Panda Much weldage needed.

[stephen01]

Don’t wet yourself its no DMC

 

On a day in the past I ventured out at 4.30 of the am to embark on a *epic collection of a £100 pound panda that was many miles away from my location, in fact it was going to be a long haul pulling a trailer at 60 all the way.

 

 

After a sleepless night, one for excitement, one for hoping no one nicked the trailer I had picked up that evening which was on hire I was up and after cooking the wife’s breakfast, got to get in the good books eh?, I was on my way with a flask full of tea and some snacks for the journey.

 

Dragged the trailer off my gravel drive, and hooked it up to the CRV hoping it didn’t blow the rear lights again as it had on the evening I picked it up. All is well and I waved goodbye to my loving supportive wife*

 

Not much to report apart from a quick break at the services where I had something to read.

 

Then back on to the clear roads down to bodmin,

 

 

I passed the cornwall sign at 10:00 am so was making good progress, called the chap, who I’ll call bob as I can’t remember his name,  to say I was close and we agreed to meet at the services. From this point I followed him to the resting place of the panda, this was by far the worst part of the trip. It was nothing short of inches each side as I followed him around tight country roads, Bob told me that I wouldn’t be able to take the trailer the last part of the journey as it was tight and I wouldn’t get down, arrived at the ‘drive’ and did an amazing 6 point turn turning the car and trailer around. Jumped in bobs pickup and went down to view the ‘panda of regret’ as it is now known as. Looking at this amazingly ruler designed car thinking what have I done? Oh bloody hell it’s worse that I thought, how am I going to talk my way out of this with the wife? As I’m a man of my word I signed the V5 and loaded it onto the trailer.

 

Then the worst 5 miles journey back up single track country roads, hoping I didn’t meet anyone. And yep approx. 2 miles in I met a small van, there was no way a trailer reversing expert could have reversed this trailer so there was no way I could have done it. So I waited while the kin gent in the van reversed to the passing point approx. 100 yards up the road. After much 4 wheel tyre smoking up a 12% incline I was back on my way. I genuinely don’t think I would have done it in a FWD, glad I had the 2.2 diesel honda to do the job.

 

Back on normal roads and making good time, looking at the fuel I was averaging 40mpg still more dino juice needed so a quick pit stop and 30 quid later I was back on the road.

 

 

All the way home I had this sad face looking at me all the while thinking how, why, how.

 

 

Got home and plonked it on the drive, glad that the sun would be down by the time the wife would return from work because it doesn’t look ‘as bad’ in the dark.

Returned trailer, back home, 570 miles later it had been a hell of a day!

 

 

It has since sat on the drive while its lowered the property prices at least 6.43% I have also attracted so much pussy it’s untrue, yes it would seem that my cat likes to sit on it.

 

[fatharris]

Excellent thread, how buggered is the Panda?

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[Lord Sterling]

Wow, Stephen, a mighty trip!

 

I might be a bit dim Stephen, but you are from Dudley? (Which is up the road from me) you must have seen a rusty Rover Sterling pottering around at some point.

 

Also, you need to join the MIDLANDSZ MASSIV. We won't stop until we've roped in every Midland Autoshiter into our quant team.

[Split_Pin]

Love the rear ciew mirror picture!

[vulgalour]

They're right stylish little things these, even if this one does look to have delicate sills.  Importantly, it is fitted with one of the best wheel trim designs of ever.

[stephen01]

I'm in Gornal, Lord I've prob seen you kicking about. Tell me more bout this midlands massive..

 

The panda is charming, in a rusty type of way, I should really take a look at it but don't need that disappointment in my life atm..

[garethj]

I can imagine Fiat Pandas being hugely collectable at some point, like Minis and Fiat 500s.  They're a really bold design and usually a cracking drive once you're into its idiosyncrasies.

 

Hopefully, true to form, all this will happen after you've poured huge amounts of time and money into it and then sold it for a tenner.

 

Are they quite difficult to find these days?  Just wondering why you trekked all that way to pick this one up, other than for the hero points, natch.

[Pillock]

The Midlands Massive is a great way to risk your arteries as every stage of every event seems to involve food.

