Panda (Classic) 1989 Fiat Panda 1000S New Zealand

[homeward]

This is really, really nice... -- I look forward to seeing what you can do to it with a bit of spit and polish! A really nice find...!

PS: I think that's the colour you get when you mix my two Pandas together...!

 

[clowndog]

This is really, really nice... -- I look forward to seeing what you can do to it with a bit of spit and polish! A really nice find...!

PS: I think that's the colour you get when you mix my two Pandas together...!

Haha it is! Maybe someone in the Fiat factory mixed them one day on accident...

Yeah seems in good condition so far, haven't been able to drive it for a few days as the front wiper flung off.. whoops!

Will try and find someway to replace it this weekend.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Looks good. Are there many Classic (or new) Pandas in NZ

 

[clowndog]

Looks good. Are there many Classic (or new) Pandas in NZ

I only know of two classic Panda's including mine. Which will make parts real difficult. Doing my research now so I don't get too stuck...

There are a lot of punto's and new 500's

No new panda's that I've seen.

 

[Dragon Man]

i speak to a friend in Australia, he says that theres the odd panda over there. not too common though.

 

[clowndog]

Balls. Looks like my car does leak or builds up condensation then just drips on the inside.

From your experience where are the most common leaks on a panda?

I thought my Canvas sunroofs were fine as I didn't get any drips when washing the car... but not 100% sure.

Good news I got a replacement wiper blade. Turns out it was just the plastic universal clip that snapped so didn't need a whole new arm thank good ness. I have noticed though that there is significant play in the motor, is this common? Any good fixes?

Cheers again guys.

 

[clowndog]

Oh and another thing, I am going to a wreckers tomorrow and they have a fiat uno 1985 and a fiat punto 1990, are any of the parts interchangeable with the 1989 panda? (So I know what to look out for)

Much appreciated!

 

[purple haze]

Take the engine out the UNO...

 

[firstcar-Y10]

assuming it's a fire engined Uno might be worth pilfering the ignition setup, coil, distributor and wiring between. Uses a breakerless dizzy so no more points.

 

[clowndog]

Ok so finally got the Panda back from the mechanics (two weeks later).

Today is pouring so perfect to sit in the car outside and find where all my leaks are coming from.

There where lots found, main ones where that the doors leaked from behind the card, as you can see I put a plastic bag up to see if it helped re direct the flow.



It did, but then I noticed that the puddle still got bigger in passenger foot area...



So I think there is some water getting under the carpet, and forming a pool.

I've bought some silicone and will look at what rubber seals I need to replace. The sun roofs aren't actually that bad which was a surprise. I have bought some heavy duty weather proofing spray for them.

Will also buy plastic sheeting for inside the doors to direct the water to the drains at the bottom.

Any tips / suggestions?

 

[Giacosa]

Ok so finally got the Panda back from the mechanics (two weeks later).

Today is pouring so perfect to sit in the car outside and find where all my leaks are coming from.

There where lots found, main ones where that the doors leaked from behind the card, as you can see I put a plastic bag up to see if it helped re direct the flow.



It did, but then I noticed that the puddle still got bigger in passenger foot area...



So I think there is some water getting under the carpet, and forming a pool.

I've bought some silicone and will look at what rubber seals I need to replace. The sun roofs aren't actually that bad which was a surprise. I have bought some heavy duty weather proofing spray for them.

Will also buy plastic sheeting for inside the doors to direct the water to the drains at the bottom.

Any tips / suggestions?

When the footwells fill up its often because they are leaking around the windscreen. Pandas are very prone to rust around the bottom of the windscreen and its often hidden behind the rubber seal. Pry up the rubber seal at the bottom of the screen and see if you can see any rust. It usually starts at both ends near the plastic vents. Its a lovely little car though, don't let puddles discourage you

 

[clowndog]

When the footwells fill up its often because they are leaking around the windscreen. Pandas are very prone to rust around the bottom of the windscreen and its often hidden behind the rubber seal. Pry up the rubber seal at the bottom of the screen and see if you can see any rust. It usually starts at both ends near the plastic vents. Its a lovely little car though, don't let puddles discourage you

Thanks for that! Will check tomorrow. Does the rubber just bend up and show the rust or will I need to remove the windscreen?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Thanks for that! Will check tomorrow. Does the rubber just bend up and show the rust or will I need to remove the windscreen?

Ideally removed to get full view of how bad it is and rectify it.

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Hey up mate looks a fab car, very tidy body work - it must be nice to drive about in NZ and have everyone wondering what the heck it is!

 

[clowndog]

Hey up mate looks a fab car, very tidy body work - it must be nice to drive about in NZ and have everyone wondering what the heck it is!

Thanks! I have only been able to drive it for a week so far. Main focus right now is waterproofing it as winter is on it's way. The engine and gearbox seem to be in good condition though, considering it's done 260,000km's

I have had one complement sitting in traffic, so one per week is not a bad ratio.

Oh yeah I also have another problem. I replaced the front wiper arm which is all good now. But when I have it on in the rain the wiper jumps over the bottom of the wind screen each swipe. Which in turn will probably damage the motor or give even more play in the spline.

Any good tips for this?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Does it go off the screen at the other end of the wipe also? Probably just needs reseating further along the spline.

 

[clowndog]

Does it go off the screen at the other end of the wipe also? Probably just needs reseating further along the spline.

I've reseated the wiper, now it hit's over on the other side. But it's not as bad there. I think the motor it self has play because you can wiggle it. The spline itself is good though.

 

[clowndog]

I've worked pretty hard on it today, Pulled up the front carpet to find the insulation / sound deadening stuff was soaked and pretty gross.

So I yanked that out.



I'll replace it with some sound deadening once I know I've properly sorted the leaks.

I couldn't see any rust around the bottom's of the windscreen. But I did find where a major leak was.

Passenger side sill. As you can see below it has rusted out forming a path for the water that comes out of the bottom of the door to flow straight on in to the foot well.



I made a temporary fix with duct tape for now..

Also I lined the doors with plastic sheeting as the water was also getting through under the door card.

 

[clowndog]

Ok some updates finally.

I have removed all the bumpers and gave em a touch up of black.

Naked. (still looks awesome!)


Rear


The rear bumper was a pain to get off but now I know how to do it properly.
I discovered one of the brackets was broken



Removed before


Reshaped it with a vice and hammer:


Now comes the surprise.

I managed to get my hands on this...



Any guesses as to what it is?