Good evening all,

Well recently I was offered the remainder of a panda 45 for spares, but I have been sent some photo's and it doesn't look completely un-restorable so I now don't know what to do!! The spares from this would help keep my other mk1's going (QingQings cracked headlights could get replaced for one!). On the other hand if I take it on for a restoration project I will be chasing even more mk1 parts not to mention it will need a fair amount of welding.

Bad bits:
It's done something in the region of 95,000 miles and the clutch has gone apparently but still runs ok.
It's been vandalised as some people broke into the lock-up where it is stored.
The gear lever has been "cut" off for some reason Tail lights have been smashed. Also most windows including the super rare opening quarter light windows
Rot around rear suspension mounts ( I haven't seen it yet but pretty sure it's going to be back mount above the shackles)
Good points:
It's probably is in better condition bodywork wise than QingQing was when I first got her but sounds not so good underneath (which is where QQ was pretty good).
Has a nice FIAT sticker all around which I think looks great - going to be hard to keep during a restoration though

Some pictures:




So what to do!? I am so torn, is it time I got a mk1 "2wd" for a change? or do I protect what I already have? :bang:

Si

I would save it, if only for that reg plate!
Such a sad little Panda, how could you walk away from it?

SAVE IT!
Number plate is great i agree

I think if you even bothered posting those pictures, you already know what your heart is telling you to do.
Of course save it!
Although i am not a big fan of mk1's (don't like the rear leaf springs, but love the design), you know that by restoring this, it will put you in the elite of owners of the rare mk1 (twice )
I would not let this one get away. Great find!
I assume the seats are missing as well? can't see them in the picture.

It certainly looks saveable.

If you have the capacity I'd say restore it. If you can't take it on yourself I'd suggest you take the minimum from it for the cars you already have and give someone else the best chance to restore it.

Good job finding it though!

Another X reg!! Has to be saved!!

I know what I should do morally, but it's a gold mine of parts and I already have 2 mk1's and a Marbella that I'm preparing for hillclimbs. I don't really have the time and space is getting a little tight over here too...more like a zoo than a driveway

Maybe I could mothball it until the time is right...

Hmmm there aren't many brown mk1 Pandas about anymore...:devil:

I would have to make copies of the FIAT decals though but that isn't impossible. I made my own versons of ChiChi's red "4x4" side decals without too much trouble before.

Damn it, I'm going to be climbing over rusty pandas on my way to work in the morning aren't I!!

If you make copies of those decals on the mk1 I'd love a set

If Fizzle's interior hadn't been so good she may well have ended up as a brown car!

I think Vernon has a point if you can't face another resto

If you have the dosh spare just stick it in a lockup until you can find a new owner.

Must be worth saving Si
I know u must a loads of Spares from the green panda we broke a few years back

its a no brainer its a mk1 on an x plate and its a daft question to ask on here, I think its become law that you cannot own just one panda so it will be a good start for you when the law is up-dated to say you cannot own just two pandas Vernon is trying to get it pushed through parliament at this very moment

I have a complete set of side windows if you need them.

rustypanda said:

Must be worth saving Si
I know u must a loads of Spares from the green panda we broke a few years back View attachment 109007

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Hi mate, hows life? Yeah that was a most excellent find! Donated it's engine to the Abarth project and lots of fixtures and fittings too. But some things on that car had shotgun holes in

That was such a sad case though, looking over it there wasn't a straight panel on it but rust wise it was probably not too bad before it was trashed.

The more I think about it now the more I realise this one is worth a restoration. I only posted it up because I am so massively swamped with projects at the moment.

urchin said:

its a no brainer its a mk1 on an x plate and its a daft question to ask on here, I think its become law that you cannot own just one panda so it will be a good start for you when the law is up-dated to say you cannot own just two pandas Vernon is trying to get it pushed through parliament at this very moment

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I know it's daft nooow of course ...sometimes it's just good to talk. Also as far as I'm concerned I'm already on 3 Pandas as the Marbella is panda enough for me

This will make it 2 4x4's and 2 2wd's as well so really evens things up :slayer:

Anyway, I need to find a way of getting it to my house now. Time for recovery quotes!! (don't suppose there is a way of convincing the AA it's just broken down...

Will post up a members motors thread when all is sorted

Si

thats good mate you wont regret saving it if I was closer id help you get it home. heres a pic of the mk1 I saved from a scrapyard a few years ago being delivered just to get you in the mood

5 days now since the last post I hope this poor little panda is tucked up in your garage Si

Don't worry, you'll all know when it arrives

Just working out a collection plan at this stage; hoping to get a friend to pick it up for beer and fuel money. Beer after picking it up of course! :devil:

Si

you think we will forget dont you Si

urchin said:

you think we will forget dont you Si

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I'm totally on it! Just shopping around for recovery truck services as my friend cannot help any more

There is a nice clearing on the driveway now too :slayer:

Last taxed in November 1994. I'm not suprised it has that look of Mk1 Pandas that were still around in the early 90s.