General Mark 1 Resto

Currently reading:
General Mark 1 Resto

A quick musing on the parts you need. I may be wrong but I'm pretty certain none of the fire cables will be any good. Rear hinges were still available from Fiat when I got some about a year ago. I'd be willing to bet though that they might be different too. Si's your man to ask on these little bits and bobs.

Question: Does anyone have the Mk 1 Panda parts fiches?

Good luck, it looks really smart.
 
Last edited:
Rear glass and hinge from a MK2 fits ok...

Cheers Kev, that's handy to know.

Had a morning on the car today and swapped the starter motor over.(y) The car now turns over perfectly but still will not fire. That's all I had time for except some more tidying up with some t-cut and 'k' rust.

There were lots of of marks and scratches inside the back of the car under the rear window where the back seat has been moved in and out. Out of interest I tried a little wax on the metal and it has taken off the marks and now looks soooo much better.:)

Next time I will check for a spark. However, I think the problem may be the fuel, there is very little in the tank and it is either not getting through or maybe even gone off.

Also on my list for next time are the rear wheel arches. Once sorted they are going to look rather fetching in hammerite grey. I would also like to start spraying the wheels properly too.

My dad popped over today and he knows a bit more about mechanicals than I do. But he thinks for a 27 year old car it is not in too badder a condition and quite solid.

I am feeling much more positive after a couple of days of tinkering, cosmetically the car already looks so much better.

Further updates to follow soon!!!
 

Attachments

  • garaged5.jpg
    garaged5.jpg
    40 KB · Views: 35
A quick musing on the parts you need. I may be wrong but I'm pretty certain none of the fire cables will be any good. Rear hinges were still available from Fiat when I got some about a year ago. I'd be willing to bet though that they might be different too. Si's your man to ask on these little bits and bobs.

Question: Does anyone have the Mk 1 Panda parts fiches?

Good luck, it looks really smart.

Thanks BR, the car is starting to look so much better but the photos are a little flattering at the moment! :D
 
Regarding fuel going off Martin will take years before it's bad enough not to run. I've fuel in the 750L that's been in there over 3 years and it still starts on first turn of the key.

I would think the fuel is ok too. Kev drove it home when he bought it so it hasn't been in there that long. Spark is most likely, I'd check for spark at points first, then go to plugs.

Glad the starter works well, if you can get some brushes for the old one you'd have a spare (y).
 
I put new fuel in so it's not that...I drove it 40/50mls and it ran at errr...sort of 70mph;)..no prob..the brakes were rubbish though..I then ran the car up every few weeks with no prob so it's a bit strange??

Do you mean the inside of the arches??..coz the outside and inside are in good Nick. The car is really solid considering everything. There are the two patches needed in each arch which you can get to inside the car. Don't forget you can get all the important body panels from Hadriains...(y)
 
I put new fuel in so it's not that...I drove it 40/50mls and it ran at errr...sort of 70mph;)..no prob..the brakes were rubbish though..I then ran the car up every few weeks with no prob so it's a bit strange??

Do you mean the inside of the arches??..coz the outside and inside are in good Nick. The car is really solid considering everything. There are the two patches needed in each arch which you can get to inside the car. Don't forget you can get all the important body panels from Hadriains...(y)

Hi Kev,

The arches are very good inside and out except for the two small holes either side behind the back bumper. Being the absolute obsessive that I am, I was going to re-paint the inside of the arches with the original grey. Should look nice and original when done!(y)

Suspect spark is the problem iro starting, just ran out of time last week to sort. Turns over nicely now so should resolve this quite quickly.
 
Last edited:
Had a great day today tinkering! (y)

The car now runs and moves! The front/rear bumpers are off so that I can sort the bodywork.

I continue to be impressed by just how solid the car is despite it's age.:worship:

Absolute result today, thoroughly enjoyable - piccies are attached below.
 

Attachments

  • panda 1.jpg
    panda 1.jpg
    91.8 KB · Views: 70
  • panda 2.jpg
    panda 2.jpg
    66.7 KB · Views: 44
Looks very good Martin, I didn't expect it to be quite that good. I was going to say I've got a new front panel if you need it, but I don't think that will be necessary.
 
Cheers Vernon, aside from a bit of surface rust and some minor filling, I can't see any real issues. The bumpers were an absolute pain to get off! My wool choke is also no more, I have fitted a universal choke which needs cutting down and fitting in the car but at least it works.

Today was a very good day, with lots of progress made.
 
Ah :(, the wool choke was such a unique feature.

Glad you've finally got it running, was it anything specific or just general tuning?

The wool choke (limited to only certain versions of mark 1 Panda - ie. mine) will be on eBay from later today!!!:p

I think the new starter motor and a fully charged battery were the key plus that wonderful carb spray. It fired last week but I really didn't have enough charge to start the car properly and I only really have weekends to work on the car so I ran out of time.

Now it's running, I can do a full service.

Well chuffed, it was a good day yesterday.
 
Last edited:
I know I'm prob bound to say it, but, it really has not been messed about with and for a MK1 it looks very good behind the bumpers etc....the engine bay looks good to I think...(y)

I always think an engine bay is a gradual thing. The more time you spend under the bonnet, the more you wipe down and clean up. I've got some gunk degreaser and it has worked a treat. (y)

The car is very original and I am looking forward to turning some heads when I turn up at meets and shows in 2012!!!(y)
 
Started the car again over the weekend, fired up fairly quickly and idled fairly well but then could not start again from warm.

I just wondered what the main issues would be when a (carb'd) car fails to start from warm?

I have a full service on the cards so will be replacing oil, filters, plugs etc. in due course but would appreciate any thoughts on this warm starting issue.

Cheers

MARTIN
 
Hey, that tailgate looks perfect!! Looking generally pretty good beneath the trim too.

For front panel, the bit to tap around with a screw driver is the bottom lip. Both my mk1's had rotten through there (and had been covered up - admittedly by me for one of them :eek:). If its all metal then get some waxoil in there quick :D

Also regarding the problem when starting from warm, I would say it is choke / carb related. Running too rich when trying to restart, for this you would get a strong smell of fuel coming from the car. Possibly due to sticking choke?

On the other hand, it could also be the idle mixture screw needs turning anti clockwise to richen it up (only at idle); ie when running cold the choke compensates for weak mixture but off choke when warmed up its running too lean.

Just a thought anyway, others have probably imparted more wisdom by the time I reply to this!! lol

All the best!
Si
 
Last edited:
Do Mk1's have electronic ignition? I'm pretty sure they dont, but if they do it could be the module that is breaking down when its warm.

Not saying this one doesnt, but mk1's are all points. If it was running bad all the time then I would blame the points - its always my first port of call lol

I'll keep thinking and maybe ask my dad tomorrow....that is if my memory doesnt fail me!! :eek:

Si
 
Back
Top