Panda (Classic) Project Panda-looking Pandas.

[JamieK]

Sorry to hear it won't be completely finished for the NEC.
Looking fantastic though will be worth the wait

 

[onemanmade]

Wheels are like marmite for me, don't know If I like the white and black paint job on the palio alloys or dislike it (not gonna say hate it)

But each to their own and they certainly work with the theme

 

[Palio]

Wheels are like marmite for me, don't know If I like the white and black paint job on the palio alloys or dislike it (not gonna say hate it)

But each to their own and they certainly work with the theme

I know what you mean, but I think they will blend in more when the little bits are back on - doors, bumpers, etc

We went for the Palio alloys as I had loads kicking around (a symptom of owning one of the last Palio's for a number of years, and compulsively hoovering up any that appeared locally) and they are nice and retro. I wouldn't want "bling" alloys, and these can always go back to a traditional colour later - I think they will stay, but have always got those lovely Panda option alloys currently residing on the Super if need be.

 

[Didge3]

I know what you mean, but I think they will blend in more when the little bits are back on - doors, bumpers, etc

We went for the Palio alloys as I had loads kicking around (a symptom of owning one of the last Palio's for a number of years, and compulsively hoovering up any that appeared locally) and they are nice and retro. I wouldn't want "bling" alloys, and these can always go back to a traditional colour later - I think they will stay, but have always got those lovely Panda option alloys currently residing on the Super if need be.

They do look a bit odd at the moment but I think it has much to do with the car not having doors etc yet....
I do love 127 palio alloys though and I'm not biased at all!
I think they work perfectly on a Panda, not showy off but compliment them very well.
What are you doing about brakes on Panto? Can't fit much bigger than stock brakes under palio alloys... My calipers only just clear the rim...

 

[homeward]

I too like these wheels... -- and they work perfectly (in my extremely humble estimation...) on Panto! It's going to be a hard Panda to beat (well, apart from Betty, of course...), when it's finished -- and will undoubtedly be a crowd-drawer and -pleaser in its current state.
Palio and VmanC -- I think we will all need a briefing session before the show opens on Friday morning: as I think we'll be spending much of our time discussing this one...!

Early Mk2 with dimples and funny rear seatbelts? What, no dim-dip?! Bah. Pristine, low-mileage Bianca? Ten a penny. A Sisley? Common as muck. Humbug...!

 

[Palio]

I too like these wheels... -- and they work perfectly (in my extremely humble estimation...) on Panto! It's going to be a hard Panda to beat (well, apart from Betty, of course...), when it's finished -- and will undoubtedly be a crowd-drawer and -pleaser in its current state.

Palio and VmanC -- I think we will all need a briefing session before the show opens on Friday morning: as I think we'll be spending much of our time discussing this one...!

Early Mk2 with dimples and funny rear seatbelts? What, no dim-dip?! Bah. Pristine, low-mileage Bianca? Ten a penny. A Sisley? Common as muck. Humbug...!

Is he looking quite complete now? Doors, bumpers, interior, engine......??

 

[homeward]

Is he looking quite complete now? Doors, bumpers, interior, engine......??

I refer the honourable member for Princes Risible to the right honourable member for Droxfiat.... All I can say is that I left just after lunch; and there was much activity happening...! It looks bloody good, though... -- and I almost (sorry, Betty...) envy you your most Panda-est of Pandas...! :slayer:

 

[Palio]

I refer the honourable member for Princes Risible to the right honourable member for Droxfiat.... All I can say is that I left just after lunch; and there was much activity happening...! It looks bloody good, though... -- and I almost (sorry, Betty...) envy you your most Panda-est of Pandas...! :slayer:

:worship: :worship:

Thanks for the update. Vernon was going to send a pic when he got home, but think he's fallen asleep in the workshop! Will have to wait like everyone else.... Ahhhh

 

[onemanmade]

I really like the wheels from the 127 palio, but then again, unlike Didge I am biased

 

[VmanC]

Quick update based around what pics I have..........



Manifold was sent back to John Ashley after the NEC show so that they could ceramic coat it. Due to the coating being slightly thin, and the fact that white wasn't quite as factory as I'd liked, I decided to paint it black. VHT exhaust paint of course........




Other work has been on modifying the heater to clear the inlet manifold. It did mean that the flap to close off the air flow had to go, a small price to pay though, I tend to always have mine open anyway, hope Gavin does .





Before refitting the heater to the car I replaced all of the foam as it was crumbling to nothing. Draught excluder from B&Q does a good job here......



The foam around the screen vents degrades in the same way so this was also replaced with the same draught excluder before refitting........







