Is it only me that thinks that Pandas should be considered classics? Obviously I'm not talking about all Pandas here, but certainly good 4X4 Pandas should be eligible for classic status.

I sent this letter in to Practical Classics magazine today;

Hi there,

I read your magazine every month and it is very enjoyable. You feature a nice mix of cars and articles.

I am writing to you concerning the (lack of) classic status for the Fiat Panda. The Panda has a growing number of enthusiastic owners and although I appreciate that most people view the Panda as just an old car, I feel that this is unfair.

To my mind these cars have all the makings of classics, especially the 4X4 versions. They're easy to maintain for the DIY mechanic, parts supply is currently plentiful and they offer bags of character for a small outlay. They also appear to be slowly appreciating in price, particularly good examples.

So how about a feature on the Fiat Panda 4X4, or at the very least how about including it in your classic cars price guide?

Regards,
Steve

I tried that one with the insurance company (even did the 'theres only 1500 left in the uk and Sandra Howards got one, well, she did then and that I was in the fiat club gb and (a non attending member of the) Niimc) but they where having none of it.

Aparnetly they don't do 'things like Astras and Fiestas' as there too common, of course. Unlike Alan's MX5 which the're happy to cover even thou it's only a 12 year old (juppy is 18) and theres one just like it on every street corner..... :bang:

Lovely, went to frizzell and they gave me fully comp for a hundred and eighty quid (which is nothing for northern ireland!) and have no milage limit or garage issues

I'd love to see a full page spread in Practial Classics so I can go round to Classic and Collectables in Coleraine and gloat, but that would be really really sad... (but I have no shame so )

Jim

Been there done that! I tried everywhere for classic/collectable insurance with no luck at all. For some reason they refuse to take you seriously as soon as you tell them what you drive.

Most insurance companies also refuse to recognise the Mk3 Capri as a classic; despite it being regularly featured in Practical Classics very few will offer a classic policy on one. Plus when I tell them I'm 21, they invariably say that you have to be 25+ for a classic policy, then try to sting me for the full premium (£1000+ unless its Tesco with their ridiculously high young driver excess).

Robbing w***ers.

I recieved a reply today from Practical Classics. They are going to include my letter in next months magazine.

Can anyone remind what the definition is for a car to be called a "classic"?

I thought it had to be 15 years old - but what do I know eh?

I've had classic insurance on my X1/9 since 1999. It was only 12 years old then! It's more down to the model than the age and having an owners club touting for classic insurance certainly helps.....anyway, it can't be that much to insure a Panda can it?

My 1989 Alfa is insured as a classic. There are a number of factors, not just age.

The cost of insurance is irrelevant. It's the status of the car I'm thinking about. Many cars just become old cars and never attain classic status, I think the Panda, certainly the Panda 4X4, deserves more than that.

My 126, which is from 1987 is on a classic insurance policy. Practical classics will probably not consider it classic as they dont really rate Fiats, even though they feature Golfs and 205s which are as new.... Try Classics magazine, they are more down to earth.

I read Classics as well and I know what you mean, they feature more attainable cars.

Steve C said:

I recieved a reply today from Practical Classics. They are going to include my letter in next months magazine.

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It's in the June issue, on the letters page 24 under the heading "Panda is a beautiful species".

So it was you!

Pandas are absolutely a classic. There are so few old cars out there now that we all have loads of money, and a classic is surely a car which people chose to drive instead of a modern car by choice and not because they are skint.

Therefore minis and beetles and 2CV's and of course pandas are classics - how many Fiestas do you see still around that are as old as an early panda? Not a lot.

I saw it too and there are a fair few Fiats in the issue as well

Just bought PC and seen Steve's letter... Steve, you should've mentioned FF in it!

Maybe I should.

So go on folks, get writing! You can contact he chap I was in contact with on [email protected]

The website is http://www.practicalclassics.co.uk/

Was up in Coleraine having a good moan at my insurance company for being mean and not covering juppy. Apparenlty when he turns 20 I'll be in luck as they'll consider him a classic (I'm not sure what they know about what's going to happen in the next 18 mths with the disireablity of pandas that will suddendly make him a classic!)

On the other hand Zurich is doing classic policys from july and they said I might have a hope there.


Jim

I know sum1 said about it being considered a classic being after 15 years old, but i always understood it to be if the vehicle was 25 years old!

Is this true or am i wrong?

I think the 25 years thing comes from the old 'free tax' on a cars 25th birthday making it a classic in the goverments eyes....

Which Labour too off us years ago, ta very much.....


Jim

My Alfa Sprint was on classic insurance and it was 1989. Age doesn't make it a classic.

Steve C said:

My Alfa Sprint was on classic insurance and it was 1989. Age doesn't make it a classic.

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What ever happened to selling the alfa?

(oh and juppys says thanks for the knob!)


Jim