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Panda (Classic) My Blue clx.

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Introduction

Well I didn't realise I'd never started a members motors thread for this one until I couldn't find it! Am starting to get it up together to use again as it's been stored for over a year now I think, but first I'll do a quick re-cap on the story so far.

Bought on ebay in Oct 2009 this was how it looked........



It had 21,000m on the clock and looked as if it had been garaged for all of it's life. The side trim on the front n/s was missing and it drank fuel, but these were the only issues, solved with a new trim and temp sensor unit.

Will continue tomorrow. :sleep:
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Reactions: Most Easterly Pandas, Vaam, homeward and 2 others
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bluejohn125 said:
Well I like the wheels and the refurb is very nice, but I think they will look seriously daft on a boxy little Panda, and a wasted investment in new ultra-low profile tyres if you go through with it...

I think you can get away with 14's on a Panda, but those just seem wrong.

Has your daughter still got the Bravo? These wheels would look fabulous on that....
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Thank you for your comments. Yes Charmain still has the Bravo but she has no real interest in spending money on alloys. They are original fitment on the Bravo so yes I'm sure they'd look great.

165 50's aren't ideal true, I'm going to try 175 55's in the hope that they'll fit as they won't look so small, I have one cheap part worn on its way as a tester. I really like the look of the wheels on this Panda so hope they fit.
 
You seem convinced anyway, even if most others aren't.... They say love is blind, it's something that you clearly want to try so why not...

IMO the rubber-band BTCC Corsa-boy look is just way wrong for the chunky CLX / 4x4 with the roofbars and side protectors, even if you seem to be trying to improve the street performance. I can't imagine any benefit visually or practically in going above 14" and 165 wide, but again I'm sure you've tried most combinations in your time.

We'll see how stubborn / deluded / enlightened you are in good time!!
 
It's important for me to experiment with different styles so I'm prepared to invest some time and money doing that, thanks to eBay this is a lot easier without being too expensive. If I don't like the end result I will sell the wheels and tyres on and try something else, so the experiment will not have cost too much.

Others, like yourself, can look at the results and learn from them without spending a penny, just another service I offer ;)
 
VmanC said:
It's important for me to experiment with different styles so I'm prepared to invest some time and money doing that, thanks to eBay this is a lot easier without being too expensive. If I don't like the end result I will sell the wheels and tyres on and try something else, so the experiment will not have cost too much.

Others, like yourself, can look at the results and learn from them without spending a penny, just another service I offer ;)
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And sometimes :ROFLMAO: - in a caring way - we love your experiments, and once in a while you convert rust into gold :p
 
I haven't commented on the wheels yet as I've been eager to see how it turns out.

I don't mind the size, I'm all for filling the arches in, the design is taking some getting used to on a Panda though.

I'm glad you're trying something different though Vernon, I'm sure that as many that don't like the look there will be plenty that do.

This is just the kind of 'mod' that will get a new generation interested in the Panda, without them to take over ownership of these cars as running examples into the future, a handful of over polished museum pieces will be all that remains of the breed.

I'm regretting passing up those 15" Lancia alloys now as the 14's look so good on the car, I just didn't have the courage or the budget to be a Panda Pioneer like you!

I'm really looking forward to seeing this in real life, I'll reserve my final judgement until then, I hope will you be bringing the car with these wheels to a show near me soon. :)
 
Well with Castle Combe this weekend and Stanford Hall next I was keen to try and get the clx road ready as I don't have much to show at the moment. :eek:

So to get him roadworthy and fit some long planned mods I've been fitting new trailing arms and Bilstein shocks at the back...........



Also a rear exhaust tailpipe and trim..............



And of course, those controversial wheels and tyres :p.......




It also went in for it's mot today and passed! :D Now taxed too.

Tomorrow I hope to find time to fit the front Bilsteins.
 
VmanC said:
Certainly! You can drive if you like (y)
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You're a brave man: putting your life/car in my hands (again)! ;)

Panda Mo said:
Well I had to collect it from the MOT garage today and
Deliver it to Vernon's workshop and I was very impressed
with the way it handled. It was a joy to drive!
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I take this as high recommendation, indeed... -- especially as it comes from someone who now drives my favourite kind of Panda! (y)
 




New shocks are on, and while I was at it, purists look away now!

I cut a coil off the front spax springs. :eek: It's made little difference as it happens but I think it sits more evenly and drives just the same.

While I was at the front I finally renewed the scuffed front bumper, The damage was there before I bought the car so it's removal was well overdue.
 
On Saturday I was able to take the clx around Castle Combe racing circuit to see what the mods on the suspension, wheels and tyres would do for grip and handling.

The four laps were behind a pace car, other cars on the session were distinctly more sporty so the pace was more than fast enough to be a real test :). I think the Panda cornered really well and could easily handle a more powerful engine without further mods. whilst I was able to keep up in the corners I was left wanting on the straights, a 16v engine would have made all the difference. Also, when coming out of the corners in third gear I found I needed more power then too, the acceleration was just too leisurely. I did try second gear once but found I very quickly hit the rev limiter and the power died. Not sure if the rev limiter is electrical or mechanical but it worked only too well :(.

The ride on normal roads is still very good, well as good as a Panda gets, the fact that all the bushes are new too gives the suspension a tightness that adds just as much as the springs and shocks. Everything is now ready for more power but I'm not sure when that will happen as I have other priorities, but I hope I can do something reasonably soon.

 
VmanC said:
On Saturday I was able to take the clx around Castle Combe racing circuit to see what the mods on the suspension, wheels and tyres would do for grip and handling.

The four laps were behind a pace car, other cars on the session were distinctly more sporty so the pace was more than fast enough to be a real test :). I think the Panda cornered really well and could easily handle a more powerful engine without further mods. whilst I was able to keep up in the corners I was left wanting on the straights, a 16v engine would have made all the difference. Also, when coming out of the corners in third gear I found I needed more power then too, the acceleration was just too leisurely. I did try second gear once but found I very quickly hit the rev limiter and the power died. Not sure if the rev limiter is electrical or mechanical but it worked only too well :(.

The ride on normal roads is still very good, well as good as a Panda gets, the fact that all the bushes are new too gives the suspension a tightness that adds just as much as the springs and shocks. Everything is now ready for more power but I'm not sure when that will happen as I have other priorities, but I hope I can do something reasonably soon.

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And 3 versions of Vernon thrashing his CLX :p





 
VmanC said:
Thanks for the vids Gavin, shame you didn't get me overtaking everyone on the back straight. :p
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Shame I missed this: would be nice to compare to the brand-new (but standard) suspension on Pippin. You'll have to give me a demo, sometime...! :devil:

PS: We've just come back from a night out at the theatre (one of the joys of living near Stratford-upon-Avon, of course... -- very cultured we are, in these 'ere parts, y'know...); and the roads were deserted. Actually didn't break the speed limit at any time, but Mrs homeward commented that, out of the three cars we currently have parked outside, Pippin (which is what we were in...) has the best suspension/ride.... Go Panda! :D
 
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