Panda (Classic) Charmanda(er) - mania continued......

So having been amused at everyone guessing who have bought Char' I own up, t'was me

Obviously having just picked up today I don't really have much to say, but I am a happy bunny. I have many plottings going on in my head as to what to do with it - you'll just have to wait and see what happens in the long term, in the short term gonna pretty much leave it and enjoy panda-life for a bit.

Anyway, everyone like pics over waffling...

Got a lift from Simon in exchange for a full tank of fuel (should have half left still i think lol).


Few hours and a pitstop to eat a Subway for brekkie and then.... A wild Charmander appeared




Was not the best weather on the drive back but Char' ran faultlessly


Stopped about halfway home for quick pitstop and to get a pic to share on facebook for all the people guessing what I had bought before it got too dark.



And finally made it home - was mildly amusing getting out the panda to move my alfa forward a touch and practically stamping a hole through the floor cause its such a light pedal compared to the panda.... I hate to think what it would be like going from panda to suzuki as that is way way way lighter pedals than even the alfa.




All 3 fit on the drive, albeit quite close together.. But the garage is empty and Char' will live in there when not being driven - just couldn't be bothered to move all the cars around after being in the car all day.

edit: Just for info in future, links to previous owners
last owner: Didge3 - thread
owner before last: VmanC - thread

OK so first panda related question (I'm sure of many)..

So as Char' is lowered (on Spax springs i see in older threads) - I am wondering if anyone makes shortened shocks for panda's or is it a case of just having decent quality shocks..

And @Didge3 (and i suppose @VmanC) do you know what shocks its on atm? Yes i know i said i wasn't going to anything, I can't help plotting though lol

Please read this
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-clas...r-dampers.html

She's on Spax springs correct and factory shocks, those are pretty old now though and obviously wear faster due to the lowering springs so replacing with new would improve things a bit.
I had in my eBay watch list for around a year a set of Bilsteins Panda shocks that I was going to install when I could afford them

On another note - I'm glad you made it home safe although I didn't doubt Char', she hasn't ever let me down, are you sticking with the name for sure then or is it subject to change? Also it was good to meet you and @buttflap212

Oh the name is defo staying, my avatar and location have changed to suit lol
I'm not keen on the gear knob and been looking at possible a poke-ball one. Am I right in assuming that its not threaded and just has a grub screw holding it on... Or if i take it off will i find a threaded end?

Wow, how did i not see that thread, i did have a search and read a few threads i promise!!

Koni reds are decent enough, had them on other cars before, shame they are only the back ones. Also can't believe I didn't find them shocks as I use that website often - I am infact waiting for springs for another car to arrive from them.

OK, so future plan kinda laid out there, some koni reds on back and some fresh'uns up front, maybe some monroe reflex gas jobbies if they do them, been great on lots of cars

Oh, also I just took the mrs out in Char' to the shops and she really likes it

Your plan for the shocks sounds good to me. As Didge says the shocks fitted at the moment are just standard replacements that I fitted five years ago at the same time as the Spax springs. Details should be in my Charmania thread, which I'm sure you'll have read.

yeah i read it through a while ago, its time for a re-read though for sure!!!

Looking good Chris!

Glad the Mrs. is in agreement of Char's excellence, battery still holding up?
Re: Gear knob, great minds and all I was going to put a Poke ball on at some point but could never find one so intended to buy one of the many cue ball ones and paint it but decided it'd probably end up looking crap so nothing came of it. As for what you will find when you take the current one off I have no idea.... @VmanC ?

Yeah its turned over nice and fast last time i started it - must be just not regular driving. Anyhow - I have a brand spanker battery that i bought for a cinq a while back which I am pretty sure will be fine for a panda if the battery does give up the ghost, shall have to check the CCA of it and stuff just incase.

On the pokeball gear thing, I'm pretty sure the panda will be like the cinq and the handle has to be cut off and so it won't be threaded.. I can find plenty of decent pokeball knobs but they all have a threadin them rather than a grub screw style jobbie to hold it on. I was plotting trying to thread the stick but i just know I will mess it up haha.

It was a long time ago but I think the gear knob is held on by grub screws. Yes the original knob is moulded on to the lever and needs to be cut off. It's not a smooth shaft under the knob so not easy to cut a thread.

Here are the pics I mentioned with different wheels fitted........






And the originals in the same pose......

WOW! Look at that gleaming paint! I needs to get the polish out!! haha

OK it's proving difficult to find a panda_750 script badge of the right style. 'Fiat' & 'fire' badges ordered but need to find a NOS panda_750 one too. If anyone has one or knows of one hit me up please

I'm surprised you managed to find a 'fire' badge as people have had trouble getting them in the past, that's the only reason I included the one that fell off a couple of years ago with the car.