The Spider's "Back Seat"

[DUCeditor]

I don't know what Pininfarina had in mind when they designed the 124 Spider with its totally legroom-free back seats, but I know what my wife and I use ours for. Hint: We call it "The Kennel." Indeed it is one of things that make the Fiat Spider the only current small sports car that would work for our three-creature family.

My wife Jan was outside the car taking this snap, but household member #3, our 7 year old Samoyed, Cody, can be seen here enjoying the start of another ride...



How much does Cody enjoy riding in the Spider? That was revealed to us when I finally got the car back on the road after a four year hiatus. Cody ignored the car when a friend of mine and I towed it from our storage "barn" to a place where it could loaded onto a flatbed for a trip to AVA, the euro-car restoration shop that recently got her on the road for us again.

He pretty much ignored it again when, several weeks back, I drove the car home and parked it in front of the house.

But the first time he saw me lowering the top - a prerequisite of him fitting in "The Kennel" - all that changed. When he saw that enthusiastic barking started which did not let up until he was comfortably ensconced in his favorite seat.

At speeds up to about 50 or so (the perfect speed for the Spider IMO on the many tightly curving back roads I favor) he sits upright, eyes wide, catching the breeze (which, during shedding season, leaves behind the car a trail of white fluff). But above that speed he lies down with his snoot between the seats and with only his big fluffy tail visible, wagging heartily, out in the breeze.

And Cody's favorite post-ride destination? That's simple! Ava Maria Chocolate in Peterborough NH, home of the Doggie Ice Cream Sundae. And his favorite flavor? The one that's as white as he is of course. "Make that a small vanilla please!"

-don

[baltobernie]

Hard to tell who's having more fun in that photo

[Tobi]

What did Porsche have in mind when they designed the 911 back seats?
In Germany (maybe also in Italy) is a car with only two seats considered a sports car.
Sports cars are more expensive to ensure so the two pseudo seats saved money.
Our little (8 pound dog) loves the open windows but she does not care for the open top too much and she prefers the lap over the kennel. Your dog seems a little more robust.

[DUCeditor]

Our little (8 pound dog) loves the open windows but she does not care for the open top too much and she prefers the lap over the kennel. Your dog seems a little more robust.

By a factor of 10. Cody presently weighs in at 84 lbs! No fear of wind shear lifting him up and out of the seat.

But we do keep him tethered for fear of him jumping out at the sight of some sweet, wide-eyed, pom-pom adorned poodle.

"His father's son?" Hey! Who said that?

-d

[MNspiderman]

Maybe they were just trying to be trendy like everyone else and accommodating the double amputee/handicap crowd With a roll bar back there, they got the best seat in the house.

[narfire]

Great that dogs love the top down ride. Even greater when they use the door to get out
These are now kinda trained to be patient and wait their turn,not so much my wife though.

[MNspiderman]

Wow, what a perfect fit for the dogs, betchya they love it. All pinched in there with no place to slide. Doggies hate leather and vinyl with plastic center consoles. I know this because My dog told me himself

[markpink]

Our little dog Lily does not like the back seat, so we let her drive. Her she is with my daughter out on the town.


Mark

[htchevyii]

Crappy cell pic, but here's our 75lb puppy, ready for a ride.

[DUCeditor]

Well I think we know what Carozzeria Pininfarina had in mind. Battista and Andrea must have been dog lovers! (But then why no tie downs or water bowl?)

Great pix all! Keep them coming!

-don

[DUCeditor]

BTW, my wife and I have created a 'take Cody in the Car' kit. It is made up an zippered, insulated, lunch box that is kept packed with a small weighted water bowel, a zip lock bag to hold treats, and one of those doggie clean-up kits with disposable plastic bags. The lunch box is just big enough to hold the above with a bottle of water.

Want to go for a drive? Grab the above kit, a leash, and call out either "Spider Ride!" or "Vanilla." That's all it takes. Cody comes a runnin'!

-don

[SLOSpider]

I had 3 adults and a teenager cruising around in mine just a few weekends ago. It is useable with the seats moved forward just a bit more cramped when shifting...

[124cso]

Obviously none of you have read either a parts book or workshop manual. In all documents, it is refered to as "the parcel shelf". I don't know of many places where they let you carry passengers without belts in a car of that age ?
I presume it was just made to look like a seat for asthetic reasons ?
In the last few years of production, it was changed to a much plainer shelf.

[Redline]

It was sold and licensed as a four-seater in Europe well into the 70s. The joke (considering the dimensions and certain design aspects of the center console) was that the back seat was for legless, cigar-smoking infants. Nevertheless, we had an adult back there many times, with the top up.

[Fiat88]

I fit back there when my father drives my car so my mom can tag along! We ain't heavy set people, though.