Back again with a new project, similar to my trackday Uno but with the intention of making an everyday car replacement for my Classic Panda 1.4 16v.

I have had a few false starts with a new project as I couldn't decide which base car to start with. All ideas were involving the T-Jet engine which I love for its power-to-weight and its potential economy. I started last year with getting all the Abarth 500 bits to modify my 2008 100HP Panda and was just about to fit all the parts when I realised I didn't like modern cars really. The car was with me just 8 months before I sold it on, having realised how much faster and more fun the 1994 1.4 16v car was.

I have also thought about and researched heavily into doing a Tipo and fitting it out with Alfa parts so it would have independent rear and double wishbone front suspension, but ultimately it seemed like a lot of effort for a car that would perhaps be a little slow for me, uneconomical and more importantly too BIG!

So I have come back to the Uno which is a good weight, has half decent suspension, does not require a catalytic converter and is easily insured for tuppence when modified. It also has the most retro appeal for me out of the potential model line-up of the pre-1992 era.

I bought the project car yesterday. A 1984 B-reg 55s without a sunroof and full of retro goodness like genuine FIAT Line Accessory arches and chin spoiler.



I have spent today fixing all the lights, fitting a door lock mech and checking things. Going to try for an MOT within the week. I like to have an MOT before I take the car apart so I can test drive the parts as I modify, rather than trying to get an MOT with a completely untested car that might not even make it to the test centre when it is finished.

I have collected nearly all of the parts I need to modify it over the last 6 months. General idea is to keep it looking as close to what it does now inside and out and the appearance under the bonnet to look factory, although obviously uprated to an expert's eyes! I want long-term reliability and everyday usability.

My modification intentions are:

• Punto T-Jet 120 engine with standard VL37 turbo and using 2009 electronics. Adjustable TMC tuning box.
• C514 gearbox (not Uno turbo like the trackday car). Using Panda/500 Multijet box with FIRE bellhousing. Standard late Uno FIRE driveshafts.
• Changing engine flywheel to solid 200mm type. Going to try standard 200mm 1.4 GP clutch. This is a possible weak link.
• Double Bowden cable gear shift from Seicento.
• Standard UT air box with high flow panel filter.
• Standard Mk2 UT intercooler.
• UT (and others) front anti-roll bar. Considering a rear anti-roll bar like the trackday car.
• Single-point injection fuel tank with uprated pump.
• Late Punto GT (large piston) front brake callipers and UT or Punto GT rear brakes (have both).
• Punto brake servo and larger bore master cylinder.
• 14 x 5.5" Mk2 Punto steel wheels with period wheel trims from a Tempra hopefully. 185/55 Yokohama S.Drive tyres. 20mm spacers all round I think, because of the arches.
• Koni adjustable front shocks and Monroe Sensatrac rears with Pi lowering springs (-35mm). Tyres will raise by 6mm, so 29mm total lowering.
• UT radiator and Uno diesel header tank.

Consider the beans spilt.

Lucky you, got that Uno! I was keeping an eye on it on ebay too. May I kindly suggest: why don't you maintain its originality? It's a MK1, a potential classic.

nunesaf said:

Lucky you, got that Uno! I was keeping an eye on it on ebay too. May I kindly suggest: why don't you maintain its originality? It's a MK1, a potential classic.

Click to expand...

I appreciate everything about the car's classic appeal and I don't want to lose any of its originality other than the way it feels to drive. I love minimalist design and prefer the basic models to turbos etc. It's appearance inside and out will be very similar to what it is now when modified. No bucket seats, stripped interior, racing steering wheel, big stereo or exhaust. This car will be used properly and seen every day. I could put it in the garage and take it out to clean it and not drive it to keep it from rusting. But that would give me little pleasure. Perhaps you can be the one to do that?

This is the one to watch!!

loving the project already!! but need more pics of the 55s

engine bay shots as is please

i'm subscribed to this thread as i've loved your other project threads.
looking forward to how this goes.

lewey said:

I appreciate everything about the car's classic appeal and I don't want to lose any of its originality other than the way it feels to drive. I love minimalist design and prefer the basic models to turbos etc. It's appearance inside and out will be very similar to what it is now when modified. No bucket seats, stripped interior, racing steering wheel, big stereo or exhaust. This car will be used properly and seen every day. I could put it in the garage and take it out to clean it and not drive it to keep it from rusting. But that would give me little pleasure. Perhaps you can be the one to do that?

Click to expand...

I understand your project and that's great. A modern engine is easier to drive and more pleasurable to use and definitely a point to consider if using the car on a daily basis.

I am subscribed to this thread - I hope seeing lots of pictures here .

My Uno lives under the sky and I take it at least twice a week to the office for work. I too have pleasure in using my toys and do love my things to be as perfect as possible. But without using them it makes little sense.

lewey said:

easily insured for tuppence when modified

Click to expand...

That's interesting - how come, compared to other modded cars?

fostertom said:

That's interesting - how come, compared to other modded cars?

Click to expand...

"Classic" insurance. Cheap (low insurance group) old cars can be insured on classic policies which don't actually have any usage restrictions that affect me for very low premiums. A little over £100 for an Uno or Panda is normal. If you then declare that they are ridiculously modified, it normally puts the premium up by a large amount proportionally, but not in real terms. I have the Uno and panda in my signature and this new one all in for £180 FC. In fact this latest addition was added for free as it is not any more risk than the other Uno. It gets tricky if I want even a very slightly bigger or expensive retro classic car. A 1990 1.6 Tipo for example! They won't bundle it onto the policy and will likely want £2-300 unmodified or £600 seriously modified and all based on the car's original insurance group, which is totally ridiculous. Quotes for my 2008 Panda 100HP project were near £1000. Unjustifiable for me.

