Fiat Panda 100HP - Electroclash grey

[InitialDave]

redandwhite said:

gutted! are you looking to get another? Have messaged you re the wheels. Thanks

No, I figured I'd try something different, so giving a Renaultsport Twingo a try instead.

I just remembered that I never changed my email setup on my profile, I probably can get to the pm you've sent me this evening, but my username at Gmail may be a better way to get hold of me.

[redandwhite]

InitialDave said:

No, I figured I'd try something different, so giving a Renaultsport Twingo a try instead.

I just remembered that I never changed my email setup on my profile, I probably can get to the pm you've sent me this evening, but my username at Gmail may be a better way to get hold of me.

Ok done.

I have had a few renaultsport (clio's) myself - well recommended

[Shinyfings]

We had the same car with sliver wheels. The family called it bouncer on account of the limited suspension. Brilliant car which came from the owner of an upmarket clothing shop who’s other car was a 911. One of my best car purchases despite being long gone as the toddlers reached and then exceeded 6 foot.

[whytheory]

redandwhite said:

I also on the look out for a set of roof bars (traditional roof rails or the panda roof bars) and a set of spare 14'' wheels

Ah already sold the OEM bars that came on mine, but beware, they are crazy noisy 60mph+

[redandwhite]

Got the panda up on all 4s with the intent of doing a bundle of jobs at the same time (front and rear). In reality these were split over a couple of sessions....

Brake fluid replacement
I previously attempted this and discovered a poorly bleed nipple, so with a replacement in hand i got cracking.

It was looking pretty crusty


gentle persuasion managed to free it up


removing it from the caliper it was clear my replacement wasnt going to work, so back in went the old one


trusty vacuum bleeder


new fluid going in


clutch fluid was also topped up - will be changed in future


I also noticed the scuttle was blocked with leaves and gunk, this was very simple to rectify with a screwdriver and washed through with a hosepipe

[redandwhite]

shortly after the brake fluid replacement, it was clear it was running on 3 and not happy. A broken coil pack was confirmed by moving it along a cylinder, i limped it down to the local car parts place and swapped it over in the car-park

[redandwhite]

when diagnosing the coilpack - i also heard some exhaust blow, looking at the state of the flexi underneath someone had been here before.


i decided to replace the centre section (flexi) - i opted for a Klarius replacement as these are good quality , especially when the cost was only around £20 more than an unknown ebay one.

£100 later i had a shiny new pipe


so with the back end of the panda up in the air, i decided to tackle the exhaust replacement alongside the rear beam / coil spring protection (update to follow on the protection).

the old scabby centre section was removed and the new Klarius centre section offered up, all going well until i came to the lovely welded on studs from downpipe to centre section, they werent long enough to secure onto the centre section. the OEM downpipe flange was ~3mm and the Klarius flange ~7mm meaning there wasnt enough thread to pass through , ignoring the fact they were rusty and past their best.


So i had no option but to drill these out, which took time stepping up from 4mm -- 5.5 -- 6 --8mm in order to fit my replacement M8 bolts.



Happy with the end result though

[redandwhite]

At my last MOT i got an advisory for corrosion on the rear beam and coil springs which is standard fare for any Panda owner.

As it was up in the air for the exhaust replacement i got cracking with this job in parallell

Bottom shock bolts removed to allow the springs to drop out



Gave full access to the rear beam and the chance to protect the springs when off the car


Beam painted and springs refitted (left overnight to dry)


Thats all upto date, been pretty busy in July but thankfully the TODO list is reducing

[CoolHands]

Did you use any particular paint?

[redandwhite]

CoolHands said:

Did you use any particular paint?

This stuff https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-and-body-...

Cleaned the area up with a hand wire brush then applied with a brush. It was a warm day so no issues applying.

[CoolHands]

Thanks. Looks good. I do like these cars, don’t see them about much now.

[redandwhite]

Gave it a quick wash earlier , the benefit of a small car is it’s done and dusted in no time at all.

Edited by redandwhite on Wednesday 3rd August 22:05

[Court_S]

Looks good.

It’s had quite a lot of love, so should be sound for a while now.

[whytheory]

redandwhite said:

Gave it a quick wash earlier , the benefit of a small car is it’s done and dusted in no time at all.

Edited by redandwhite on Wednesday 3rd August 22:05

What have you used to get the arch extensions shiny like that?

Good idea on the beam protection

[redandwhite]

Just some simoniz aerosol I had lying around. I note ally use aerospace 303 which is long lasting

[nismo48]

redandwhite said:

Gave it a quick wash earlier , the benefit of a small car is it’s done and dusted in no time at all.

Edited by redandwhite on Wednesday 3rd August 22:05

Nice 100HP there..hats off for your patience and perseverance!!
Owned a few fiats going back many years, can appreciate the crustyness of various items..

[LoftyUK]

Excellent thread and fab work! I bought a grey 2007 100hp a few weeks back. The rear beams are available for around £130 on eBay (from Poland). They are not 100hp specific but the only difference is you need to weld on a clip for the rear brakes cables given they are discs on the 100hp. The guy I bought mine from had done this and it’s a good yet inexpensive solution.

Mine has a crunchy 3rd gear - syncromesh I assume - but I’m used to it and apparently has got any worse so I’m planning to live with it.

Also got a blowing exhaust at the front pipe. I have a replacement which came with the car but it’s a welded joint with the middle box so I’m getting a garage to do that.

Also re ride, mine is on 50 profile tyres instead of the OE 45. Much cheaper and way more compliant. Lots of people do this judging my forum posts elsewhere.

No complaints from me so far. I’d like to connected my phone to Bluetooth but not figured that out yet. A nice Italian lady says something to me every time I get in!

Great to hear people using / maintaining / enjoying these fantastically simply fun cars!

[df76]

LoftyUK said:

Excellent thread and fab work! I bought a grey 2007 100hp a few weeks back. The rear beams are available for around £130 on eBay (from Poland). They are not 100hp specific but the only difference is you need to weld on a clip for the rear brakes cables given they are discs on the 100hp. The guy I bought mine from had done this and it’s a good yet inexpensive solution.

Mine has a crunchy 3rd gear - syncromesh I assume - but I’m used to it and apparently has got any worse so I’m planning to live with it.

Also got a blowing exhaust at the front pipe. I have a replacement which came with the car but it’s a welded joint with the middle box so I’m getting a garage to do that.

Also re ride, mine is on 50 profile tyres instead of the OE 45. Much cheaper and way more compliant. Lots of people do this judging my forum posts elsewhere.

No complaints from me so far. I’d like to connected my phone to Bluetooth but not figured that out yet. A nice Italian lady says something to me every time I get in!

Great to hear people using / maintaining / enjoying these fantastically simply fun cars!

50 profile tyres are definitely the way forward.

Check the older forums for Bluetooth connection advice.. I can’t recall the solution but was fairly straightforward once you knew the process.

[Rsdop]

Great thread, and useful too! There’s something about these, I’ve wanted one for ages so when this appeared locally this week for £500 spares or repairs I took a gamble and bought it blind. It’s actually much better than expected but I guess worst case scenario it’s probably worth that in parts. Hoping that’s avoidable though and can get it roadworthy!

[df76]

Rsdop said:

Great thread, and useful too! There’s something about these, I’ve wanted one for ages so when this appeared locally this week for £500 spares or repairs I took a gamble and bought it blind. It’s actually much better than expected but I guess worst case scenario it’s probably worth that in parts. Hoping that’s avoidable though and can get it roadworthy!

Got to be worth a punt!