Here's a link to what is now my Panda, but a previous owners site.
I hope to update it when I eventually get round to downloading the latest photos.
Since this was produced it has had central locking, electric windows, piper cam and a few other things done to it.

The site is http://www.thomassoft.com/PandaPower

Next on the list? maybe a topless panda. Anyone done this, I can do with some tips.

Russ

Nearest easy thing to topless is the twin rag top version - it's very nice this weather, but I'm beginning to worry about my bald spot

If you wanted to make it a true cabriolet you'd have to do some serious structural mods to get the strength and rigidity in the floorpan and sills which the roof normally provides: the roof is a serious structural part of a relatively flimsy car.

I had a quick search, but couldn't find one

Thanks John.
I know about the bald batch. Just had a haircut to "open the sunroof" and now have to wear a hat! Defeats the object really.
Anyway, a twin rag top is always possibility, I'm sure I've seen a cabrio but can't remember where. (Another of those senior moments!) France??, Spain??? I bet they're 10 a Lira in Italy. Thats it! I saw a pale blue Mk1 on eBay recently that had a golfing buggy type of top and cut away doors. Maybe they'd been welded in for extra strengh, did anyone else see it?
As always, any ideas on this always welcome.
Keep on Pandering

Russ

Hi Russ

my senior moments are getting worse too

I don't recall ever seeing a cabrio - but the twin rag top is one of the standard model range: I drive one at the moment

I did wonder if I'd seen a kit car based on a Panda, but couldn't find anything with a quick search.

Problem with a true cabrio, in the home-made sense, is keeping the usual British weather out - it's just about OK with the rag top as it unclips and flops forward in one push ( but wraps up neater if you're going far, or fast(ish), but takes maybe a minute to do ).

If you were going to chop a standard Panda I'm sure it would need a lot of metal added to the bottom so that the doors would close again if you opened them both at the same time [:0] Or as you say welding the bottom of the doors in would stiffen it a bit, but there's not much metal in the doors - and solid, non rusty doors are quite rare....

I bet it would frighten the insurance people too [!]


Regards


John H

I'll try again now its a couple of months on.
Has anyone converted a Panda?
I'd really like a full soft top and will have the time to do it soon, so any advice or ideas will be more than welcome.


Russ

hi russ so its your site now i found that site ages ago looked abandond.
when are you going to finish the site
your site is very good with the step by step guide
i have a panda 4x4 sisley
i would like to know more about the tacho, need one

i have seen a twin rag top for £550 local (liverpool)
and a pickup but not a full soft top!
so i cant help you there

just thought have you spoke to pandaman he may know!!!

Sorry for the delay in replying, just got back from a month in Australia[8D][8D][8D]....
Very strange, no fiats over there!!!!!!!
The site you looked at is one from a previous owner who did all of the work. I'm not able to do anything myself.
The tacho/ rev counter is mounted on the right hand side of the dash, just in front of the fresh air intake, on a metal stalk.
I don't know how it was done, but it is very useful and being electric, accurate. You can probably pick one up from need for speed or similar, around £40-50.
A local friend of mine made a Panda pickup out of a 4X4 for use on his farm. I asked him about doing a convertable, but he wants about £1500 to do it and thats without the canvas etc.
Oh well, come the big lottery win
Happy Pandering

Originally posted by sixwheeledbeast
hi russ so its your site now i found that site ages ago looked abandond.
when are you going to finish the site
your site is very good with the step by step guide
i have a panda 4x4 sisley
i would like to know more about the tacho, need one

i have seen a twin rag top for £550 local (liverpool)
and a pickup but not a full soft top!
so i cant help you there

Click to expand...

Russ

Panda looks great, not so sure about chopping it though.
You could try styling in a low 'roll cage' to stop it bending in the middle.

85% of Marea HLX drivers have speeding tickets.... lol they'll have to catch me first.

The time has come!
I've got to sell her
I'm open to offers.
See for sale section.

Russ