Nice to have a little more black added to the exterior.

Having the heater and exhaust manifold fitted means that the radiator and cooling hoses can all be mounted. No pics, sorry.

On the inside the Dynamat has been laid on the floor. It didn't need to go into the boot area as Fiat have kindly fitted bitumen pads there already. This turned out to be quite a time consuming job, and also consumed two wallpaper seam rollors.
The Guys a few doors down from me build mega sterio systems and sware by this stuff so I'm looking forward to sampling the results.........





Also, the subframes are built and painted for the front seats so these can go straight in when the time comes.

Tomorrow Panto goes to have a stainless exhaust system built from the manifold back, should be interesting to watch.

This may be a good point to remind everyone that Panto will be at the NEC on 12th & 13th April for the Practical Classics Restoration show, pop along and say hello if you want to see him in the flesh.

 

[purple haze]

Draught excluder.... Hmmm....what a good idea.....

 

[VmanC]

Had the exhaust system made and fitted yesterday. It's a Powerflow system in stainless steel.

I went to a couple of places that do tailored stainless exhaust systems but ended up driving straight past without even going in. They were in very rough looking areas, and the premises themselves were dark and dingy looking with junk everywhere, they did not instill alot of confidence in the work that may be going on there. My place is no operating theatre so maybe I shouldn't have been so judgmental.

I had spoken to one place before going to have a look, they wanted me to leave Panto with them and pick him up next day, I wasn't happy to do this. I wanted to go somewhere where I could stay and watch the work done and express my preferences as it progressed, I knew they existed it was just a matter of finding one locally.

So back to the drawing board and I googled 'stainless exhaust systems' again. This time a new Garage came up, it was one I had heard of before as they are well known as specialist restorers of the Mercedes SL's of the 60's, Known as the Pagoda due to the dip in the roof of the hardtop.

They were about 15 miles from home and therefore just over 30 from the workshop, so a comfortable A frame distance.

They had only taken on the 'Powerflow' franchise a month ago which is why they hadn't shown up before.

Anyway, this is what I had done :-

Before they started.....



Front silencer lined up........



Rear silencer lined up........



Everyone says that stainless systems are always louder than you want so I opted for two silencers to make sure the system was as quiet as possible. Also, the front silencer can be swapped for a cat if there are any issues at future mot's, I had a join put in just after it to make this a simple swap.

The pipe between the two silencers follows roughly the route of the normal Panda system..........



When it came to the tailpipe I was stuck with choosing from the stock they had, which wasn't a great deal as they had not long started this venture. Most options were intended for the Subaru brigade, nobody wants a 2" tailpipe these days . In the end I opted for the smallest twin pipe they had......







Can't make my mind up about how it looks but it certainly sounds good .

I haven't tried it under load yet but blipping the throttle from tickover gives a throaty tone that gives the impression of a much larger engine. The battery is on charge tonight and a drivers seat is temporarily fitted, tomorrow will be time for a quick blip around the yard :devil:.

 

[homeward]

When it came to the tailpipe I was stuck with choosing from the stock they had, which wasn't a great deal as they had not long started this venture. Most options were intended for the Subaru brigade, nobody wants a 2" tailpipe these days . In the end I opted for the smallest twin pipe they had......

Can't make my mind up about how it looks but it certainly sounds good .

I haven't tried it under load yet but blipping the throttle from tickover gives a throaty tone that gives the impression of a much larger engine. The battery is on charge tonight and a drivers seat is temporarily fitted, tomorrow will be time for a quick blip around the yard :devil:.

That looks a quality piece of work; and Palio will just have to tell admirers that you managed to fit a V6 in there...!

 

[purple haze]

That is a thing of beauty...

 

[scout]

The sound will get deeper too, as the system 'beds in'

I'm looking forward to seeing this finished now. :thumbup:

 

[VmanC]

The sound will get deeper too, as the system 'beds in'

I'm looking forward to seeing this finished now. :thumbup:

That's good to know.

Forgot to mention, the two Guys that were involved with making the exhaust asked lots of questions and by the time the exhaust was finished they were both very tempted to buy a Panda.

 

[Palio]

Looking good!

Not keen on the carpet though Vernon, it's a bit "Essex" for me...............

 

[VmanC]

Looking good!

Not keen on the carpet though Vernon, it's a bit "Essex" for me...............

Ok, I'll get some rubber floor mats

 

[purple haze]

Make sure the mats are pink and fluffy...

 

[Palio]

Make sure the mats are pink and fluffy...

Can't be pink, as it will clash with my handbag..........