The title of this thread, like most of what follows is taken from an Ebay listing, several years ago, for a Fiat 900e Pandora. This was/is obviously an exceptional vehicle and the marketing did not disappoint. There is actually a lot of useful information here. So I have removed most of the persuasive sales spiel and specific information about that particular vehicle and copied the remainder with a bit of minor editing; with gratitude to the unknown, original scribe
:
A very rare camper indeed from the renowned British Motor Caravan company CI Autohomes who pioneered the 'bed over cab' concept in the UK.
Based on the delightful little Fiat 900E "Citivan" and converted when new, only a few hundred were ever made.
Marketed when new By CI as a "Motorised Magic Box" being not much bigger on the outside than the average small car yet with so much practical and useable room inside.
Extremely well equipped with a rigid double skinned insulated roof that not only elevates up but extends over both sides to give an extra 76% space with 'upstairs' sleeping.
Hob, grill, sink, 8 gallon water tank, mains hook up and dual gas or electric fridge
In the mid '70s, Fiat re-organised the company to specialise in various sectors. The production of industrial vehicles was separated from that of cars. IVECO was formed in 1975 for heavy commercials and the Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles brand was born, bringing onto the market the model 850T, latterly replaced by 900T/E or Citivan as it was known as in the UK.
Italy and the UK both saw a growing demand for "in between" sized smaller vans that gave an a bigger carrying capacity than the car derived options available from most manufactures yet were still small and economical enough to be used in more confined environments.
The Fiat 900E was an excellent van. It followed the popular configuration of the VW type 2 with a rear engine, a side loading door and tail gate.
It was available as The Citivan (panel van) a Multicar (7 seat Mini bus) or an Amigo (Motor Caravan).
The Amigo, claimed at the time by some to be the best- selling 'van' in Britain, was indeed popular and virtually unopposed at the lower end of the Motor Caravan market. However in the early eighties a rival, enemy even, was on the horizon.
Displayed for the first time at the 1981 Earls Court Caravan show and launched the following year was the prototype Fiat PANDORA from longstanding and highly respected Poole based conversion specialists CI Autohomes.
The PANDORA improved all of the tried, tested and loved features of the Amigo which led it to be rated well ahead on appearance and quality not only of its Fiat rival but also of the new to the market Volkswagen based Caravelle.
The rear engined configuration of both the Fiat and the VW imposed limitations on the interior design. Where the PANDORA really excelled though and gained the most ground over both these rivals was in CI's unique and ingenious elevating roof that also extended sideways over the base vehicle on both sides to give space that was not far off being equal to that of many of the elevating roof VW conversions available and much more that the Amigo.
The rigid roof was double skinned and insulated both to the sides and ends as opposed to the expanse of fabric offered by other Motor Homes at the time. The roof had an electric strip light and a Perspex window and curtain in each side. Fold up quarter panels at each end of each side could be left ajar or open altogether for ventilation at night. For excellent ventilation during the day if required either one of the sides could also be left folded down.
Leaving one side and 2 end quarter panels down could also provide a type of Grandstand viewing platform at festivals and events. The bed boards could be fitted at either end and a cushion is provided so one end could be used for seating children and the to give huge storage (see picture). The folded down side also doubles as a surface for drinks, programs binoculars etc.
The other huge advantage of this amazing CI roof was the extra room that it gives to the useable interior space, increasing the total internal area by an incredible 76%. Creating enough room for upstairs sleeping for a 6'x4' double bed and plenty of storage or an optional 6'x2' single to go along side the double, still with space between.
An amazing internal Standing room of around 6' 5".
Other features of the Pandora were front cab seats that pivoted to the rear facing position to form part of the four seater dinette and a double rear seat that converts to a single seat providing standing room in front of the kitchen unit, or in conjunction with the driver's seat, creating a low level single bed and plenty of floor space without the need to raise the roof.
Standard equipment on the early, now most desirable, CI versions included an integral stainless steel sink with tap and electric water feed from on board 8 gallon storage filled from outside through lockable flap. Two burner stainless steel cooker and grille. 1 cubic foot Electrolux dual gas/12v refrigerator. Not an inch of space was wasted in the design with wardrobe, store away dining table, cupboards, lockers, and vented gas bottle storage compartment. Plus luxurious soft furnishings in gold/brown patterned velvet Draylon upholstery and long pile nylon carpet.
