General 100hp easy project

[Asa James]

So here goes. I've wanted one of these for a very long time. I loved the basic Pandas when I was an apprentice at Mangoletsi, and when the 100hp's were released I fell in love. One bouncy drive round rural Cheshire and I was hooked. Bear in mind at the time I was driving a 1.3 Vauxhall Nova (and I'd have another, but have you seen the prices!) and there was a lot to compare. Small, fun, nippy, head turning. Fast forward a few years, two more Novas (rot boxes), two cavaliers (reliable, if a little old fashioned), a corolla (boring), mk2 golf GTi (VW couldn't make cars then, still can't now. Awful) and a Merc c200 (lovely car, still got a sick feeling about trading it in) I changed garages, got bored and ended up back where I started earlier this year. And a plan formed.
I started looking a few weeks back, and with some money saved I set myself a £3k budget. Plenty around for that price and less, but all at least 50 miles away. I wanted a grey one, with clean bodywork. Not a big ask I thought. Boy was I wrong.

I drove a 120 mile round trip to view a 90,000 mile, 1 owner, full service history at £2k. When I arrived, there was a dent in the door and the wing, and the front bumper was peppered with stone chips, but it was honest, 90% dealer service history, and drove like a new car. I politely told the seller I would let him know as I was looking at a couple of others. One low mileage sold before I could look, but there was a 54k "mint car" up towards Leeds. Saturday lunch I set off. It wasn't mint. Large dent in the roof, the underside looked like it had been parked in the sea, and it just didn't feel right. I walked away, got in touch with the first one, and asked if he'd take my mechanically good, bodywork bad Merc in part ex. I was only asking £300 for the merc, (I bought it for £400 over two years ago, not bad depreciation!), and that's what he offered. So after a 150 mile round trip to Leeds, I got back in my car and drove back to Mansfield.

£1700, plus the merc got me this.












Inside and out, it's miles better than the low mileage "minter", and on a 70 mile cross country blast home last night, it was perfect. It makes me giggle just to look at it.

 

[Asa James]

Couldn't sleep. Up, dressed, bucket and sponge out.
Few bits that will need attention, the wheels want a refurb, need a couple of tyres on the front, the bumper wants painting and I'm going to let the dent specialist at work look at the door, if it's beyond repair I've sourced a good door from a breakers, just hope the shades match. It's had beam benders left on the headlamps for a while as well, and where it's baked on the plastic it's left a little bit of crazing. It's not bad, and probably not noticeable, but I know it's there and it's going to bug me.
An hour after I started, and it's had a quick wash, didn't really need it but hey, I had to do something!
The paint sparkles well for its age



I've also got the Bluetooth phone paired up, and had a poke around the interior. Disappointed it doesn't have tweeters for the stereo, but it explains the average sound quality. Six months, I'll have a nice build in it, going to avoid a sub for space reasons, and I never like my speakers on show. Easy peasy, right?
One last pic of the Panda, can't wait to get it properly polished. One step at a time haha



And that's it for now, just going to relax and enjoy it for a week or so, then attack it with the remaining budget.
Still can't believe it's mine

 

[Asa James]

And it was all going so well. Smiles per mile. Loving it.

I did say the front bumper wanted painting, right?



Still angry at myself. Pulled forward out of a junction and didn't see the Punto Grande. Clipped his rear wheel, screwed my bumper. Nothing a bit of gaffa tape can't sort for a few days. Any idea what bumpers on these cost?

Never mind, what's done is done. Gave the engine bay a quick clean



Can't wait to get the intake mods sorted. And the exhaust needs sorting, one the bumpers sorted of course.



Bleargh. I have a Mini Cooper tip kicking round the garage, but it's a bit small. I'm going to have to take the plunge and get a system aren't I?



And despite the minor altercation, I've spent £350 on tarty bits. Whoops. List so far includes
-new red badge set
-new "Panda" red badge
-a pair of rainsport 3's
-silver indicator, side repeater and fog lamp bulb
-short tyre valves
-carbon effect key cover (scratched, cheaper than replacing
-rear bumper protector (not convinced yet, but could come in handy)
-Heko wind deflectors
-iPod interface for the stereo

Bodywork next, then suspension and exhaust.

Thoughts?

 

[jrkitching]

Still angry at myself. Pulled forward out of a junction and didn't see the Punto Grande. Clipped his rear wheel, screwed my bumper. Nothing a bit of gaffa tape can't sort for a few days.

Condolences. It's easily done.

Any idea what bumpers on these cost?

Sadly 100HP bumpers are not cheap, nor are they easy to find.

For example, this damaged secondhand one is currently on the 'bay. £400 including delivery and IMO fit only for the scrap bin.

 

[Asa James]

Yup, looked at that. Fortunately I'm lucky (?) enough to work for Fiat, so I've got one on order at £250 inc. vat.

 

[mattyfattyboomboom]

Nice, I'm the same, wanted one since they come out, finally picked one up last end of last year. Mine has plates/dealer stickers from Mangoletsi, I normally bin them off but decided they suit it lol.