Panda (Classic) My Blue clx.

[panda panda]

And that's the reason I want side trims and roof bars, just look great together

BTW I'm still looking for a set/part set of these trims if anyone has some stored, otherwise I will have to cough up for the reproduction ones on ebay

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

I'm pretty sure they are still available for a better price on ebay.it, car looks proper smart by the way, it's like a sisley but without the 4x4 bit

 

[VmanC]

I'm pretty sure they are still available for a better price on ebay.it, car looks proper smart by the way, it's like a sisley but without the 4x4 bit

Thanks, I even had knobbly tyres on it a couple of winters ago.





It's had a few modifications so far, Spax springs (-40mm), Alfa 156 front seats with the panda back seat trimmed to match, and a couple of changes of alloys.........









Mileage is now about 33,000m and it's time for the next set of changes. The wheels started out at 13", the 14" ones in the last pic are now on the blue 4x4 so I'm thinking of now going up to 15" with appropriate sized tyres. I have two styles in mind but will post the results when they're finalised. Shock absorbers need to be uprated too, I have a set of Bilstiens for this, oh and a Y10 anti rollbar. All this is preparation for an engine swap, I have a Mk1 punto 75 engine for this but may change to a 16v if Gavins Panda Project impresses.

 

[VmanC]

13" to 14" and now I will be fitting 15" alloys. Tyre size is pretty critical, and I'm using 5mm spacers on the back, but otherwise they fit a treat.

 

[Didge3]

Looks weird....

 

[homeward]

Looks weird....

I have to agree, I'm afraid.... Sorry.... (Looks like I've suddenly turned into a Panda Purist....) Perhaps I need to see it in the flesh, to appreciate it....

Dare I ask -- and you know what I'm going to say... -- what the ride is like...?

 

[firstcar-Y10]

Yeah, I'm not exactly anti mod but even I reckon they look a bit over rimmed & under tyred. Sorry.

 

[Palio]

Yes I saw a sneak preview of that pic & I don't like it.

Roll on those B alloys - I think they'll look waaayyyy better

 

[pandamaniac]

Vern.
What more can I say but OUCH!
You seem to be going too far off piste for the purists
Dave

 

[JamieK]

They look great Vernon!

 

[VmanC]

Vern.
What more can I say but OUCH!
You seem to be going too far off piste for the purists
Dave

It would seem so.

I would like to have more tyre on the rims myself but anything bigger would need the arches modded to fit, and I don't want to go there because the original paint is so good.

Dare I ask -- and you know what I'm going to say... -- what the ride is like...?

I haven't driven it yet as the rear suspension is off waiting for new trailing arms and shocks. I had decided a while ago that this one was going to be a bit of a racer so am prepared to make some sacrifices toward grip. The trouble is I really like the look of the wheel itself so may well have to let the tiny tyres grow on me unless they don't perform well. I'm not a fan of the Euro look but that seems to be where I'm heading.
I'm looking to have at least 100bhp under the bonnet so grip is a high priority.

The tyres on there are 165/50/15's, they do make 175/50/15's for the smart car so may try them for size if I can get some cheap on eBay.

Roll on those B alloys - I think they'll look waaayyyy better

Well I did try them too, the wheels look better in my opinion but are 1/2" wider still so the tyres look even more stretched! They definately need bigger tyres to look good so I think I'll be saving them for a 4x4. Here they are anyway, Very Euro look!!!

 

[homeward]

I have to say that -- although I'm not convinced aesthetically -- (a) I'm glad there's someone around who is willing (and able) to try such things; and (b) if the objectives are speed and grip, then looks really are secondary....

PS: I do think the second lot of wheels look better... -- I therefore hope you find better-fitting tyres...!

 

[pandamaniac]

Homeward
You have changed your tune haven't you.from a couple of hours ago.

PS: I do think the second lot of wheels look better... -- I therefore hope you find better-fitting tyres...! [/QUOTE]

To be honest I think all of them look nice when they are clean and shiny, and are probably easier to clean on a muddied 4x4
Dave

 

[homeward]

You have changed your tune haven't you.from a couple of hours ago.

Not really....

I said "better"; not "good". And I still am not a fan... (although the second lot is an improvement...). But now VmanC has explained the rationale behind them, I'm a lot more forgiving... -- just wouldn't do this to either Pippin or Betty....

 

[VmanC]

Well I've decided to go with the Bravo wheels as the Barchetta ones are just too big, so I've been cleaning them up ready for powder coating. The rim of a couple of them were pretty chewed but they did come good in the end.



The worst one had deep scratches on the spokes too but they also cleaned up ok. I did leave a small chunk in the rim of that one for the refurbishers to sort, they seem to think it will linish out ok but I had my doubts, we shall see.

 

[VmanC]

Wheels are back!



I've gone for a sparkly silver as I think it will go well with the electric blue of the bodywork. It has quite a large fleck in it verging on metalflake, you should be able to see what I mean more easily by clicking on this picture to enlarge it.......

 

[homeward]

I've gone for a sparkly silver as I think it will go well with the electric blue of the bodywork. It has quite a large fleck in it verging on metalflake...

Seriously sexy...! :yum:

You've had a good day, wheel-wise, haven't you...?!

 

[VmanC]

Seriously sexy...! :yum:

You've had a good day, wheel-wise, haven't you...?!

I have, Betty's are with them now .

It's nice to delegate the work sometimes.

 

[bluejohn125]

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....