Overall with the roof down the Pandora would fit into the average garage being just 12' 3" long 4' 10" wide and just over 6'5" high. It would also fit into most parking spaces and was easy to drive and manoeuvre into tight places. It had a top speed of over 60 miles per hour and could return 40 + MPG.
The CI Autohomes sales literature in 1982 proclaimed.
"Fiat Pandora. Sheer magic from CI Autohomes" going on to say that "The new CI Pandora is the only really compact Motor caravan with a rigid, insulated elevating roof combining economical everyday transport with the facilities of a full sized motor caravan. That's magic!" - well quite, we could not have put it better ourselves!
Today these hugely popular and sought after compact Motor Homes are very, very rare indeed. Only a few hundred were ever made.
When CI Autohomes converted a Fiat Citivan into a PANDORA they only used brand new base vehicles which remained in their factory paint finish.
The new vans would be transported to the CI facility in Poole Dorset were each one would be hand built before being distributed to dealers.
In the early eighties CI Autohomes ltd became Autohomes UK ltd and dropped the CI initials along with making changes to the trim and other items. It is thought that the new company also began converting second hand Fiat 900's which meant that Light Van would show on the log book rather than Motor Caravan which would show when converted from new.
INTERIOR
We just love the original interior which is, very rarely, still completely intact. CI were considered one of the best manufactures of Motor Caravans and attention to detail and quality of components was second to none.
The design and use of space is ingenious with every inch utilised and covered with hardly any body colour left showing.
The cab seats which reverse with the pull of a leaver are in excellent condition as are the matching double in the rear.
There is a fridge, sink with electric water pump and 8 gallon external fill water tank, double gas hob and grill.
There is ample storage with cupboards under the sink/hob with holders for bottles etc. There are lockers and even a wardrobe! storage space above the engine and below the folded roof sides.
Internal storage for gas bottle.
Dining table which doubles as the base for the down stairs single bed covered by the rear seat cushions.
Three part work top over kitchen units, the centre one double as a coffee table and attaches to the van side. the other two fold upwards. Over fridge work top.
The roof really is an excellent feature of The CI PANDORA it makes the vehicle just so versatile and increases the space enormously. It is so much better than fabric pop up roofs and is very stable. Being made of insulated aluminium it is very cosy and less prone to wind buffeting etc. The van will accommodate 4 with 3 in the roof and one below, plus you could always add a drive away awning to further the options.
pandora by Peter Thompson, on Flickr
http://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=84840
:A very rare camper indeed from the renowned British Motor Caravan company CI Autohomes who pioneered the 'bed over cab' concept in the UK.
Based on the delightful little Fiat 900E "Citivan" and converted when new, only a few hundred were ever made.
Marketed when new By CI as a "Motorised Magic Box" being not much bigger on the outside than the average small car yet with so much practical and useable room inside.
Extremely well equipped with a rigid double skinned insulated roof that not only elevates up but extends over both sides to give an extra 76% space with 'upstairs' sleeping.
Hob, grill, sink, 8 gallon water tank, mains hook up and dual gas or electric fridge
In the mid '70s, Fiat re-organised the company to specialise in various sectors. The production of industrial vehicles was separated from that of cars. IVECO was formed in 1975 for heavy commercials and the Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles brand was born, bringing onto the market the model 850T, latterly replaced by 900T/E or Citivan as it was known as in the UK.
Italy and the UK both saw a growing demand for "in between" sized smaller vans that gave an a bigger carrying capacity than the car derived options available from most manufactures yet were still small and economical enough to be used in more confined environments.
The Fiat 900E was an excellent van. It followed the popular configuration of the VW type 2 with a rear engine, a side loading door and tail gate.
It was available as The Citivan (panel van) a Multicar (7 seat Mini bus) or an Amigo (Motor Caravan).
The Amigo, claimed at the time by some to be the best- selling 'van' in Britain, was indeed popular and virtually unopposed at the lower end of the Motor Caravan market. However in the early eighties a rival, enemy even, was on the horizon.
Displayed for the first time at the 1981 Earls Court Caravan show and launched the following year was the prototype Fiat PANDORA from longstanding and highly respected Poole based conversion specialists CI Autohomes.
The PANDORA improved all of the tried, tested and loved features of the Amigo which led it to be rated well ahead on appearance and quality not only of its Fiat rival but also of the new to the market Volkswagen based Caravelle.
