Panda_clx_sr_011.jpg

Panda (Classic) Project Panda-looking Pandas.

Introduction

Ok Gavin here we go ;).

With Gavins (Palio) consent this thread will chart the progress of a little project I'm carrying out for him. It's basically two matching Pandas made to look like Panda bears. These will then be used as company cars by Gavin and his business partner to also promote their new business venture.

Now Gavin is well aware that this could easily turn into being two tacky cartoon style wouldn't be seen dead in cars, so my initial brief stated that my design had to be tasteful and suggest Panda rather than be in your face. Also, there were to be certain engine and interior upgrades to make them more pleasant to live with on a regular basis.

Well I have submitted and had approved a design so it's now full steam ahead with the first car. The basis for this is the white clx I recently picked up from David (Fiat Nutter)............



Second car may be this one that I already had..............



But may not.
Couple more pics.......





Now powder coated white I've got them back to paint the black bits, then it's back to the powder coaters for lacquer.

I'm very jealous, mine are only painted white. :(
 
Currently having some brackets made up for the rotisserie so that I can attach Pandas to it. Once they're ready the underside of this Panda can be tackled. :)

While I'm waiting I thought I'd turn my attention to finishing off the wheels. So far they've been powder coated white but now it's time to mask them up for the black bits. What a long tedious job it is :sleep:



Once the outline is masked up I can then cover the rest of the wheel....



Then paint....



And voila!......



Taking the masking tape off is always the best bit. :)

Then repeat four more times :(

Now they can go back to the refurbishers for the clear lacquer.
 
I've had some adapters made so that a Panda can now be attached to the rotisserie, so starting next week I will be stripping the car down further to make the shell as light as possible before it gets swivelled! :eek:
 
Wow.....loving it...(y)

A bit more surface rust than I thought.

Yeah but mostly solid. It's a good job that most of the front suspension is going to be replaced as that is really corroded. I think the car must have been parked up somewhere very damp, maybe on grass. It's like working on two different cars, when I'm underneath it's like a fifty year old car, but up top and inside it's like the 18,000 miler it is.

There are two small areas that will need welding, the usual inner sill at the back on the n/s, and the inner front wing o/s close to the front bumper nuts.

Sorry to show off the chassis tilter , I'm really spoiling myself there :eek:, but with at least six cars lined up for similar work it will easily pay for itself, and make the task of doing floor pan work alot more pleasant.
 
Wouldn't mind one of those for my Mk1, probably abit too expensive for a 1 off job though:eek: Maybe I could make one:rolleyes: Stll, can't wait to see the finished job on this, I love seeing cars that are as clean on the underside as they are on top(y)

It's not going to be clean! Gavin doesn't like that sort of thing, the engine bay must remain looking well used too. ;)
 
It's not going to be clean! Gavin doesn't like that sort of thing, the engine bay must remain looking well used too. ;)

Oi! Clean & tidy without daft shiny bits that shouldn't be under the bonnet is not the same as well used :p

I do have a pet hate of people putting mirrors under their car to show how they've painted and chromed the underneath tis true. Why anyone thinks no rust & plenty of dark underseal is something to be ashamed of I don't know!

The car will hopefully see plenty of proper driving which is why the arb, strut brace & Pirelli's are going on. Oh and the bigger engine :devil:
 
Oi! Clean & tidy without daft shiny bits that shouldn't be under the bonnet is not the same as well used :p

I do have a pet hate of people putting mirrors under their car to show how they've painted and chromed the underneath tis true. Why anyone thinks no rust & plenty of dark underseal is something to be ashamed of I don't know!

The car will hopefully see plenty of proper driving which is why the arb, strut brace & Pirelli's are going on. Oh and the bigger engine :devil:

its not mate ill never understand that either, I had the suspension powder coated on my cinq and painted under the arches but where it was under sealed from the factory it still is best to leave the OTT stuff to the ford XR3i boys.
 
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