I just wrote an email to Retro Cars magazine regarding their article on the V8 Panda in this months magazine;
In answer to your question "are there any Panda purists out there to offend", I would answer yes, there are plenty.
The original Fiat Panda is a dying breed and is slowly but surely becoming a cult classic to rival the 2CV or Beetle. The Panda 4X4 and some special editions are becoming hard to find in good condition and forums such as www.fiatforum.com have an active and vibrant section with Panda owners dedicated to keeping their cars on the road and in mint, original condition.
However, we'll let you off with this one. Chris Evans' car was obviously ready for the scrapyard in the sky if it was a £30 banger and it's better that it lives on like this. It's just a shame he didn't fit a 2.0 Fiat Twincam engine rather than that 'foreign' Rover V8.
Yours sincerely,
Steven C******
I have a feeling that even if it does get published they will take the ****.
In answer to your question "are there any Panda purists out there to offend", I would answer yes, there are plenty.
The original Fiat Panda is a dying breed and is slowly but surely becoming a cult classic to rival the 2CV or Beetle. The Panda 4X4 and some special editions are becoming hard to find in good condition and forums such as www.fiatforum.com have an active and vibrant section with Panda owners dedicated to keeping their cars on the road and in mint, original condition.
However, we'll let you off with this one. Chris Evans' car was obviously ready for the scrapyard in the sky if it was a £30 banger and it's better that it lives on like this. It's just a shame he didn't fit a 2.0 Fiat Twincam engine rather than that 'foreign' Rover V8.
Yours sincerely,
Steven C******
I have a feeling that even if it does get published they will take the ****.