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Panda Fiat Panda Alessi

Introduction

Hello everyone!

I thought I'd use this post to introduce myself. I've been looking for a Panda Alessi for about two years now (after getting myself a base spec Panda and really enjoying it).

So finally, I was able to get my self this little beauty. 19k miles on the clock, three owners, great shape.

I've cleaned it up somewhat, gave it a machine polish and some synthetic sealant. I've got a rear window washer to replace and some new number plates in order. I'm trying to keep it as original as possible.

Can't wait to take her out in the sunshine!

I've also included some pics of my other Panda that I've modified somewhat - just for fun.

edit- I should add that I do have the dust caps for the wheels - I've removed them for cleaning in some of the pictures. I'm also looking into having some spares 3D printed for when I inevitably lose one.
Looks nice.

Is the front bumper a "standard" Panda type painted? If its a special for the car, do check the replacement costs. You might be surprised. If it is silly money get a £60 standard bumper painted to suit the car. It will save a fortune when it inevitably takes a thump.
 
I think the bumpers are standard, just white instead of body colour.

The surround around the rear quarter windows would have originally been orange, but fades faster than the rest of the car. Orange seems to soak up the sun's UV and fade as you watch. Mine sits in the sun all day, so is looking sad again.
A few years ago, I spent most of an afternoon peeling the vinyl off the rear quarter windows. They are standard windows, so then are just normal black borders. I think it looks fine, better than faded anyway, and only other Alessi owners will notice.
 
That's a great Panda line-up! Congratulations on the new acquisition, @ALESSI P.

I'm enjoying the Italian motorsport references on your 1.1 Active too! And I'm guessing you're a fan of The Doctor?

Who would have though gold wheels on a pistachio would work? It does though - I like it!

I like the steering wheel and gearknob too. I often wonder about upgrading those on my car, possibly a retrim.

A couple of questions if I may: does the computer (and MoT tester) not mind the absence of an airbag on the wheel? And how did you attach the gearknob to the splined shaft? Did you cut a thread on to it?

Kind regards.
 
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That's a great Panda line-up! Congratulations on the new acquisition, @ALESSI P.

I'm enjoying the Italian motorsport references on your 1.1 Active too! And I'm guessing you're a fan of The Doctor?

Who would have though gold wheels on a pistachio would work? It does though - I like it!

I like the steering wheel and gearknob too. I often wonder about upgrading those on my car, possibly a retrim.

A couple of questions if I may: does the computer (and MoT tester) not mind the absence of an airbag on the wheel? And how did you attach the gearknob to the splined shaft? Did you cut a thread on to it?

Kind regards.

Haha, yeah I love it. As for the gold on green, I was hoping to replicate the Lamborghini Miura colour scheme ? It came out better than expected to be fair.

MoT doesn’t care about the lack of airbags, but you need to ensure that the airbag light it not illuminated. I bridged a resistor in place to do that. If you want a guide, I’m happy to show you.

Gear shifter - I bought a fixing with a thread to put into the pool ball, but the panda doesn’t actually have a thread cut into it. In the end I used some two part resin to keep it in place. It was easier than I’m making it sound.

The steering wheel add a huge amount of character to the car and improved the driving position. However I am very aware that I’m now driving a car in which I removed the airbag.

The tyres were another big upgrade. Went from I think 13 to 14 steel wheels and put a good set of winter tyres on it. Nothing compares in the snow now, it’s a very capable machine
 
The flag of Italy sticker on your light green Panda is misapplied in the wrong direction. The red part of Italy's flag must always be on the right-side of the flag.
 
That really looks good, so what size engine do they have and how rare are they in the UK?
 
That really looks good, so what size engine do they have and how rare are they in the UK?

I'm guessing you are asking about the Alessi.

It was a special edition based on the 1.2 Eleganza, and is registered as an Eleganza. So a 1.2 60hp, but the higher spec of Eleganza, with remote central locking, rear head restraints, and auto climate control, but no alloys, as it used steel wheels to allow the Alessi wheeltrims.

There were three colours available, orange, lime green, and black. Total less than 100 in the Uk, in early 2006, so significantly fewer now. Most were orange.

Orange cars have orange seats and inner door trims, Green and black have lime green interiors.
 
I'm guessing you are asking about the Alessi.

It was a special edition based on the 1.2 Eleganza, and is registered as an Eleganza. So a 1.2 60hp, but the higher spec of Eleganza, with remote central locking, rear head restraints, and auto climate control, but no alloys, as it used steel wheels to allow the Alessi wheeltrims.

There were three colours available, orange, lime green, and black. Total less than 100 in the Uk, in early 2006, so significantly fewer now. Most were orange.

Orange cars have orange seats and inner door trims, Green and black have lime green interiors.

Ha. I always suspected it. I just looked at your profile and find you are just a mere lad! Only 63... just a boy! Luck young chap. Only saying as I hit 64 today and found out.... No she doesn,t still need me when I'm 64. She did still feed me though.
 
I'm guessing you are asking about the Alessi.

It was a special edition based on the 1.2 Eleganza, and is registered as an Eleganza. So a 1.2 60hp, but the higher spec of Eleganza, with remote central locking, rear head restraints, and auto climate control, but no alloys, as it used steel wheels to allow the Alessi wheeltrims.

There were three colours available, orange, lime green, and black. Total less than 100 in the Uk, in early 2006, so significantly fewer now. Most were orange.

Orange cars have orange seats and inner door trims, Green and black have lime green interiors.

Yes it was the Alessi, have seen the pics of the other colours, They all look good as well and I do like green, but guess they are all hard to find a good one when you think they are all 15 years old.
 
I love the Alessi's! So funky, so Italian. I've never seen one in person, so that's a proper rare care you have there!
 
Loving your cars and by the way really enjoyed your posts on Pistonheads too. Your first car partly started me looking for one myself.
 
ALesi definitely the funkiest Panda
Thats going to look incredible on the road. Grat job
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To solve the fading orange, you could replace the rear 1/4 windows with the dark tinted 100HP items. Or just get some clear wrap film printed to match the body paint so you could peel it off and apply a new one as it fades.
 
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