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Panda (Classic) Panda Baby

Introduction

Hi everyone,

It's my first time here so I thought I would share my project with the group,

About a year and a half ago we obtained decent nick (par some accident damage on the bonnet and passengers door, most importantly there was no rust# 750L from 1990 with about 29k on the clock. We chose the name Panda Baby and it has now become my project to get her back into shape.

First off, it's nice to see a place where everyone still talks about these classics, It's great to see people are still keeping theirs on the road.

When I started out I knew this project would become a labour of love to get her back into mint condition so here goes on the list of mechanical\cosmetic work done so far and what's left to do.

•Change belts.
•Change Head-Gasket #Blew up at about 35k#
•Full exhaust system change
•Front Windscreen replacement.
•Front discs, pads and calipers replaced.
•Front suspension arms and bushes replaced.
Front suspension ball joints replaced.
Changed R2 bulbs to their halogen equivalents.
•Starter motor replaced.
•Fuel pump and filter replaced.
•Set of wheels #x4 .
•New front indicator lens and switch.
•Wheel respray.
•Full t-cut, polish and petrol shine.
Engine petrol\valve cleaning\treatment.
Brake master cylinder changed
New Contact Set/Base Plate
New Points
New Distributor Cap
New HT Leads
New Rotor Arm
New water pump

Things left to do

•Drivers side wing replacement

Welcome, good looking little car. Got a real hankering for a white one now. Sounds like you're treating it well anyway so look forward to watching progress.
Bumper/ bonnet plastics? intrigued now, what's up?
 
Hi all,

Jon, you may have done :), were in the South at the mo.

The bonnet/passenger door got dented in an accident before we got it, incredibly it didn't take off any paint, bonnet looks like a filler job and respray as the dent is about a quarter inch deep.

Passenger side door has a larger dent but again no paint damage, its only on the outer skin but doesn't look like a suction job so more filler and respraying.

Bumper plastics got bent out of shape so I'm thinking I can remould it with some heat and brute but gentle force lol.

Sounds bad but thankfully no major damage.

Once we get the mechanicals fully sorted I'll move on to the bodywork.

New halogens and battery are on the way, going a treat after the valve cleaning and exhaust swap.

Done the initial engine bay cleaning bits so going to move on to the simple cleaning tasks like the filter housing this weekend.

Spare wheel needs sanding and a respray.

Labour of love ay :)
 
The weekend is here and so is the cloudy weather, the perfect opportunity for a spot of spring engine bay cleaning and tackling the sad looking spare wheel.

I started out by grabbing the spare from under the hood, it is in a rather sorry looking state.



First things first, a very light sanding, thorough clean and preparation of the area to be painted.



Masking done and first coat sorted.



After 3 coats, looking solid, will add an additional rust inhibitor coat and clear coat next weekend.



Home sweet home in it's old spot, it was at this point I felt bad for having not tackled the Filter Housings lovely green box, so onwards to that.



After a thorough clean and a bit more engine bay clean-up the bonnet has been closed for another day.
 
Thorough clean and dry, very light sanding to remove the surface rust then another clean. 3 coats of paint (Had some spare tins but no primer so did a couple of coats to act as the base) then a rust inhibitor\clear coat combo next week to keep it good for the next 20 years.
 
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What paint did you use? Just a car spray steel colour?

I need to do mine.

Hi, I used a generic silver car wheel spray paint, depending on the rust I would go for the all in 1 car/metal paints, the preventative paint im going for on the final finish is this, going to try it on the spare and see how it matches, if it looks good all the others will get the same treatment: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004Z4UMDW/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1.
 
Update:

Finally got some R2 Halogens to replace the original golf halls, not sure on the increase in visibility but will post some night shots. For the curious they were replacement Osram Haloroads 45/40w @ http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B001CC6VW6?pd=1&d=d

New battery going in tomorrow which is long overdue since the starter went.
 
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Got some bad news today, Panda failed her MOT (4 failures), seems age is taking its toll, everything else was fine par the list below.

On the repair list now,

Failures

New front ball joints (MOT failure on dust caps)
Weld rear suspension mounts. (Corrosion)

Advisories

Weld underside of sills on both sides. (Corrosion)
Investigate possible oil leak. (They didn't state where and I haven't seen a single drop on the floor, need to jack her up to find out.)

Depending on the cost she may have to be put away for a while but I shall not be giving up on her anytime soon.
 
Got some wonderful news since my last update, i'm going to be a dad :), which unfortunately means Panda may have to take a back seat while I find a car for the baby to go in as the mrs doesn't think Panda is safe for a baby.

On a separate note, Panda Baby is going in for a new Timing Belt, Tensioners and Water Pump tomorrow which will probably be the last few bits I can afford to buy before the new arrival.
 
Well folks, it is a truly sad day for me, with an impending arrival in the coming weeks and having to save as much as I can for the day I can no longer afford to keep my beloved panda.

I have been trying for several weeks to get hold of the new ignition parts (Contact Set, Points and Condensor) with no luck and unfortunately the brake master cylinder has started leaking fluid, other than those niggles she is a wonderful runner.

It is now time to hand her over to someone who can give her a good home.

She's taxed for the next 6 months and MOT'd (I'll check the expiry date).

Anyone interested please pm me a message. I'll put an ad on the site too.
 
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