You greedy bugger, you`ve already got 2 sleepers!

Subscribed

Great news - I already have classic ins and yes it's v cheap, as standard - had no idea modded was poss with classic. thanks

Wanted to ask readers for ideas on something that I haven't decided on yet; wheel trims. Although it seem trivial when work hasn't even commenced, the wheels and their visual relationship with the rest of the car in terms of spacing and the slight lowering of the suspension will be the largest if not the only noticeable modification to the car if the plan is followed through. I need 14" wheels to house the front brakes that seem like a must really.

I have found a company on eBay in Italy that do "exact copies" of original trims and I think I like the following Tempra ones the most. The Uno currently has the "5 bars" motif in proliferation at the moment- on the side graphics, all over the seats and the grille of course. These sport the same theme and smack of retro flavour. Got any better ideas?

Something I was toying with when I was thinking about banded steels was standard Uno/Panda/126 trims, but with chrome trim rings round the edge to space them & give them a rim effect.

That one you put up isnt one thats secured by the nuts, so you`ll loose one soon enough, then have to wait for a replacement from Italy...

I've also been thinking of keeping standard 70SX trims when we go to wider 13" alloys, tho a set of UT wheels wd be gd too.

But for the trims to pick up on the nuts, the wider wheels need to have phenomenal inset (or is it outset) i.e. the bolt flange face must be far outboard rel to the rim's centre line. Then I'd need fat spacers. Alfa 75 wheels seem to be only suitable ones - shd be able to get cheap, finish unimportant as hidden by the trims.

What does that sound like? Wd the spacers add back all the weight saved? Or might look for standard wider steel wheels - seems to be a bigger choice of them.

Have you guys had stud conversions on your unos thats nuts...

a73uk said:

Something I was toying with when I was thinking about banded steels was standard Uno/Panda/126 trims, but with chrome trim rings round the edge to space them & give them a rim effect.

That one you put up isnt one thats secured by the nuts, so you`ll loose one soon enough, then have to wait for a replacement from Italy...

Click to expand...

The idea of using a standard trim with an extra inch added is one I hadn't entertained. I actually think that it isn't necessary for the current trims I have, since these are actually available as a 14" as fitted to Tipos and Stradas? This probably is the most stealth approach. I've never had a car that has had trims and not been secured by bolts. Are they really that prone to falling off? A couple of silver zip ties should prevent lossage?

fostertom said:

I've also been thinking of keeping standard 70SX trims when we go to wider 13" alloys, tho a set of UT wheels wd be gd too.

But for the trims to pick up on the nuts, the wider wheels need to have phenomenal inset (or is it outset) i.e. the bolt flange face must be far outboard rel to the rim's centre line. Then I'd need fat spacers. Alfa 75 wheels seem to be only suitable ones - shd be able to get cheap, finish unimportant as hidden by the trims.

What does that sound like? Wd the spacers add back all the weight saved? Or might look for standard wider steel wheels - seems to be a bigger choice of them.

Click to expand...

A lot of thought clearly gone into your own stealth ideas! I have already got the 14" steels from a Mk2 Punto. I don't need or want anything wider; the emphasis is not on outright performance, I've already got one that does that! The theme of the project is the compromise of motoring factors. It has worked so well with the Panda..

Here is a link to a great web page that shows many period trims.

a73uk said:

You greedy bugger, you`ve already got 2 sleepers!

Subscribed

Click to expand...

Got the Panda, which this will probably replace. I haven't got any more, unless you count the other Uno, but to me it looks like a trackday car...

lewey said:

No bucket seats, stripped interior, racing steering wheel, big stereo or exhaust.

Click to expand...

You wouldn't like my uno turbo then... Although I don't have a big stereo in mine because it doesn't appeal to me. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, sounds like a great project though, I hope it works well for you.

I might like it; I've got another Uno with a bucket seat, stripped interior and a racing steering wheel. This will be the ying to that yang.

Did a proper inspection of the car today and removed a bucket-full of dirt from in the suspension and wheel arches in particular. I was happy to find that almost everything is good. The rear brake compensator spring was snapped and therefore not effective, one rear wheel bearing is worn and there are a couple of rust patches which I took photos of. Probably the worst rust is actually the O/S headlight window in the breakfast panel! Fortunately the mounting holes are still OK and I suppose it will just have to stay that way. Forgot to take photo of this whilst the headlamp was out.

This is under the N/S rear light cluster.


O/S front sill. Looks like someone jacked it up and crushed it.


O/S rear sill. Has been patched. Only repair I could find.


Couple of general pictures.


Basically, it is fine! Some parts of the sill join are a bit crispy and could need attention in the future, but I have to expect that.

Had an MOT this morning and it failed due to brake efficiency being too low at 40%. Otherwise fine, which is actually great news I think! So, what to do? As it is a general issue and not a balance issue are we talking new brake fluid? Not sure what else to do to it. I've got 10 days for a partial retest fee. Have time today and tomorrow to do something. I actually thought the brakes were fine. Pretty sure servo is working for me.

As an aside, I removed the broken rear brake compensator spring completely as I meant to replace it with one I know I've got in the garage, but forgot. Wasn't mentioned and I'm pretty sure that it is a failure, but it's absence has to be noticed.