Well, as you probably gathered, Bob scout and I rescued a rather forlorn Panda today.
It was sat in a hedge, and bound for the scrapyard anytime soon. Apparently it had been condemned by the local Fiat dealer - can't be fixed, too old, and can't get the parts - they then sold a new Panda to them........
Anyway, this morning we set off along with my MOT tester to rescue the Panda. The MOT tested was essential for the cunning plan, as he was legally insured on his trade policy en route to a pre-booked MOT.
So the Panda was folornly sat half in a hedge. I wasn't sure what to expect - I had seen it briefly for a few minutes but could see a lot (due to the hedge, grass, and mud). To be honest I thought it was a CLX - not sure why, but it was so dirty, identifying a Panda was the best I could do.
It had been off the road for 6 months I was told, but we think that was actually about 18 months by the tax & MOT expiry dates.
Do you know what Panda it is yet?
Clearly home to an animal liking straw, pens & pencils, and partial to a cigarette or two (there was a lighter there too) - what a mess.
Now for a Panda consigned to the scrapyard, it started first turn of the key. Sounded a little bag of bolts like, and the engine management light was on, but it moved, and if it could be driven it was a hell of a lot easier than towing!
Ok here are some proper pics as we got it out of the driveway:
Set off for Scout Towers:
It clearly was running ok, as the Sisley was falling behind Bob in the 500C and the scrap Panda!! :bang:
Back at Scout Towers, this is what we had. It looks much better in the photos, it was filthy!
Yes it's a Fizz - I think I missed the faded Fizz logos in the twilight I first saw it in.......
Cleaning on a massive scale started:
It's white
That is 3 hours of cleaning by the way!!
We also fixed (bodged) the broken wiper spline, and adjusted the clutch (so it's now usable).
The engine management light went off when the brakes were used for the first time and the engine then ran sweet as a nut!
The brakes seem fine, the tyres look new. There is no passenger door lock, and various srapes and knocks which have been badly touched in.
It's going to need a lot more cleaning, as it's still filthy.
BUT it looks a really nice little Panda. One owner from new, 50000 miles, not a lot of rust visible (tiny bits on the passenger door, and a little more on the driver's door), but the cills & underneath look good.
No idea what we're going to do with it now. MOT it I guess, to see if anything is needed. Then what?
It was sat in a hedge, and bound for the scrapyard anytime soon. Apparently it had been condemned by the local Fiat dealer - can't be fixed, too old, and can't get the parts - they then sold a new Panda to them........
Anyway, this morning we set off along with my MOT tester to rescue the Panda. The MOT tested was essential for the cunning plan, as he was legally insured on his trade policy en route to a pre-booked MOT.
So the Panda was folornly sat half in a hedge. I wasn't sure what to expect - I had seen it briefly for a few minutes but could see a lot (due to the hedge, grass, and mud). To be honest I thought it was a CLX - not sure why, but it was so dirty, identifying a Panda was the best I could do.
It had been off the road for 6 months I was told, but we think that was actually about 18 months by the tax & MOT expiry dates.
Do you know what Panda it is yet?
Clearly home to an animal liking straw, pens & pencils, and partial to a cigarette or two (there was a lighter there too) - what a mess.
Now for a Panda consigned to the scrapyard, it started first turn of the key. Sounded a little bag of bolts like, and the engine management light was on, but it moved, and if it could be driven it was a hell of a lot easier than towing!
Ok here are some proper pics as we got it out of the driveway:
Set off for Scout Towers:
It clearly was running ok, as the Sisley was falling behind Bob in the 500C and the scrap Panda!! :bang:
Back at Scout Towers, this is what we had. It looks much better in the photos, it was filthy!
Yes it's a Fizz - I think I missed the faded Fizz logos in the twilight I first saw it in.......
Cleaning on a massive scale started:
It's white
That is 3 hours of cleaning by the way!!
We also fixed (bodged) the broken wiper spline, and adjusted the clutch (so it's now usable).
The engine management light went off when the brakes were used for the first time
and the engine then ran sweet as a nut!The brakes seem fine, the tyres look new. There is no passenger door lock, and various srapes and knocks which have been badly touched in.
It's going to need a lot more cleaning, as it's still filthy.
BUT it looks a really nice little Panda. One owner from new, 50000 miles, not a lot of rust visible (tiny bits on the passenger door, and a little more on the driver's door), but the cills & underneath look good.
No idea what we're going to do with it now. MOT it I guess, to see if anything is needed. Then what?
