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Panda (Classic) 1993 Fiat Panda Fizz "Pandino"

Introduction

Hey everyone, let me introduce you to my first car! :)

The car is a 1993 Fiat Panda Fizz, 999cc engine with fuel injection, only 26,000 miles at the time of buying. Nicknamed "Pandino" by the previous owner, and I'll make sure that name sticks! :D

Pictures are compulsory of course, so I've attached some of my first images that I've taken of the car. You'll likely find various other pictures in this thread when I get some things done to it! I attached the pictures to this post and I've uploaded one to the gallery so that I can have this one embedded! :rolleyes:
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*Following list is from original post, more has been done since, read thread for more*
What have I done already? Well I haven't even had the car for a couple of days yet, but I've done a few things...
  1. Used upholstery cleaner on the dirty ceiling, definitely needs some more though!
  2. Figured out how to do everything (i.e. parcel shelf removal, putting seats down, seat positions, mirrors etc)!
  3. Cleaned all the windows and mirrors!
  4. Checked all fluids and oil levels!
  5. Checked all lights/buttons!
  6. Checked tyre pressures, which I might decrease in the rear as they're running quite high!
  7. Took out the spare wheel/tyre, gave it a good clean but it is showing it's age, though it's been pumped up so it'll get me home if I need it now!
  8. Took the seal/cover off the heater matrix to remove the forest that was growing within it...
  9. Tried taking off the grille but couldn't get one of the centre poppers off and the front screws look a bit rounded off...
  10. Ran the car and moved it on the driveway!
  11. Put a blanket, a bag, a tool extension and a first aid kit in the boot!

*Following list is from original post, read thread for more*
What I plan to do next...
  1. Clean, clean, clean!
  2. Hopefully obtain new badges for the front and rear as all are discoloured!
  3. Try and clean the garage to fit the car in (or more likely at this time, find a suitable car cover for it)!
  4. Seal doors to prevent rust!
  5. Get some touch up paint for areas where paint has come away!
  6. Buy some Fiat Forum stickers of course!
  7. Potentially buy new number plates or at least replace some screws as they're looking a bit worn!
  8. What ever else I end up thinking of... follow the thread and read for more!

I also plan to go to some Panda classic events with others. I'll keep an eye out, but feel free to invite me to something if you've got something/see something going on!

That's about all I can think of right now! It feels so strange having a car, I'm very happy to have bought a car I really wanted. I've been looking for ages. :worship: If you have any questions about it then please do ask! I'm very happy to talk about my car! (y)
Moved the car over again today. Did a bit more upholstery cleaning, still needs more but I think it's at least a bit better! Tried to clean up the rear window seals but they seem to want to stay partially green. I'll have to keep at it with some other products and see how clean I can get it :D Also replaced the old first aid kit with a new one, got a spare bulb set and a new anti-mist pad! :cool:

I went down to Halfords and asked about seals for the car but they don't sell them. Anyone recommend a place to get seals? I attached pictures of my current ones if that helps? :confused: I looked for some and I can find lots of universal ones by the metre but there's all sorts of shapes :bang:

EDIT: also quite important for me to find soon is a car cover, anyone recommend one? Cheers!
 

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Nice looking little car there(y)
Window seals:
Destra -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221025270981?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Sinistra -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221025265878?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I did get a car cover from Halfords at one point but can't vouch for what it's like as I have never taken it out of the packet. Bit of a pain in the backside to use if the car is in eveyday use basically, only really useful if you're laying the car up for the winter or something.
 
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Nice looking little car there(y)
Window seals:
Destra -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221025270981?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Sinistra -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221025265878?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I did get a car cover from Halfords at one point but can't vouch for what it's like as I have never taken it out of the packet. Bit of a pain in the backside to use if the car is in eveyday use basically, only really useful if you're laying the car up for the winter or something.
Thank you very much! :D

I can't say I know what destra and sinistra are... I've sent off some pictures to a company in the UK who do seals so I'll see if they do any as they'll be cheaper than those if they do them, thanks for the links - have you used these before? :p

