. All are listed in the roll cage section above.
Will the seats listed here all fit the Fiat 500?
All the seats listed have been fitted in customer 500s or are confirmed fits via the mounting compatibility. Width is the risk. If you are considering a shell not on this list, contact us with the seat width and your cockpit measurement and we will go through it with you before anything is ordered.
More help
For anything that needs working through before ordering, a seat and frame combination that is not obvious from the product pages, or a cage build that needs planning before any parts are chosen, contact us with the details of the car and what you are trying to achieve. Cameron works through the seat, frame and car combination so that what ships is confirmed to fit before it leaves us.
Need a personal recommendation?
We're here to ensure you pick the right seat.
Contact us today.