Mr FIAT - Your #1 source for vintage car parts
Engine_copy.jpg
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...
aquamarine said:
Oslo is heroic!

Didn't know that about the towing rules - handy that classic Pandas can be used in this way.
Click to expand...

Yep, Alan D did run me through it when I had my Sisley.

You'll find the old school Volvo and Merc estates can tow far more than a modern Merc or Volvo estate for no reasons realistically other than regulations.
 
Last edited:
Most Easterly Pandas said:
Classic Panda as a tow vehicle comes under old regs, what VmanC is doing is perfectly legal regarding weights.
Click to expand...

What are the rules Jon? Presumably there are old & new from what you said? Is there a handy guide somewhere (had a quick google, ooh er missus, but nothing um came up..... ;) ), or do you know? (y)
 
Fiat say 400kg unbraked and 900kg braked for a 4x4, however the train weight of a Panda on the chassis plate under the bonnet is 2100kg, so aslong as the Panda and trailer weigh less than this it is ok in the eyes of the law. So the maximum trailer weight is something around 1300kg, presuming the Panda doing the towing is empty of course.

However, any trailer over 750kg needs to be braked, so therefore A-framing a Panda with another Panda is technically not allowed, but I don't think it is really an issue aslong as you are sensible about it. As Vern has shown a Panda is more than capable.
 
:yeahthat: basically.

Not sure the year, but since the late 90's / early 00's its all changed on what vehicle chassis were stamped with limit wise.

Take my 2008 Bravo for example, about 500kg heavier than the Panda 4x4, 3 times the power, and probably braking capacity also, but can only legally yow 400kg unbraked and 1000kg braked. Only just better than the mk2 4x4s.

Take mk3 Panda though, and its only about 400kg unbraked and 500kg braked iirc. No-where near as good as the older weight limits. As a result a decent modern / new tow car capable of towing another reasonable sized car on a trailer now has to be something silly and big like a Toyota Hilux or Land Rover Defender.
 
jatkinson said:
And the collection Of VmanC`s collection of pandas Grows ..

i think its like smoking for you fella , you just cant stop :p , did you get no strange looks from the old bill as that will of been over weight? ( o god im turning in to peo0)

i have no boubt the progress thread willl be good
Click to expand...


Well it is my job too so I need a turnover of stock. ;)

I don't know the laws regarding towing to be honest but did think that a Panda was bang on the limit as an unbraked trailer. I've had a few Police cars pass me while A framing and none of them have batted an eye.


Oslo is heroic!
Click to expand...

He certainly is! :) After taking us on a 500 mile round trip at the weekend, which included collecting Antonio, today he towed a speed boat to Leicester and brought back just the trailer. :worship:



If any of this ever felt difficult or dangerous I can assure you I would stop doing it, but the truth is Oslo copes really well. Performance is at worst adequate, braking too is always confidence inspiring. Towing the boat trailer with the boat or a Panda body shell strapped to it is almost like driving with nothing at all. The A frame is fine too if you drive sensibly. I was caught out once when the narrow lane I was on suddenly went left immediately after a hump backed bridge, the back end of Oslo was tugged a little sideways before the towed car decided to turn left too. :eek:
There's no doubt that the mods (bigger wheels, Alfa seats, gas flowed head) help, but I'll stop there in case this is sounding like an advert. :p
 
Last edited:
Most Easterly Pandas said:
:yeahthat: basically.

Not sure the year, but since the late 90's / early 00's its all changed on what vehicle chassis were stamped with limit wise.

Take my 2008 Bravo for example, about 500kg heavier than the Panda 4x4, 3 times the power, and probably braking capacity also, but can only legally yow 400kg unbraked and 1000kg braked. Only just better than the mk2 4x4s.

Take mk3 Panda though, and its only about 400kg unbraked and 500kg braked iirc. No-where near as good as the older weight limits. As a result a decent modern / new tow car capable of towing another reasonable sized car on a trailer now has to be something silly and big like a Toyota Hilux or Land Rover Defender.
Click to expand...