The rear engined configuration of both the Fiat and the VW imposed limitations on the interior design. Where the PANDORA really excelled though and gained the most ground over both these rivals was in CI's unique and ingenious elevating roof that also extended sideways over the base vehicle on both sides to give space that was not far off being equal to that of many of the elevating roof VW conversions available and much more that the Amigo.
The rigid roof was double skinned and insulated both to the sides and ends as opposed to the expanse of fabric offered by other Motor Homes at the time. The roof had an electric strip light and a Perspex window and curtain in each side. Fold up quarter panels at each end of each side could be left ajar or open altogether for ventilation at night. For excellent ventilation during the day if required either one of the sides could also be left folded down.
Leaving one side and 2 end quarter panels down could also provide a type of Grandstand viewing platform at festivals and events. The bed boards could be fitted at either end and a cushion is provided so one end could be used for seating children and the to give huge storage (see picture). The folded down side also doubles as a surface for drinks, programs binoculars etc.
The other huge advantage of this amazing CI roof was the extra room that it gives to the useable interior space, increasing the total internal area by an incredible 76%. Creating enough room for upstairs sleeping for a 6'x4' double bed and plenty of storage or an optional 6'x2' single to go along side the double, still with space between.
An amazing internal Standing room of around 6' 5".
Other features of the Pandora were front cab seats that pivoted to the rear facing position to form part of the four seater dinette and a double rear seat that converts to a single seat providing standing room in front of the kitchen unit, or in conjunction with the driver's seat, creating a low level single bed and plenty of floor space without the need to raise the roof.
Standard equipment on the early, now most desirable, CI versions included an integral stainless steel sink with tap and electric water feed from on board 8 gallon storage filled from outside through lockable flap. Two burner stainless steel cooker and grille. 1 cubic foot Electrolux dual gas/12v refrigerator. Not an inch of space was wasted in the design with wardrobe, store away dining table, cupboards, lockers, and vented gas bottle storage compartment. Plus luxurious soft furnishings in gold/brown patterned velvet Draylon upholstery and long pile nylon carpet.
Overall with the roof down the Pandora would fit into the average garage being just 12' 3" long 4' 10" wide and just over 6'5" high. It would also fit into most parking spaces and was easy to drive and manoeuvre into tight places. It had a top speed of over 60 miles per hour and could return 40 + MPG.
The CI Autohomes sales literature in 1982 proclaimed.
"Fiat Pandora. Sheer magic from CI Autohomes" going on to say that "The new CI Pandora is the only really compact Motor caravan with a rigid, insulated elevating roof combining economical everyday transport with the facilities of a full sized motor caravan. That's magic!" - well quite, we could not have put it better ourselves!
Today these hugely popular and sought after compact Motor Homes are very, very rare indeed. Only a few hundred were ever made.
When CI Autohomes converted a Fiat Citivan into a PANDORA they only used brand new base vehicles which remained in their factory paint finish.
The new vans would be transported to the CI facility in Poole Dorset were each one would be hand built before being distributed to dealers.
In the early eighties CI Autohomes ltd became Autohomes UK ltd and dropped the CI initials along with making changes to the trim and other items. It is thought that the new company also began converting second hand Fiat 900's which meant that Light Van would show on the log book rather than Motor Caravan which would show when converted from new.
INTERIOR
We just love the original interior which is, very rarely, still completely intact. CI were considered one of the best manufactures of Motor Caravans and attention to detail and quality of components was second to none.
The design and use of space is ingenious with every inch utilised and covered with hardly any body colour left showing.
The cab seats which reverse with the pull of a leaver are in excellent condition as are the matching double in the rear.
There is a fridge, sink with electric water pump and 8 gallon external fill water tank, double gas hob and grill.
There is ample storage with cupboards under the sink/hob with holders for bottles etc. There are lockers and even a wardrobe! storage space above the engine and below the folded roof sides.
Internal storage for gas bottle.
Dining table which doubles as the base for the down stairs single bed covered by the rear seat cushions.
Three part work top over kitchen units, the centre one double as a coffee table and attaches to the van side. the other two fold upwards. Over fridge work top.
The roof really is an excellent feature of The CI PANDORA it makes the vehicle just so versatile and increases the space enormously. It is so much better than fabric pop up roofs and is very stable. Being made of insulated aluminium it is very cosy and less prone to wind buffeting etc. The van will accommodate 4 with 3 in the roof and one below, plus you could always add a drive away awning to further the options.
pandora by Peter Thompson, on Flickrhttp://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=84840
Last edited:
