Panda (Classic) Godiva -- the blue 750L (L is for "Low mileage")

[mark2256]

Congratulations she look a really nice example.

 

[purple haze]

Super cool....750L's look so right..the real meaning of a car for the masses..

 

[VmanC]

Nice one Stephen . She's looking a little better than Betty at the moment, think they're going to get on very nicely.

 

[Dragon Man]

yeah thats nice. well done man. happy you got it

 

[onemanmade]

Wow, just gorgeous! That interior is amazing.

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

A really lovely little car. The interior and the paintwork go brilliantly together too.

 

[homeward]

...and if a door is rotten, what else is?!

In other news, remember that rust I was going to tackle? It's a bit more serious than I thought...

This is from John (yes, another one...), who runs Black Cat:

It's been for its MOT, and for a 23 year old car it's going okay -- life has been kind to it, but 'Fiat problems' have come up! Certainly I think it has been really well looked after, so you haven't been sold a dud by any means....​

Basically, it needs its exhaust patching (which you could tell from the noise she makes...!); new tyres (which I also knew...); but -- as you may have guessed from the quotes above -- the driver's seatbelt mount needs a little bit of welding. (It's obviously caught it from the rusty door...!) cheekylittlescamp: I now empathize, rather than just sympathize....

To be honest, none of this actually fazes me... (although having two cars in a similar state might just -- when VmanC reports back...). It's not actually as bad as I had dreaded; and, as I said to John, I bought this car "to save it"; and to ensure it survives (providing the homewardette doesn't drive it into a tree, of course...).

Echoing something Palio said to me, John sums it up better than I could:

Bearing in mind this is a first car, [this work will] ensure this rare, near pristine and great example has many years left to enjoy. I think it's a great investment, and in 10 years time there really aren't going to be many as good as this anywhere -- certainly not on the road!​

He may be slightly biased, of course: as a restorer of classic Minis. Dan and Binsy (two of his staff: separated in age by almost 50 years!) are currently restoring a Triumph Herald and a Morris Minor, respectively, too!

To that end, whilst Godiva's being fettled, I have decided to replace the springs (which are quite corroded -- but didn't even come up as an advisory...); shocks (which look tatty to me; and the suspension doesn't feel brilliant... -- although I obviously haven't driven a classic Panda for around 25 years...) and bushes. (I may as well go for -- almost literally -- broke!)

If anyone has any recommendations as to brands for the new suspension, please yell now: as I'm getting back to John in the morning.

So: good news and bad news. I now truly feel that I belong here...!

 

[purple haze]

Normal news really.....I would only question the cost of a patch on the exhaust compared to a new item...

Panda exhaust's tend to look good on the outside and rotten on the inside..so if yours needs patching it will need doing again soon.

Good thing is that new exhaust bits are peanuts..

 

[homeward]

Normal news really.....I would only question the cost of a patch on the exhaust compared to a new item...

Panda exhaust's tend to look good on the outside and rotten on the inside..so if yours needs patching it will need doing again soon.

Good thing is that new exhaust bits are peanuts..

Thanks for this!

I must admit that I had already been thinking along these lines, anyway.... Whilst the car is up in the air, it seems a false economy just to patch it... -- especially when compared to the cost of replacing the suspension; not to mention having to rescue the homewardette when the exhaust falls off miles from home....

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Ah looking good, however you want a bit of bad news?

The gear leaver isn't an origional 750L part, that's been changed from probably a 4 speed 1000CL

Glad MOT doesn't sound like anything too major though :slayer:

 

[purple haze]

Being an "H" reg didn't it come with the later gearstick like most pandas of the time?? Sure I'm right.

I have to admit I much prefer the older type and have a spare if needed.

 

[homeward]

The gear leaver isn't an origional 750L part, that's been changed from probably a 4 speed 1000CL

Being an "H" reg didn't it come with the later gearstick like most pandas of the time?? Sure I'm right.

I have to admit I much prefer the older type and have a spare if needed.

Can one or both of you please post piccies...? I'm struggling to find one for reference....

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Being an "H" reg didn't it come with the later gearstick like most pandas of the time?? Sure I'm right.

I have to admit I much prefer the older type and have a spare if needed.

I think the later 750 FIRE & Mania models might have, but those with hammock seats didn't, having checked the reg plates out our H reg is a late May 1991 registration where as Godiva is August 1990 and out 1991 has the same more 'simple' gear stick as in out 1989 750L.

Will have to take a pic for you homeward as haven't got one on the computer I don't think.

 

[homeward]

I think the later 750 FIRE & Mania models might have, but those with hammock seats didn't, having checked the reg plates out our H reg is a late May 1991 registration where as Godiva is August 1990 and out 1991 has the same more 'simple' gear stick as in out 1989 750L.

Will have to take a pic for you homeward as haven't got one on the computer I don't think.

Many thanks...! Although no panic: as the car is remaining hidden in the workshop until the day before the homewardette's big day!

As the rest of the interior is pretty 'mint' (and I'm about as happy using that word as you are with 'stock'...), it would be nice to keep it/put it back to the original... (although purple haze now has the opportunity to murmur something about clocks, of course...).

What I then do about the radio, I don't know... -- although I have just managed to source two brand-new speaker pods from Italy! What these are also filled with will depend on HRH's taste, budget, and my say-so.... But that's a debate for another day...!

 

[purple haze]

Needs the proper one then..glad your right Jon. They look so much better than those big clunky ones. Don't understand how or why someone would bother fitting it..

 

[VmanC]

I can't imagine that anyone would replace the gearstick, but not impossible I guess.

Monroe or Bilstein do good shocks for the Panda, the springs can just be replaced by whatever John can get hold of, I assume you're not looking to lower/stiffen her beyond original.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

We'll let you off on the speakers as they always were an optional extra

Like you say gear stick isn't a biggy ATM, but would be nice to get it back to how it should be at some point

 

[Palio]

homeward What you should do is source a period Fiat Blaupunkt or Grundig radio (we can probably work out which it should be for that year!!) and get it adapted for mp3pod thingys. A good classic radio place will do that.

What I would for HRH do is fit maybe a mk1 Punto head unit and cd changer (should be cheap) which looks right & sounds fairly good but not too obviously modern. Make sure no holes are cut, so it can be taken out again later if need be. If you want a really nice Fiat marked system you won't beat the Clarion fitted to the Coupe with multi changer in the boot - it still sounds great & way better than the expensive Blaupunkt in the Abarth (progress again!!).

What I wouldn't do is fit any flash stuff which looks too new. Realistically you don't need period at this stage as you're not entering concours events at Pebble Beach or Goodwood Revival

 

[homeward]

Monroe or Bilstein do good shocks for the Panda, the springs can just be replaced by whatever John can get hold of, I assume you're not looking to lower/stiffen her beyond original.

Thanks, Vernon -- will pass that on!

No lowering or stiffening around here...* -- rebuilding Godiva's suspension is bad enough, without having to rebuild mine....

*Sorry -- this is bound to end up being quoted back at me, isn't it...?!