 

Meet at truckers cafe. Have breakfast. Go to action for a Burger. Back to cafe, ooh it's lunchtime.

 

You can also potentially see a familiar grey Saab there sometimes.

[spartacus]

Unless it's completely knackered you won't regret it. I'm with garethj on this, they'll be hugely collectable in the future I think.

[mercrocker]

Well, there are 775 things on EBay called a Fiat Panda and only one proper one and that's a bag of sand. Maybe their time has indeed come round. Looking forward to the rebuild thread/raffle.

[chaseracer]

Stephen, we're off to Cannock auctions* on Saturday 19th for the AS Midlands Massiv XMAS DAY OUT.  See you at the Truckers Rest** on the A5 between 9.30ish and 10.45ish, when we leave for OKSHUN AKSHUN and DETHBURGA***... 

 

 

 

 

*  http://www.cannockmotorauctions.co.uk

** http://www.truckersrest.co.uk

*** 

[thedonkey]

Hmmm being in oldbury i guess i better get in on some midlandz massiv akshun! Met fpb7 a while ago when he bought bx parts from me but unkown to everyone else

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[RoadworkUK]

This has the makings of a top drawer thread. Well up to standard.

 

Excelsior collectionism.

[Lord Sterling]

I'm in Gornal, Lord I've prob seen you kicking about. Tell me more bout this midlands massive..

 

The panda is charming, in a rusty type of way, I should really take a look at it but don't need that disappointment in my life atm..

 

Goral! Lol, I know Gornal, Yowm in Gorul ay' it aar!

 

Hmmm being in oldbury i guess i better get in on some midlandz massiv akshun! Met fpb7 a while ago when he bought bx parts from me but unkown to everyone else

 

Sent from my water bottle using Talkatap

 

 

Midlands Massive, Yes; As Pillock and Chaseracer have alluded to, we are basically a bunch of Midlands based Shite enthusiasts who have decided to meet up every month in Cannock for a munch on DEATHBURGERS, a chinwag about our poor excuses for transport, head over to the Auctions and laugh whilst driveway car dealers as they climb over each other to bid on a poorly Silver Diesel Passat that needs to be pushed into the auction room or pretend they are not there when a nice Rover 45 or rattly Ford Escort appears on the pitch.

 

We're trying to get as many Midlands-based shiters as we can, it's a great little day out and takes out of the routine of life. We are heading to a pre-Christmas auction on the 19th (this coming Saturday) see this thread for details: http://autoshite.com/topic/15037-as-in-the-community-cannock-motor-auctions/page-23, it'll be great to see you and Oldbury-based thedonkey there too.

[taxi paul]

Is the "truckers rest" you meet in on the A5 . The one about a mile away from the m6 junction ,going towards Tamworth? Only asking because in my lorry driving days I used to go to market Bosworth from merkeyside 3 times a week. I used to stop there now and again. I once on a trip to the NEC took my wife there for breakfast. She loved* it. So much so that she reminded me last week of "that fecking awful place" I took her for breakfast once. What do these women want?

[For Fiats Sake]

Congratulations on Panda chod of the highest order!

Is it the 903cc engine?

Any problems hit up the fiat forum classic panda section.

Oh don't dances have the hammock seats in the back too? Epic!

[stephen01]

would love to do the auction this Saturday, we are however *jetting off to Lapland to see santa. for which I could have purchased many many panda's

 

it is the 903 I believe,

[stephen01]

I wanted to start work on this today, you know start cutting out the rust but rain has stopped play. There is a lot of rust, realistically this should probably not see the road again, the rust is pretty bad.

 

look how the floor is not connected to well anything.

 

 

 

ok, this is not pretty and it's not had any mention of rust in the last several MOT's so there can't be much more, right? oh look this looks like it's been 'repaired' before, a quick clean and lick of paint  should see it right again.

 

 

er, hang on it seems it's just been stuck on with a bit of body filler..

 

 

leaving this massive hole! where you can see outside.

 

 

plus other various repairs over the years and it's disheartening, especially as I can't weld! oh yeah I have a mig welder that I got a year or so back but that's as far as my skillz go, I have a few of the necessary tools!

