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Panda (Classic) Mk1 Panda Madagascar 4x4.

Introduction

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111666854791?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


Picked up the above yesterday after having a good look around it. :)

Big thank you to Ladislav and Lynette for making it such a pleasant transaction, two big Fiat fans! (y) I know they'll be reading this, and once work starts, I'm sure they'll follow with interest.

Here we are safely back at the workshop, Oslo doing the honours yet again with the A frame..........














Ladislav included a few extra spares in the sale as well as the panels in the advert so the Madagascar and oslo were pretty loaded up for the trip home.

The car is very rusty as the pictures show, but as the listing describes, what you can see is all there is. Floorpan, sills, rear seams etc are all good, so apart from the tailgate I have all the panels I need to repair the shell.

I haven't had it running but Ladislav did connect up an external fuel supply and assures me it started up and ran fine, but the main fuel tank will need draining and cleaning. Engine, gearbox and drive train should all be fine at such a low mileage so I'm only expecting to need to work on the brakes and suspension in order to make it mechanically A1. Even in it's current state though you know it's going to be a good un, it just sits so fresh and perky that you can tell the rust does nothing to hide it's potential.

One of the best parts about this little Panda is the interior. Although the car has been off the road for six years now it must have been stored quite well because there is no evidence of damp or wear inside, it should be quite a straightforward job to bring it up to like new.

So there we have it, another Mk1 4x4 joins the gang, never thought I'd have one so am very surprised to be in this position. Nothing will be done to this one or the green Farm find just yet as I have too much to do already, but I'm really looking forward to turning these ugly ducklings into swans.
Are the mk1 4x4's for sale or your own personal use Vernon? ;)

John, talk to me. ;)

If I was only going to have one Panda :)p :ROFLMAO:) it would be a Mk1 4x4, but even if I always have a few I only want one to be a Mk1 4x4. Although I will only be keeping one for myself I do want to restore both, therefore I am looking for someone to commission the restoration of this one. It's not a cheap option for the buyer but is good for the business, and the Panda. On the plus side for the buyer the cost can be spread over a couple of years if necessary.

At the moment I've treated the rusty patches with Awatrol oil to help stop the rot going any further, plus I'm able to keep it in the dry until such a craz*, sorry, discerning person comes along. If I get to a point in the future where I'm looking for something to do and I still have it, then I will just restore it myself and either keep it or sell for what I can get.


I never thought rust would grow in such random places!

Yes it is very odd. All of the important areas are great. Looking at the paint that's flaking around the rust patches there doesn't seem to be a primer coat, Ladislav couldn't see any either, so as soon as the top coat is damaged in any way rust is free to take a hold and run riot. This shell will have to be taken back to bare metal to ensure future rust prevention is done properly otherwise it will continue to blister every time it gets a stone chip.


DVLA recods shows 0 on road and 4 SORN,
Two of sorned ones are on the forum.

Well done Vern! just two more to find.

Well I hope they are still around and save able, and somewhere way up north out of temptations reach. ;)
 
Looking at the paint that's flaking around the rust patches there doesn't seem to be a primer coat,
After I had this nasty accident with trekking 4x4 in November a guy from the insurance company made a paint thickness test with good quallity meter, and on all panels with original paint there were never more than 60um{ micrometers}often between 50-55, that is a thin layer:eek: trekking is rosso corsa 140, so not a metallic, that is why the original paint without clear coat is + - 50% thinner than metallic.
 
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Vernon it was a pleasure meeting you. I`m really glad you bought the Madagascar as this is the best possible outcome for it. At least it will be restored as it should be.
I`ll be keeping an eye on the restoration progress.
 
Vernon it was a pleasure meeting you. I`m really glad you bought the Madagascar as this is the best possible outcome for it. At least it will be restored as it should be.
I`ll be keeping an eye on the restoration progress.

Hi Ladislav, well this is a pleasant surprise!

I'm struggling to leave it alone at the moment but it must be put to side for now.

Best of luck with your projects, and if I come up with any leads for a 5spd gearbox for your Spider I'll be sure to let you know. (y)
 
As far as I can tell it's just the white wheels and stickers.

The 4x4 stickers on the side aren't specifically Madagascar ones as my grey green one had them on and so did Sams white one... So just the back sticker and white wheels? White wheels might have been done post factory as well. Or do we have some brochure photos on the interwebs I wonder...
 
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The 4x4 stickers on the side aren't specifically Madagascar ones as my grey green one had them on and so did Sams white one... So just the back sticker and white wheels? White wheels might have been done post factory as well. Or do we have some brochure photos on the interwebs I wonder...

I did google images on my phone but came up with nothing. When I tried again on the laptop I got this from an eBay listing in 2011.....



Edit: And this is the ebay listing.....
 
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hi, came across this thread, I owned the madagascar for a few years and ladislav and lynette bought it off us. Would be interested to hear if the restoration is on going?

Many thanks ,
R
 
“hi, came across this thread, I owned the madagascar for a few years and ladislav and lynette bought it off us. Would be interested to hear if the restoration is on going? “

Hi, can I call you R?
I still have the Madagascar in pretty much the same state as when I bought it from Ladislav. I have had it running, and it was displayed at the NEC about three years ago.
The restoration is still very much on the cards but at the moment I’m concentrating on cars I want to sell, very frustrating as I really want to get started.
I’d love to hear what you know about it’s history, could you PM me please if you’re happy to help.
 
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