Panda (Classic) '88 Panda 4x4 SR

just turned 125k.

125k Young! still looks fantastic!

I'm dead jealous.

I had one of these new in 1989. One of the best cars I've had (if not quite the thing for motorways).

Mine was red with twin sunroofs. Fiat bullbars and Cibie Oscar dipping auxiliary lights.

I miss it...

Happy day today!! Received my parcel from David containing 4 sisley wheels!!:slayer: Over the next couple of weekends, they will be refurbed before getting a set of 155s on them

Some say that 145s are better in the snow, due to being skinnier, but surely it would affect stopping distances? I would assume that the 155s would be slightly safer on icy surfaces due to the extra width? We get more ice and rain than snow.

Either way, I'll have a set of both. 145s for the shows and summer driving. 155s for the winter, thats my plan.

Next month, I'll be investing in waxoyl (black), a few cans of dinitrol cavity wax and grease for UJs.

The material roof is still waterproof, but fear that it's coming to the end of it's life. The top layer is cracking in the corners where the roof folds and the stitching is coming away at the sides. I'll get a couple pics tomorrow. I think it will be best to replace this completely with another i've seen on eBay.it and possibly book it in with VmanC who I trust more than myself to fit it

Glad they arrived OK James!

A couple more pictures attached.
I have recently bought another MK3 Panda. Link - Abby

Looking good, why do you think it will fail the mot?

goodgirl156 said:

Looking good, why do you think it will fail the mot?

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I don't think it will fail...???

155 will probably reduce overall grip by having lower contact pressure.
Remember that the Panda is a very light car and will not really benefit from wider tyres except for crossing marshes !

Incidentally, the standard car ran 135's for a very long time - only later cars had largely fashion dictated 155/65's fitted. Never found any practical difference between them except that later cars with wider tyres were fractionally more prone to aquaplane.

My '86 had 135s on it too, just thought the wider tyres would have better performance in hard braking and ice due to the extra width.

I suppose I'll be getting 155s just for the look then lol

dragonwagon said:

155 will probably reduce overall grip by having lower contact pressure.
Remember that the Panda is a very light car and will not really benefit from wider tyres except for crossing marshes !

Incidentally, the standard car ran 135's for a very long time - only later cars had largely fashion dictated 155/65's fitted. Never found any practical difference between them except that later cars with wider tyres were fractionally more prone to aquaplane.

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135/80/13 and 155/65/13's apply to the 2wd Pandas, the 4x4 used 145/80/13 only as far as I'm aware.

I agree that 145's are best for snow and originality, 155/80/13's are better if you need a little more ground clearance off road and more grip on Tarmac. Aesthetically, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally prefer a wider tyre unless it's a car that needs to stay original. Having both options and swapping when necessary is the best option .

VmanC said:

135/80/13 and 155/65/13's apply to the 2wd Pandas, the 4x4 used 145/80/13 only as far as I'm aware.

I agree that 145's are best for snow and originality, 155/80/13's are better if you need a little more ground clearance off road and more grip on Tarmac. Aesthetically, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally prefer a wider tyre unless it's a car that needs to stay original. Having both options and swapping when necessary is the best option .

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Exactly my plan I'll keep the original 145s on the grey rims and I'll put the 155s on my rims once I have time to refurb them

Panda has developed a slight hiccup in lower revs, will investigate this at the weekend.

Hi,
Just a quick update. MOT booked for 29th! All I can see needs replacing is a foglight bulb. There is some rust showing underneath but I don't think this will fail. Tomorrow, Hammerite black with waxoyl on axles, leaf springs, prop and sump guards. After Brooklands, inside doors and sills etc will be treated! Rust work will start in summer before soaking it in waxoyl.

Hi James - great looking Panda

Just a note on the tyres, be careful putting 155s on as I did that... and scrubbed through my filler neck pipe :bang:

I tried this already lol, car is definitely more comfortable with 145s, so I'll stick with them.

Coming up next for my Panda, thanks to 4WDPandamonium

Spent some of today undersealing. More tomorrow and prep for MOT

james2609 said:

View attachment 115869
Coming up next for my Panda, thanks to 4WDPandamonium

Spent some of today undersealing. More tomorrow and prep for MOT

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Niccccccccccccccccccccccccce...on both counts..

Work in progress

james2609 said:

View attachment 115869
Coming up next for my Panda, thanks to 4WDPandamonium

Spent some of today undersealing. More tomorrow and prep for MOT

Click to expand...

The car looks mint, I'm looking forward to seeing the stickers on, keep it up!

Michael