 

I really want to get the car on the road and really don't mind having a crack at the job, Maybe one for the stupid question thread, with my welding skill would it be acceptable to just cut the rot out and plate on top of the good metal, nuch like the repair done on this pic by previous owner? by the seatbelt mount.

 

 

 

[3VOM]

I really want to get the car on the road and really don't mind having a crack at the job, Maybe one for the stupid question thread, with my welding skill would it be acceptable to just cut the rot out and plate on top of the good metal, nuch like the repair done on this pic by previous owner? by the seatbelt mount.

My opinion (FWIW) is that you can plate over but the weld still has to be continuous. Other people and your MOT tester may not share this opinion.

[Vin]

Ooh a Panda 'Dance' - Mk2 (Apr 86 on) bodyshell and suspension but with the earlier 903cc pushrod motor...

 

It's a shame, but that looks like all the usual panda rot spots have been affected...

 

Good luck with it, whatever you decide to do...

[dave21478]

1 - Learn to weld

2 - Fix car

3 - well, there is no 3.

 

This is a good chance to learn a useful skill. While its possible to teach yourself MIG, an hour or two of instruction from someone who knows will help hugely, if you know somebody nearby.

 

Im not really visualising where the stuck on bit was, but the floor and inner sill rot isnt too bad going by the photos. Some flat steel and patience will see it right. You could do it either way....cut the rot right out and but-weld in patches that sit flush - this is harder for a novice, or you can cut out the rot and fit a larger patch over the top. Either way will need continuous welds all the way round for the MOT man, but the second way is easier. Its not likely to be a concourse restoration anyway, so I wouldnt worry too much. If your welding is solid, seam sealer and paint can hide a lot of cosmetic sins.

[jakebullet]

leaving this massive hole! where you can see outside.

 

IMG_5034.JPG

 

plus other various repairs over the years and it's disheartening, especially as I can't weld! oh yeah I have a mig welder that I got a year or so back but that's as far as my skillz go, I have a few of the necessary tools!

 

A hole you can cover with your hand isn't massive. Get on with it lad, you could weld round that before your tea goes cold!

[For Fiats Sake]

Oh dear, how is it in the boot by the wheel arches, sills and near the trailing arms?

 

I had to admit defeat with my first Panda this year, welded patches falling off and inner/outer sills and floor pan rotten, despite looking really good on top.

 

If you do persevere you will find that engine to be hugely entertaining though.

 

By the time you have welded it up you will be an expert so get cracking!

 

Good Luck.

[plasticvandan]

That car will never kiss tarmac again if you can't weld,so I would start practicing

[stephen01]

Sun was out yesterday, so I decided I'd bang a couple of pics of the panda up for spares on a facebook page, a few replies but no bites. unsurprisingly?

 

yesterday I'd have sold it for £100 quid, today I feel like I should invest some time and money into the old girl, both of which I'm lacking!

 

pics of the one side, I cant get to the other side as my neighbours have built a 6ft wall, I assume it's much like this side, fucked.

 

 

 

 

 

so anyone fancy a welding project? tea, biscuits and possibly cake provided.. ha.

[billyboy406v6]

Was the 6ft wall built in response to the arrival of this lovely car ? Have you sourced any repair panels ?

[stephen01]

Was the 6ft wall built in response to the arrival of this lovely car ? Have you sourced any repair panels ?

 

The wall was in fact built after the panda arrived. thing is before the wall went up I was going to scrap it but once the wall went up I thought fuck it.

 

[HillmanImp]

If you think that wall is 6ft I assume you tell the girls you have a 10 inch penis?

[spartacus]

If you didn't move the car while it was being built then it'll have been laid 'overhand' and be unpointed on your side.

Good luck with the Panda, get on top of it or it'll dissolve before your eyes and you'll regret it.

[Skut]

These people still stock panels including outer sills and will post to the UK.   

 

https://www.tarostrade.com/main-catalog/car/fiat-panda-1986-2002-12/page/4

 

Most if not all UK stockists stopped long ago.