Well, I just want to do the best I can for the car really. If we can't clear enough space in the garage then I suppose a cover would be better than nothing. I don't know if leaving it out for a long period of time will do it much good :eek: I've heard what these cars can be like for rusting... need to prevent it as best I can. Tips? Thanks again :)
 
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sinistro = left, destro = right. ;) useful to get a smattering of relevant Italian words & browse ebay.it for parts, much, much more common over there for obvious reasons. Haven't tried these door seals but used the seller before and usually good & fast.
Door bottoms aside rusting is more of an issue underneath really from road salt spray. Forget about a cover (although it might stop that red paint going pink:p) just jetwash areas like wheel arches and underbody regularly, and get some underseal on there while it's still good. As regards doors, make sure the drain holes in the bottom are clear and fill them with your choice of rustproofing gunk. They usually rust from the inside out.
 
sinistro = left, destro = right. ;) useful to get a smattering of relevant Italian words & browse ebay.it for parts, much, much more common over there for obvious reasons. Haven't tried these door seals but used the seller before and usually good & fast.
Door bottoms aside rusting is more of an issue underneath really from road salt spray. Forget about a cover (although it might stop that red paint going pink:p) just jetwash areas like wheel arches and underbody regularly, and get some underseal on there while it's still good. As regards doors, make sure the drain holes in the bottom are clear and fill them with your choice of rustproofing gunk. They usually rust from the inside out.
I had a feeling it may had been that, but then I thought again and guessed it wouldn't usually matter which way it was with seals! :p

I'd prefer to keep it in as pristine condition as possible obviously. I'll be sure to take on board those tips, thanks! That will be rustproofing gunk and underseal added to the list if I can't find any in the garage - the list is getting longer and longer. Going to have to prioritise as my money is going to driving lessons at the minute, only managing to get a few smaller things on the side seeing as how the seller gave me a hard bargain on the price for the car! (y) Hopefully I can get the garage, but it may prove difficult :rolleyes:
 
So after talking to Vman, I think it's not really the seals I'll be looking to replace, but instead I'll be looking at getting some cavity wax for the doors. That's added to the list along with other cleaning/rust proofing stuffs... I'll look inside the windows as well though, it's possible that the ones on the inside could swap with the ones on the outside. We'll see :D

I've now written up a list of all the things I need/want to do to the car in my folder of all the car's papers. It's a very long list, a bit longer than the one in the original post :p Nonetheless, that gives me things to do, so when I have the time and money, I'll be getting on with various things and I'll be posting my updates here! :)
 
Uh oh? Not sure how this happened, going to be keeping an eye on it...

Found some water behind both seats, where driver's feet are and just next to the mount nearest the door of the driver's seat. No water is on any of the seats, so that's good I suppose. I'll go check it out some more later. :bang:
 

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Found some water behind both seats, where driver's feet are and just next to the mount nearest the door of the driver's seat.

I love your floor matt.


Re water ingress have a closer look on the bottom edge of windscreen seal from inside. If no signs of water there use the old fashion talc (or flour) method to trace the source.
 
I love your floor matt.


Re water ingress have a closer look on the bottom edge of windscreen seal from inside. If no signs of water there use the old fashion talc (or flour) method to trace the source.
Thanks, it's just how I bought it, I may get mats to go on top of it though... we'll see, I've got enough else to do as well :p

I cleaned up the water so I'll review what's happening later. Will check the car again in a bit. I'll look at the windscreen seal too as I was checking doors mostly, thanks.
 
Be careful when trying to find a red to match .

Due to age your car will have gone pink or orange and the original colour on the inner door jammes or inside the boot is the right original colour.

The exterior will have faded badly so avoid cans of spray from Halfords as they will not do.

Dave
 
Be careful when trying to find a red to match .

Due to age your car will have gone pink or orange and the original colour on the inner door jammes or inside the boot is the right original colour.

The exterior will have faded badly so avoid cans of spray from Halfords as they will not do.

Dave
It is still quite a good colour as is, but I completely understand your point, yes.

Do you know of any where better that will do cans of spray? Apparently Halford can mix paints to get your colour, but I'd rather do it properly, just need to know where to go!
 
As you have already been in touch with the 'Master' Vern, I suggest he may be able to give the best advise as he has had lots of pain done.

