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Panda (Classic) Monica The '88 4x4 Sisley

Introduction

Cameron onemanmade isn't the only member to have brought us a new restoration thread this week, the Northern division also has a new arrival.
As this is an introduction to the car aswell as a progress thread, I'll be taking the story forward from the point where I've started, plus hopefully finding out a bit of her past.

Monica (now named) has been amongst a couple of forum members now, where she has been dry stored for the past few years. David aquamarine got her at first, then she was moved a bit further north to Paul doctyler where she was due for a re-shell into his black 2wd chassis. Paul told me that he currently doesn't have enough time to complete the project, and has his sights on other projects at present, so he asked if I would like to have a go at this one...



As I've only had a brief look over her at present, she is still wearing her coat of storage dust for the pictures...





Paul had been very helpful as always by dragging her out of the store for us to load up.

Originally she was due to be stripped for the drivetrain and running gear plus Sisley specifics for a reshell into a 2wd car as I have said, but we've had a look round her and to be honest I'm happy initially to get her back on the road. The idea of a reshell would be just right for a car like this, but it's something that would take me a long time to get finished - and with the current projects I have on the go it would take even longer!

My idea with Monica is for a basic repair and restore, and a return to the road. Then all being well she will be introducing a new member to our forum in the shape of Sam, our photographer and un-scared Discovery driver from the last Yorkshire weekend, whom most of you met. Sam came along to collect her and have a look with me...







The work required is fairly common Panda stuff.

She doesn't run, Paul suspects an earth fault - I'll get a decent battery and we'll go from there.

Doors... yep need them...





Yes that is expanding foam in the driver's door!

Welding to the footplates inside the doors...



Buff can donate these sections for replacement, his are just fine.

Looking at the sills, they appear to be in fair condition! A little bit of flaking here and there, but solid nonetheless...







Having a quick look round the other usual areas, she seems to be in good condition in all, although I want to get in there with an old screwdriver to make sure...



I'll keep the progress updated as it is made.

The majority of Sisley parts are present on this one, including the roof rack which is rusty but suprisingly solid...



and then there's this, whether it is true or not...



So she's with us now, first target for me is to get her running (after a good wash), so then I don't have to push it in and out of the workshop! Wish me luck, and I will report back :)
Looks like you have been busy andy ! I can get down tue wed thr or Friday after 8 this week of your about
 
Monica was back on the trailer we picked her up on to go up to a local garage for prep for the MOT , the difference is she drove her self on under own power !

This will include welding the sills and repairing / replacing the doors. Getting everything set up and hopefully an MOT.

View attachment 145294View attachment 145295

Wow that was a massive leap forward, well done!
 
Another update - Monica's on the ramps , front brakes now 100% , fuel lines now connected and welding for should start tomorrow. Small patches on the sills and rear corner nothing to major. Replacement doors are also going on soon and we will paint after the MOT. Engine ran with fuel from the tank but the cards need setting up and tweaking
 
Monica's in bits again for new back brakes, still can't believe how well everything comes undone on this car due to how long it's been stood. New handbrake cable installed and exhaust will be replaced this week. Gearbox oil has been replaced aswell. Still awaiting the welding work before the MOT can be done.
 

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Brakes rebuilt but I'm now chasing the brake pipes back towards the master cylinder to find a bit of decent stuff to join to. Full exhaust fitted, although when it came to connecting the back box hanger all was a bit crusty. I've poked about and found plenty more work...
 

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nice work man. never skimp out on brakes..

i have never seen a shiny exhaust on a 4x4 before.. looks.. alien... heh

to be fair, i would not bother connecting on to original pipe.. just run a complete new length of pipe from the rear flexy all the way to the rear brake balance valve thingy next to the master cylinder.

you get so much pipe from off ebay if you get one of those £10 bits with x amount of unions combined.. i did it and was able to re-pipe Talon and Fallout and i originally bought it to run new brake pipes for my cinquecento! so it almost was enough to do 3 cars.. and that also includes mistakes!
 
Well I've got the front to rear brake pipe replaced and working, but I've now discovered that the rear flexi before the rear 'T' piece is blocked. Does anyone know if there flexi pipes are still available?

I've also replaced the rocker gasket on Monica thismorning aswell, so fingers crossed all the oil will now stay within the engine!
 
Thanks all, I've managed to separate the T off the flexi now and got it all cleaned up, man there was some crud in there. I'll take the flexi in next week and get one matched up for the job. I'll post any findings up on here for future reference.
 
I've finished doing the brakes finally so a small test drive was in order!

[ame]http://youtu.be/UoS6gbOER6w[/ame]

Thanks to Cameron @onemanmade for hosting the video :)

It's the first time I've driven her with the new engine and I'm very pleased with it indeed.

Some more jobs to finish before the welding; none of the lights work apart from one headlight on full beam, the radiator is still leaking, the exhaust manifold needs replacing as it's cracked, the fuel and temperature guages don't work and the gear linkage needs sorting as it's impossible tofind the gear you want!
 
I've finished doing the brakes finally so a small test drive was in order!

http://youtu.be/UoS6gbOER6w

Thanks to Cameron @onemanmade for hosting the video :)

It's the first time I've driven her with the new engine and I'm very pleased with it indeed.

Some more jobs to finish before the welding; none of the lights work apart from one headlight on full beam, the radiator is still leaking, the exhaust manifold needs replacing as it's cracked, the fuel and temperature guages don't work and the gear linkage needs sorting as it's impossible tofind the gear you want!

Its wierd how many parallels there are between our two projects, I had lots of lights/electrical difficulties, lots of welding required, my radiator is buggered, my speedo doesnt work (dont know about fuel and temperature) and my gear linkage needs sorted too. (Ive got two bushes for it but not looking forward to attempting it)

We will get there, though it looks as if you are ahead of me!
 
A small update on progress. A fair bit of tin worm has been discovered whilst repairing a small hole in the driver's side sill. The carb has been cleaned out and reset so she now runs much better. It's looking like Buff's radiator will suffice as a replacement along with the exhaust manifold, so barring the doors and paint being done she's not far off at all now.
 

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