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Engine_copy.jpg

Panda (Classic) My 88 Sisely.

Overview Gallery Discussion

Introduction

Well here’s my Panda (Holly) I saved from the scrap-yard, thanks to a post in Auction watch by Si (Pandamonius Maximus). It’s been sprayed matt black and the front suspension’s been raised / bodged up ridiculously. I’m hoping to re-spray it its original maroon eventually but get the running gear and any welding sorted first.

In_Garage_copy.jpg


Interior_copy.jpg


Mileage_copy.jpg


It seems to be pretty solid and everything’s there even a passable parcel shelf.

Parcel_Shelf_copy.jpg


Here's the front strut with the makeshift spacer

Strut_Spacer_copy.jpg


Engine_copy.jpg


Now I’ve made a start I’ve made a preliminary list of what I’m going to need to get me moving, most of which I think will be new parts but some I’ve managed to pick up second hand from members on here, Thanks to Purple Haze, Aquamarine and the Fiat Forum for help so far.

Front struts
Rear struts
Track rod ends
Outer CV Joint boots
Rear silencer & mounts
Boot strut
Rear light cluster
Rear wiper arm
Front bumper
Click to expand...
Antony said:
Sorry Si, nothing to report at the minute other than a family problem stopped me getting into the garage for the last few months. Got loads of new parts stacked up though and am looking forward to getting back to it.
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No worries, sounds like a good plan anyway. Stock up on parts then blitz the repairs as you have time. (y)

Look forward to the renovation continuing, will keep an eye out for it.

Si
 
Picked up a couple of new front struts for £60 each inc vat from my local motor factors today. Thought that was pretty reasonable. Mind it was my second attempt the first two they got were 2 wd ones with the smaller bolt holes on the bottom. Also got a scuttle panel on order for £76 which isnt so reasonable but there you go. Can hardly wait to get back working on it (Holly) again. :)
 
My new scuttle panel arrived today so no excuse not to make an attempt to get the windscreen out in one piece. Que advice from John (Dragonman) :)

Scuttle.jpg


Here's a photo of the codes sticker just in case they're of some use to someone.

Scuttle_codes.jpg


This is what it's looking like at the moment. I think the bit of pipe is the drain pipe John was on about in his blog. I reckon you could make one by warming up a bit of plastic pipe and glueing it in.

Scuttle_rust.jpg
 
Antony said:
... I think the bit of pipe is the drain pipe John was on about in his blog. I reckon you could make one by warming up a bit of plastic pipe and glueing it in.
Click to expand...

Hmm, not sure what others opinions are here but those little drains are more trouble than good in my opinion. Every panda scuttle panel I've seen rusted has gone in the same place...where these holes are / were. If they can be left out I think it might be better but difficult to say really. There will always be water trapped in the rubber anyway I think.

Does anyone know if Fiat removed these on later pandas anyway or are they present on even the newest?

Looking forward to seeing the cutting and welding (y)

Si
 
pandamonius_maximus said:
Hmm, not sure what others opinions are here but those little drains are more trouble than good in my opinion. Every panda scuttle panel I've seen rusted has gone in the same place...where these holes are / were. If they can be left out I think it might be better but difficult to say really. There will always be water trapped in the rubber anyway I think.

Does anyone know if Fiat removed these on later pandas anyway or are they present on even the newest?

Looking forward to seeing the cutting and welding (y)

Si
Click to expand...

Think you're probably right there mate. I think I may weld up the hole before I fit the panel :)
 
Antony said:
Think you're probably right there mate. I think I may weld up the hole before I fit the panel :)
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Hmm if there is already a hole in the new panel maybe better to put a rubber grommet in instead. Welded metal rusts far faster because it is of poor quality (similar to cast with porosity etc). Sorry to sound like I'm back tracking a bit as a grommet will probably do the same thing a pipe would but my feeling is welding might be worse again.

Perhaps grease the area around the hole and then put the grommet in there? Shouldn't go anywhere.

Again lets see what people think :eek:

Si
 
No rust at all around the grommets on my Sisley, I just had two small areas of rust on both bottom corners which I was able to cut out and replace, the rest was like new.



I think the rust is more likely to start around the outer edge of the rubber where it sits on the body work, water can get underneath there and is held against the paint.
 
Last edited:
panda1408 said:
No rust at all around the grommets on my Sisley, I just had two small areas of rust on both bottom corners which I was able to cut out and replace, the rest was like new.

I think the rust is more likely to start around the outer edge of the rubber where it sits on the body work, water can get underneath there and is held against the paint.
Click to expand...

The plot thickens, might not be as clear cut as the drain holes = bad then. I haven't looked at the Panda 45's windscreen surround yet, that will be interesting to see how it has survived (definitely some rust but no idea of the extent).
 
pandamonius_maximus said:
The plot thickens, might not be as clear cut as the drain holes = bad then. I haven't looked at the Panda 45's windscreen surround yet, that will be interesting to see how it has survived (definitely some rust but no idea of the extent).
Click to expand...

I am in the same boat with my 45, there is some bubbling coming from under the vents so I guess there will be some holes under the rubber, whether they started from the drain holes or not I don't know, and I'm not looking forward to taking the screen out to find out.
 
I started cutting off the front panel today. I've left the front wings on to help me with the alignment of the new front but I've got a couple of new ones which I intend fitting after I've repaired the inner wings. The crash impact damage luckily was above the lower cross member and seems to have only damaged the inner wing. I've cut a section out of that as it was rusty as well.

front_panel_removal.jpg
 
Antony said:
I started cutting off the front panel today. I've left the front wings on to help me with the alignment of the new front but I've got a couple of new ones which I intend fitting after I've repaired the inner wings. The crash impact damage luckily was above the lower cross member and seems to have only damaged the inner wing. I've cut a section out of that as it was rusty as well.
Click to expand...

Arrgh, that brings back memories!! I remember it feeling great (in that the bad bit is being removed) but really depressing that now it's got to be somehow put back together!! When I did it, though the wings were all bent from an old war wound/accident, so I had little to align with :eek:

DSCI1584.JPG


Some encouragement...the after picture:
DSCI2609.JPG


Looking forward to the next update!

Si
 
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