Other than that talk to a local spay shop about it.

My 4x4 is now so faded only a respray will do, but your looks like only touchups are needed which sometimes makes it even harder.

Dave
 
As you have already been in touch with the 'Master' Vern, I suggest he may be able to give the best advise as he has had lots of pain done.

Other than that talk to a local spay shop about it.

My 4x4 is now so faded only a respray will do, but your looks like only touchups are needed which sometimes makes it even harder.

Dave

Yes Dave I have had lots of pain done :p.

I don't use Halfords mixed paints as I never found them to be a good match, but I know of others that have been happy with it. I've also had poor matches from other suppliers since so it's certainly not an exact art.
Wherever you get your paint from always mix it thoroughly before applying as this will help.

P.S. I pm'd you about swapping around the window seals before I saw your post suggesting the same idea.
 
Yes Dave I have had lots of pain done :p.

I don't use Halfords mixed paints as I never found them to be a good match, but I know of others that have been happy with it. I've also had poor matches from other suppliers since so it's certainly not an exact art.
Wherever you get your paint from always mix it thoroughly before applying as this will help.

P.S. I pm'd you about swapping around the window seals before I saw your post suggesting the same idea.
Yeah, that's the problem I have. Obviously I want a good match, but I can't guarantee that anywhere. May just have to go with Halfords and see. Still waiting on my V5, though...

Yep, thanks for that - was thinking of doing that as saw they were the perfect size earlier. Might swap them around seeing as how water should be a great problem on the outside... though saying that, pictures of my car earlier show that I had some inside too :bang:

Checked the car a couple times since, and it has been raining, yet now no water in the car is building up. Seals seem to be okay and keeping out the rain, but I'll keep checking to make sure it's still alright. Might only happen in stronger rain! :rolleyes:
 
I'll get around to swapping the seals tomorrow, hopefully.

Just attached an image of a potential water leak culprit. I left the car for a while when it was raining. While I found no sign of water inside the car this time, I did see a few water drops from here on the driver's door seal. Will have to look into it some more tomorrow as well. Could need a new seal, or at least some sealant/silicon to stop water coming in from there? :rolleyes: We'll see :p
 

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Left my Panda overnight and I've got some more water now. Here are the pictures of the back, I put the seats up as it felt very slightly damp on either side of the rear seat, it looks like there's some sort of oil under the seat, I'm not sure how this one is happening... also attached a picture of some tape type stuff over some holes under the carpet. Not sure if that has to do with anything, probably not. A little wet near the rear of the seat (underneath rear, nothing on top of seat) too, near to where it joins up with the boot, but the rest of the boot is bone dry.
 

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Continuing on from the last post (pictures of rear above), here are pictures from the front as water has got in by the driver's seat again. I'm suspecting the door seal, as the windscreen seal looks good. Any suggestions? Going to have to look at it some more, going to be trial and error I think!
 

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Continuing on from the last post (pictures of rear above), here are pictures from the front as water has got in by the driver's seat again.QUOTE]

Does the window/door top frame seats tight against the A-pillar and roof?
Have you got one key for all doors/ ignition? or different?


Rather than spending £ on door seals if you can find any, you can buy a length of neoprene cord 4-6mm dia and thread it inside the seal section.
 
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Does the window/door top frame seats tight against the A-pillar and roof?
Have you got one key for all doors/ ignition? or different?


Rather than spending £ on door seals if you can find any, you can buy a length of neoprene cord 4-6mm dia and thread it inside the seal section.
Ding ding ding. Window/door top frame does NOT sit tight against the seals on the roof, but it does start to line up when it's going down the A-pillar... it's almost as if the door is not on properly. At the bottom, I can see marks where the door grinds slightly on top of the top of the floor, and it's a harder door to shut than the passenger one.

Take a look at the pictures, you can see the seal isn't pressed by the door, and that the door (only at the top) isn't actually in line with the car at all. That's really odd. Might need to take it off and put it back on right? :rolleyes: Guess this still doesn't explain the rear but I've got some roll in the back to see if it's the plastic covers next to each seat letting in the water... we'll see on that one.
 

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