Jim, i think i can hear ebay calling, go and look at the pandas needing homes 
General Panda based kit car pics a little later than promised...
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General Panda based kit car pics a little later than promised...
christopher watson said:Jim, i think i can hear ebay calling, go and look at the pandas needing homes
No I'm celabrating the 'Saving of the 750'!!!!
Jim
CheeseMaster
Member
I tried out a 4x4 classic panda and found it really really uncomfortable. As an ex classic panda owner ( since what, 15 years ) I was taken aback because I remember the Panda being quite comfortable even on long runs.
Anyhow, wheres a picture of one of these finished rats, and what they are for? What other Panda based kit cars are there?
Anyhow, wheres a picture of one of these finished rats, and what they are for? What other Panda based kit cars are there?
default_user said:
Don't worry that's something you'll get used to, if not a Dr's prescription can sometimes help
Alex B
Member
Alan.D said:It needs to be seen to be believed
i think i did see him last sunday in that red sisley, we flashed (LIGHTS
) and waved like mad men lol i was just going towards skipton. id post it in the spotted section but does anybody ever check?
OP
OP
Well, another day and another bunch of varied and interesting comments.
1986Uno45S
Quite a long and thoughtful post. Thanks for the comments and support. I’m a big fan of all sorts of cars, kits, modified motors, classics etc and dare I say I also own a non standard Chevette? I’ve never been a stickler for originality and like seeing what other people have done to their cars but equally I like seeing old, well restored and maintained cars in their original condition. I’ll cover the parts issue later in this post.
E505jpy
I don’t know if it floats or not. If I ever find myself in the unfortunate predicament of finding out, I’ll let you know.
[ “the rodent of Satan” ]
Now that might make a good bumper sticker…
Cheesemaster
I haven’t got a photo of a complete Rat and so far have been unable to find any. I’m actively looking though and if I find any they’ll be posted on my web page.
Parts:
I'm quite happy to pass on or sell any parts I don't need for the rebuild. Indeed I already have, having sold quite a few parts through eBay last summer when I stripped both vehicles. In my generosity I have even donated the tailgate to christopher watson free for the betterment of his Panda. I still have quite a bit left that I don't need and will gladly help out forum members if I can.
Just some of the parts I have available are (I have also listed this lot in the classified section of the forum but not many people seem to look there):
The original 1986 1.0L engine that was in the kit when I bought it. It has all the ancillaries which are available separately if required except the exhaust manifold. Also, the thermostat housing was damaged on removal from the vehicle so that will require replacement. The engine ran fine when removed from the vehicle but didn't like running on the choke or idling so presumably the Weber carb fitted requires overhaul/tuning.
The gearbox. Nothing wrong with this at all apart from some wear on the linkages. All gears and 4x4 engagement work properly with no grating or other apparent noises.
Some dashboard and interior trim items, can't remember exactly what. From both the 92 and 86 cars.
The original 1986 petrol tank. No leaks or dents but needs new or good replacement rubber hoses. Undersealed along with the rest of the underside when built so in pretty good shape. Tank sender unit present and working and all connections good.
Original 1986 wiper motor and levers in good working order.
The complete (apart from manifold) 1986 exhaust system in one piece. No holes. When I say 1986 in this case I mean for the 1986 model, not that the exhaust itself dates from 1986! I've no idea how old it is but it was good when I removed it.
Interior heater matrix. This is still in the heater housing. All I can say about it at the moment is that it doesn't leak.
The full brake cylinder/servo/fluid container assembly complete with mounting bracket and connecting rod from the 92 car. In good working order.
One headlight in excellent condition. Can't remember which side though.
Both rear light clusters, again in excellent condition.
This is not an exhaustive list but that's probably all the major stuff I won't be needing for the rebuild. Feel free to ask if there's something you need, whether it's on the list or not.
1986Uno45S
Quite a long and thoughtful post. Thanks for the comments and support. I’m a big fan of all sorts of cars, kits, modified motors, classics etc and dare I say I also own a non standard Chevette? I’ve never been a stickler for originality and like seeing what other people have done to their cars but equally I like seeing old, well restored and maintained cars in their original condition. I’ll cover the parts issue later in this post.
E505jpy
I don’t know if it floats or not. If I ever find myself in the unfortunate predicament of finding out, I’ll let you know.
[ “the rodent of Satan” ]
Now that might make a good bumper sticker…
Cheesemaster
I haven’t got a photo of a complete Rat and so far have been unable to find any. I’m actively looking though and if I find any they’ll be posted on my web page.
Parts:
I'm quite happy to pass on or sell any parts I don't need for the rebuild. Indeed I already have, having sold quite a few parts through eBay last summer when I stripped both vehicles. In my generosity I have even donated the tailgate to christopher watson free for the betterment of his Panda. I still have quite a bit left that I don't need and will gladly help out forum members if I can.
