General Its Empanda, not Panda......

[ferraricheals]

Found this great article on the original Panda 4x4 and thought this comment might elicit a few responses!.................

The name of the Fiat Panda has long been the source of confusion, it wasn’t actually named after those black and white bears from southwest China – it was named for Empanda, the ancient Roman goddess of travelers.

Ciao ciao

 

[gar074]

You may choose to believe that if you wish.

(Apparently they toyed with calling it the Rustica, which, given the propensity of the Mk 1 Panda to biodegrade, would have been highly appropriate )

 

[Goudrons]

I can't believe it took 15 days to design the original.
Did they have to wait a fortnight for the ruler to be delivered?

 

[gar074]

It took them 15 days to work out how to make the hammock seats that uncomfortable.

 

[Goudrons]

I take the p*ss, but I'm allowed because I had one.

A 1990 in red, a dealer special bought new, my first new car.
Was a bit of an oddball as was a 750L with twin sunroofs and as I found out at it's first MOT, LHD headlamps!

4 speed but the gearlever moved like it had a 5th, but obviously there was nothing there, the lever just flopped back.

I did like it, it had more charm than the Uno's I owned before and cleaning it was easy, jetwash inside and out!

 

[jrkitching]

Did they have to wait a fortnight for the ruler to be delivered?

They used the time before the ruler was delivered to make the tooling for the twist beam.

 

[gar074]

I take the p*ss, but I'm allowed because I had one.

A 1990 in red, a dealer special bought new, my first new car.
Was a bit of an oddball as was a 750L with twin sunroofs and as I found out at it's first MOT, LHD headlamps!

4 speed but the gearlever moved like it had a 5th, but obviously there was nothing there, the lever just flopped back.

I did like it, it had more charm than the Uno's I owned before and cleaning it was easy, jetwash inside and out!

We had three - a second-hand 1982 Panda Comfort (ha!) with the legendary bum-numbing hammock seats, and then a new facelift 1000CL (1986) swiftly followed by a second-hand 4x4 (also 1986), which was the pick of the bunch.

Still remember our trip to Rome in the first one, rough camping along the way. My back still hasn't recovered from it (the days behind the wheel were worse than the nights sleeping on the ground...)

 

[Goudrons]

Comfort and CL, you decadent!

 

[gar074]

Calling that car "Comfort" was a classic oxymoron!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

They used the time before the ruler was delivered to make the tooling for the twist beam.

Oh I like that jrk! But, oops, the older cars didn't have a twist beam did they? Mine had an "Omega" U shaped axle and I think the first ones had a simple beam with cart springs, like the Marbella? Sorry if that makes me sound like a "smart arse"? - no offence intended. In fact I rather liked the Omega axle which seemed considerably more robust than the twist beam and the problems it brings with it which we all have to put up with today.

 

[Punto MC]

Love the old Pandas! Years ago i used to get a lift to work by someone who had a 900 'Dance' edition (1992 ish? J reg i think?) I remember the colourful seats and various other bits if i recall. But the main thing as how fun it was scooting along, so basic and fun!