Pandas to Pandino 2018

[Squarepegroundhole]

There seems to be a bit of love for these little old Fiats on here so here goes.

 

In June of this year, 3 Pandas set off from the UK (1 french registered Brit) and drove 1000 miles to just east of Milan, Italy to attend a 1 day Panda event. 365 cars was the official number. We saw number plates from Italy, Austria, France, Holland, Switzerland and San Marino. 

 

The cars ranged from the very earliest 1980 Panda 30 (2 cylinder air cooled Fiat 126 engine), through all the years right upto the very latest mk3/4 cars. Fiat turned out with a load of brand new Pandas and journalists from various places (including the UK). Highlights for me were about 5 or 6 early 30's and a single Italia 90 special edition with the original soft toys, awesome! There was also a guy with a 750 Panda on LPG towing a bloody caravan!

 

The whole town just shut down for the day, all the roads were closed so we could have a huge convoy. The locals were amazing, waving and generally being super enthusiastic. The bars in the town put on special measures to cope (but certainly didn't hike their prices). When the mayor of Pandino heard some brits had driven to her town she demanded to be introduced to us, gave us her business card and generally just made us super welcome.

 

My little car, a 94 1000CLX didn't miss a beat. We managed 2700 miles in total after we left the rest of the team and continued on a holiday over the Stelvio Pass and into Austria. The car was unbelievably comfortable, consistently returned over 50mpg and was great fun to drive. It was a truely fantastic experience. The Italians were so unbelievably friendly and treated us brits like lost long relatives. 

 

The event was held in the town of Pandino. The story goes that in 2017, somebody posted a random comment on Facebook saying they were going to drive their Panda to Pandino and did anyone want to join them. Something like 150 cars turned up outside the historic castle in the town. Crazy! 

 

A very small selection of the photos I took. Can't wait for 2019! Hope you enjoy.

[Stanky]

Superb write-up, I'd love to do something like this rather than just fester along in my rut of life! 11/7 for both trip effort and writeup skills

[hairnet]

if we still have it

 

might

 

although will be doing italy and croatia on the bike also

[pompei]

Brilliant. I never knew about this - thanks for posting!

[Squarepegroundhole]

I'm absolutely convinced the RHD steering wheel was the most photographed item at the event!

[Kringle]

Oh yes, this is living the dream good Sir! How long did it take to get there and home? Did you stay at various places en route or was it a dash there and back?

[dollywobbler]

Brill. Big adventures in little cars are always fun.

[Squarepegroundhole]

Oh yes, this is living the dream good Sir! How long did it take to get there and home? Did you stay at various places en route or was it a dash there and back?

 

Day 1: Derby to Dover

Day 2: We met the team for the first time, channel crossing and then to Epernay 190 miles.

Day 3: This was a pretty mega day for us. Got up at stupid o clock and did 500 miles all the way to Pandino through Switzerland and over the Susten Pass. It was the 'scenic' route.

 

We stayed near Pandino with the other classic Panda for 2 nights then we parted company with the others and headed off through northern Italy, Switzerland and into Austria for a weeks hiking holiday (to appease the wife!). Then 3 days to get home through the black forest in Germany. 

 

A truely wonderful experience, everyone should do it. The people really made it though. So overwhelming. I came home completely besotted with Italy and the Panda, so much so, I sold my Hemi Jeep and MX5 as they just seem pointless now!

 

As Mr Dollywobbler says, big trips in small cars are brilliant. 

[Felly Magic]

Where's Richard Gunn when you need him? He has a Bo' Selecta CVT version IIRC

[SRi05]

Those football wheel trims are fucking epic

[Aston Martin]

Not one Parade or Alessi. Ignore the fact that both of mine are broken.

[Squarepegroundhole]

Can tell you pretty categorically there wasn't a single Parade present. Don't recall seeing an Alessi either so clearly you MUST bring one of yours next year!

 

Was the Parade UK market only? 

 

I'm no Facebook fan but there is a group, Pandas to Pandino 2019 for those interested.

[Aston Martin]

Was the Parade UK market only? 

 

I've seen one on German ebay years ago, but it was called something else.