Just some of the parts I have available are (I have also listed this lot in the classified section of the forum but not many people seem to look there):
The original 1986 1.0L engine that was in the kit when I bought it. It has all the ancillaries which are available separately if required except the exhaust manifold. Also, the thermostat housing was damaged on removal from the vehicle so that will require replacement. The engine ran fine when removed from the vehicle but didn't like running on the choke or idling so presumably the Weber carb fitted requires overhaul/tuning.
The gearbox. Nothing wrong with this at all apart from some wear on the linkages. All gears and 4x4 engagement work properly with no grating or other apparent noises.
Some dashboard and interior trim items, can't remember exactly what. From both the 92 and 86 cars.
The original 1986 petrol tank. No leaks or dents but needs new or good replacement rubber hoses. Undersealed along with the rest of the underside when built so in pretty good shape. Tank sender unit present and working and all connections good.
Original 1986 wiper motor and levers in good working order.
The complete (apart from manifold) 1986 exhaust system in one piece. No holes. When I say 1986 in this case I mean for the 1986 model, not that the exhaust itself dates from 1986! I've no idea how old it is but it was good when I removed it.
Interior heater matrix. This is still in the heater housing. All I can say about it at the moment is that it doesn't leak.
The full brake cylinder/servo/fluid container assembly complete with mounting bracket and connecting rod from the 92 car. In good working order.
One headlight in excellent condition. Can't remember which side though.
Both rear light clusters, again in excellent condition.
This is not an exhaustive list but that's probably all the major stuff I won't be needing for the rebuild. Feel free to ask if there's something you need, whether it's on the list or not.
I am currently going through 250 odd kit car magazines looking for details of the NCF Road Rat. I have found some stuff, more to follow?
The original demo car was blue 2wd, the second purple 2wd and a third 4wd (your car maybe?). At lauch of summer 1994 they already had 6 orders.
They later replaced it with the nicer looking NCF Torino (panda based).
Which Kit - June 94
cheers Damon
I have found some stuff, more to follow? The original demo car was blue 2wd, the second purple 2wd and a third 4wd (your car maybe?). At lauch of summer 1994 they already had 6 orders.
They later replaced it with the nicer looking NCF Torino (panda based).
Which Kit - June 94
cheers Damon
After seeing that picture, it looks like the designers only had rulers to design it
Yes, I can confirm that this is indeed the ugliest kitcar I've ever had the misfortune to see. Having said that I can see the attraction, I think.
It's look is based on the Hustler by the late great William Towns, and the rat has curves compared to that!
Looking at the pictures, it looks like that blue 'rat' is based on a pre 1986 panda
just realised that its an A reg (probably was one of the earliest pandas around)
just realised that its an A reg (probably was one of the earliest pandas around
)
OP
OP
Damon, that's a fantastic bit of research there! Thanks very much for the information. Don't suppose you'd like to sell me that copy of Which Kit? If not at least I know which one to look for on eBay. I'll try the Which Kit web site but I don't expect they'd have back issues going back that far.
Interestingly enough, when the Rat was launched I actually went to the factory and drove the blue one. Unfortunately I couldn't afford one at the time . I've written to NCF motors requesting info about this kit and am still awaiting a reply...
Interestingly enough, when the Rat was launched I actually went to the factory and drove the blue one. Unfortunately I couldn't afford one at the time
. I've written to NCF motors requesting info about this kit and am still awaiting a reply...It doesnt look very easy to get into.
what!?... is it a brick? or did it have square wheels too?panda-sport said:
anyway the concept makes pretty good sense... in terms of an off road vehicle it has lost an awful lot of the originals weight... should go like a rat out of an aquaduct.
but i have to say it's going to be very unique by default.
OP
OP
Steve said:
You haven't seen enough kit cars then, or you haven't been looking hard enough!
You haven't seen enough kit cars then, or you haven't been looking hard enough!
Dear god....
The unfinished photos are better looking
Jim
The unfinished photos are better looking
Jim
default_user said:
I'll have a think about that, I need to check the rest of the mag to see if there is a metion of my old kit car company. I'll keep checking the rest of my mags, still got Kit Car, Kit Car Builder, Kit Car International and others to go. The Apr 95 issue of Kit Car International has a article on the Torino, but I can't find my copy yet! cheers Damon
OP
OP
Tony M said:
Actually, the space frame is pretty bloody heavy! It's made mostly from heavy gauge 80x40 and 40x40 (from memory, I could be wrong) box section steel, clad with galvanised steel panels. In terms of overall weight, there's not a lot of difference.
It will be very easy to maintain though, and last a hell of a long time.
Actually, the space frame is pretty bloody heavy! It's made mostly from heavy gauge 80x40 and 40x40 (from memory, I could be wrong) box section steel, clad with galvanised steel panels. In terms of overall weight, there's not a lot of difference.
It will be very easy to maintain though, and last a hell of a long time.
Tony M said:
OP
OP
Damon said:
Interesting. Which one would that be? Might I have ever seen you or your product at a trade stand at Newark? I've been attending for many years.
Interesting. Which one would that be? Might I have ever seen you or your product at a trade stand at Newark? I've been attending for many years.