VmanC said:
Well I think Antony and Barbara have covered things so far pretty well so here are a couple of my pics to supplement their posts.



And 170 miles later..........



There is also a pile of useful spares, new and second hand, that come with Antonio.
When we first pulled him out of the garage he wanted to only turn right, but with Barbara steering until he was out onto the main road we just managed to coax him into going in the same direction as Oslo. I thought there may be a problem with the suspension at first which would stop us towing him home, hence the AA man, but when we tried towing him with the AA man running alongside he behaved himself and gave us enough confidence to continue.
I think it made the AA man's day as it turned out he did a bit of trials driving and was well aware of the Panda 4x4's capabilities, so to see two together was quite a treat.
Thinking about it now I would say that the problem was caused by a sticking n/s/f caliper that worked free as we towed Antonio out onto the main road.




That's exactly the plan Freddy, if the inspection doesn't show him to be beyond repair. Antony was certainly up for restoring him so I don't think it's the end for this particular Panda just yet.

Great to finally meet you Antony, thank you for all your help today, and offering me the chance to save Antonio. Hope you approve of his name. :worship:

I will start a members motors thread for him soon, but any work will have to wait a while, at least until after the N.E.C.
Click to expand...

You know what, that really doesn't look metallic red to me Vernon, despite what you put in the members car list! :p
 
Remember when towing that old gits like me don't have a problem but anyone who passed their test after 1997 needs to check. (The rule of thumb is that an unbraked trailer is under 750 Kgs as trailer law makes brake compulsory over that weight)

The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.
Licences issued from 19 January 2013

From 19 January 2013, drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:
  • small trailers weighing no more than 750kg
  • trailers weighing more than 750kg, where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than 3,500kg, you’ll have to pass a further test and get B+E entitlement on your licence.
You’ll then be able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg.
Licences held from 1 January 1997

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
  • a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
  • a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)
For anything heavier you need to take a category B+E driving test.

Licences held before 1 January 1997

If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM.
This is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it’s being used on the road.
You also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
 
Alixcompo said:
Remember when towing that old gits like me don't have a problem but anyone who passed their test after 1997 needs to check. (The rule of thumb is that an unbraked trailer is under 750 Kgs as trailer law makes brake compulsory over that weight)

The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.
Licences issued from 19 January 2013

From 19 January 2013, drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:
  • small trailers weighing no more than 750kg
  • trailers weighing more than 750kg, where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than 3,500kg, you’ll have to pass a further test and get B+E entitlement on your licence.
You’ll then be able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg.
Licences held from 1 January 1997

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
  • a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
  • a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)
For anything heavier you need to take a category B+E driving test.

Licences held before 1 January 1997

If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM.
This is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it’s being used on the road.
You also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
Click to expand...

The rule for licences issued after 1997 is pretty silly in my opinion, it is abit like being done for speeding because the top speed of your car is more than the limit.
 
panda1408 said:
The rule for licences issued after 1997 is pretty silly in my opinion, it is abit like being done for speeding because the top speed of your car is more than the limit.
Click to expand...

Tbh it's fairly difficult to brake the post 97 rules in most everyday cars anyway IMO.

Just annoying I've more agricultural experience with tractors and trailers etc and know how to reverse park a trailer and can't legally in certain cases yet those who legally can often don't know how.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

PeterinWales
  • Vehicle
500 (Electric) My 500 electric
Replies
0
Views
188
PeterinWales
PeterinWales
gabor1
  • Vehicle
Seicento My little Seicento <3
Replies
1
Views
129
Pugglt Auld Jock
Pugglt Auld Jock
indalohombre
  • Vehicle
Barchetta My Last car
Replies
3
Views
395
indalohombre
indalohombre
VANZETO
  • Vehicle
Bravo (Classic) My old lady
Replies
17
Views
642
Ryan J
Ryan J
Davidbrandx
  • Vehicle
Panda 2012+ My Panda 4x4
4 5 6
Replies
116
Views
6K
Davidbrandx
Davidbrandx
Back
Top