General Mark 1 Resto

[Pandarus]

Hi all, I am today posting as an official Panda owner once again.

I have been looking for an original low miles car for some time and recently jumped at the chance of buying Kev's 'A' reg mark 1. The car was finally delivered last night, looks nice and solid and after some tlc should be a really impressive example of an early Panda.

To say I am pleased is an absolute understatement, I am looking forward to working on this car and getting her ready for shows and meets in 2012.

The car is currently on my drive and as a non-runner needs pushing up a slight incline to my garage (have you ever tried to push a Panda? It's heavier than you think) before I can make a start.

Big thanks to Kev for the opportunity and huge thanks to Vernon 'VMANC' - the Panda legend for his patience and support, truly one of the nicest enthusiasts I have ever had the pleasure to meet.

Updates and photos to follow very soon

MARTIN aka (officially once again) PANDARUS

 

[rele]

Nice to hear
Good luck with her (officially) Pandarus

 

[purple haze]

Been waiting for your official post..

A reg.....is this the second oldest panda in the uk?

Really looking forward to the resto...so wish I could have kept the car, but, as others know I'm cutting down the collection.

Like Sid the sisley, Lizz the fizz, tonka 4x4 and soon to be another (which one will it be ???) I'm really pleased that the new owners are people like you Martin..

 

[Stuartl]

OOh another MK1, :slayer: looking forward Martin to seeing the photos of it being tended to.

Another one away Kev, the withdrawal symptoms will be settling in soon, don't give in to temptation though, remember, I sold Juppy and ended up with 3 others

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Look forward to seeing the pics Martin. Will have to pop down and see it at some point

 

[pandamonius_maximus]

Cooooool, mk1 owners club? lol

also... its been 13 hours now....WHERE DA PICTURES?!?! :devil:

Si

 

[VmanC]

Finally Martin, you can spill the beans , and thank you for the kind words .
I'd had it at my lockup for a while now so it feels like I've lost one of mine rather than Kev. Still, it does mean that I can start my own MK1's resto that little bit sooner. It's the twin of Martins so I'm looking forward to them coming together at a meet in the not too distant future.

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

Great news No more cold turkey

 

[Pandarus]

Thanks for your words of encouragement!

I emptied the car yesterday of everything but the driver's seat. Next job is to fit a nice shiney starter motor so I can move the car up to the garage. I will then wash and wax the car mainly so I can find the various imperfections and jobs that need doing. I must get the car out of the weather and under cover asap!

I will post an ad in the wanted section, but so far I am after:

A choke cable with cabin fittings (could I use a fire one?)
Rear window latches
Headlining

Please let me know if you can help!


I have never had a project car before. I have always worked on a car that was my daily runner and had the pressures of fixing it to use. So it's nice to have some time to think about what I want to do and take my time about it too.

Pictures will follow asap!

 

[purple haze]

If people do a search on my previous threads then there is lots of pic's of the MK1 ......and yes stu I am feeling very odd about the cars going...especially the next one which goes on Saturday...

 

[Pandarus]

Forgot to add this:

Rear wiper arm
A choke cable with cabin fittings (could I use a fire one?)
Rear window latches
Headlining

Suspect this list will grow!

 

[Blurredman]

PICS!!

 

[Pandarus]

PICS!!

Here's one to keep you going

 

[VmanC]

Nice one Martin, she looks alot happier there than in my shed.

 

[Pandarus]

Nice one Martin, she looks alot happier there than in my shed.

I put a little t-cut on the boot this morning and it has come up a treat. I think there is a shiney little mark one under there somewhere!

I'll be honest, I didn't realise what was involved but the car is basically sound and I think I'm going to enjoy this - even though I am still finding it all a little daunting! The best bit about a resto is that you take the car back to basics and you get to know every inch of the car.

The bumpers will be off next so I can get to the small amount of rot on the arches and at the front of the car.

I have never seen so much flakey paint under a bonnet so that will be off soon, sanded down and re-primed. The paint on top looks fine and should really come up well with a little t-cut and lots of wax.

My dad is car mad, he's coming over on Sunday to help me get the car running - in honesty I won't have a lot of time to spend on her until then so hopefully some major updates and piccies to follow on Sunday evening. As mentioned before, the car desperately needs moving as it is in the way and I have relegated the Golf to the bottom of the ramp!

Also ordered a 'universal' choke kit to replace the temporary fix with wool under the bonnet!

I've got so many bits in my garage now, I have decided with the warmer weather coming that I will store her down the side of the house under a cover and ordered a very reasonable all weather cover from eBay yesterday.

 

[VmanC]

Well Martin, you are really getting into it! new signature and everything .

I thought the same about the flakey paint under the bonnet, I think its reacted to some sort of sound deadening coating underneath, but once stripped off I would imagine there's a good surface there.

Shame you're throwing the wool operated choke, I thought that worked really well .

 

[Giacosa]

the wool operated choke, I thought that worked really well

 

[VmanC]

. Someone had made a temporary choke cable from a length of wool, it may have gone into the passenger compartment originally but now is too short.
Cold start routine is, open bonnet, pull on choke with wool and tie off to something in the engine bay. Start engine and run till warm, release wool.
Simples .

 

[Pandarus]

. Someone had made a temporary choke cable from a length of wool, it may have gone into the passenger compartment originally but now is too short.
Cold start routine is, open bonnet, pull on choke with wool and tie off to something in the engine bay. Start engine and run till warm, release wool.
Simples .

Thanks for the heads up Vernon, could not find it in the Haynes...thought maybe I had bought the limited edition woolly choke version

 

[Pandarus]

Had a 30 minute window today so got the car moved up to the garage and quickly waved a sponge at it.

Set aside a morning tomorrow so further updates to follow then