Panda01.png

Panda (Classic) My Panda 4x4 by NorthernChap

Introduction

OK folks, it's the moment you've all been waiting for - I've finally got around to doing a members motors thread for my car. Exciting stuff, eh?

A quick recap then, for those who haven't been paying attention.

A few years back I went on holiday to Tuscany and while I was over there I loved seeing all the Pandas going up and down the hilly roads and I said that I'd get one when we got home. Of course, other things got in the way and I had to wait until August of this year to start living the dream! I got sick of watching Sisleys go for silly money, so I just did this instead:



Slightly foolish some might say, but I was sick of waiting and it wasn't too far away. It came complete with a long MOT, a pretty solid underside which had a lot of work for the previous MOT, new rear shocks and a few bits of spares. The previous owner had been on this very forum, as evidenced here:

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-classic/423231-4x4-1986-rear-bull-bar.html

So, picked it up and got it home - it ran fine and once I got used to the space hopper-esque ride it was a lot of fun. Next job was to assess the damage:



OK, I took those after I got my new tyres but the grot is the same! The drivers door is also rotten but I don't seem to have a picture of that to hand.

The car came with a new scuttle panel (in fact it came with two, one of which I gave to andyholli) so that part can get done at some point later.

Getting ahead of myself now though... the next thing that happened was I found this forum and specifically the thread for the 1st National Panday which sounded like a good laugh. I did wonder if my other half would mind me dragging her off to a remote muddy field with a lot of other Panda oddballs but she was up for it so plans were made.

...to be continued! :)
Been a very busy weekend... here's a couple of pics from yesterday where you can clearly see that my 'quick and dirty' paintjob turned into a 'might as well do it half-properly at least now I'm on with it' so I ended up removing the doors and boot which I originally wasn't going to bother with. I also masked up the car so it looked like Postman Pat's van.



There was plenty more Panda action but unfortunately it got dark so no more pictures. Then I had a whole day at it again today but likewise it was dark when I came in so you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what I've been up to! :)
 
Without further ado... it's green! :)



Still got a bit of putting back together ahead, but I'm away for a few weeks so I needed to just get the doors and boot back on so I can leave it watertight.

I didn't put the new door on in the end as I ran out of time so I just rust converted the old one at the bottom and painted over it - it'll do until I get back and I can do it properly. Ditto painting the inside of the doors, although I did do the boot. I need to underseal the arches before I put the plastic covers back on, plus I need to redo the black paint next to the windows and on the sills, paint and fit the roofrack, treat and refit the bumpers, reconnect the wiring I chopped for the rear wiper so I could take the boot lid off, refit the bullbars front and rear, wire up the stereo, sort out the squeaking brakes.... phew! :)
 
Last edited:
The best part of the whole job is that if I get any scratches on the car I can just dip the roller in the tin and roll on some more paint - perfect! I also have more plans for it, this is still a work in progress but Sam was threatening to steal all of my thunder by painting his on the same weekend so I had to share something! :)
 
Does look good mate! I'll ask for paint details for future references. Colour is greate, already look a bit sun faded, too intense cammo is no good. We're getting Panda Army out there.
 
Does look good mate! I'll ask for paint details for future references. Colour is greate, already look a bit sun faded, too intense cammo is no good. We're getting Panda Army out there.

It's NATO green matt finish from TradePaints - http://r.ebay.com/81Tv6u - good quality and seems to cover well even over red.

Used about half a tin of 2.5 litre (without thinning) and that is at least two coats all over the outside of the car but not the inside yet. Some parts have three coats, depends on how well it was looking.

The pictures I posted were early in the morning so it was very damp, in the dry it looks like the first picture, while the car is still masked up - a little lighter in colour and definitely matt.

I have put more of the parts back on the car now so I will try to get another pic tomorrow - tried to go for a test drive and it wouldn't start... :bang:

Hopefully just a bit of damp and a low battery from me testing all the electricals without the engine running. Find out tomorrow I guess!
 
OK, I know you're probably bored of seeing it now but I worked damn hard on it for days so I'm still enjoying it!

Here is the car today - managed to get it started in the end with a good blast of WD-40 to the dizzy cap (I've never rated WD-40 before, PlusGas is better for penetrating fluid, 3 in 1 for lubrication, etc - but now I know what it does best as the name would suggest!).

I haven't finished fitting everything but I put enough back on to drive it.



Eagle-eyed viewers will note the open sunroof - I forgot and now both front seats are soaked - meh! I am leaving Nic in charge of the car as I'm away for a few weeks so she's hopefully going to dry it out a bit if the sun ever shines...
 
Grrrr! I'm trying to replace all of the front brakes on the car as it was making horrendous squealing noises and they weren't feeling too clever.

Got new discs, calipers, pads and fitting kit. Then the monsoon season started. :cry:

I persevered today despite downpour and hangover, but I was beaten by this little f***er in the end.



I just can't seem to get any purchase on it and I don't want to round it off.

Any ideas anyone?
 
Back
Top