Over 2000 miles, 10 days, 45bhp (when new)

[tommotech]

Great thread, I’ve spent a lot of time driving in France and you are definitely passing through some lovely regions. Fantastic scenery and certainly a different pace to life. 
Enjoy the experience, makes me want a Panda now so I can take part. 

[dollywobbler]

Reminds me of driving my 2CV across western France in 35 degree heat three years ago. Unpleasant! But lovely when your tiny automobile just keeps on going regardless.

[motorpunk]

Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!

Junior 'punk who owns @SmokinWaffle's ROFL Panda would be all over this sort of roadtrip... she still needs to pass her bloody test though...

More pics, please! Have fun!

[Ian_Fearn]

22 hours ago, mat_the_cat said:

I'm sure that a man of your calibre could fit a system I wonder if it was ever a factory option?

It certainly was for Japan but I do wonder if it was locally fitted.

@PhilA re the fan…. Yep, I have one suckered onto the windscreen but all it’s doing it throwing hot air at me! It’s just like having a hair dryer blowing at you on heat.

[Ian_Fearn]

Well unbelievably I’ve made it to Pandino!

The show doesn’t start till tomorrow and the town was pretty dead this evening so I headed to a local pizzeria which was classically Italian and great.

Its been a really tough day today. Set off early from Briancon in baking heat. Drove over the border into Switzerland, got the usual rodding for a Vignette. I then proceeded to spend 2 hours stuck in traffic round Lausanne although the lake is bloody beautiful. The cars radiator fan has been running full tilt all day.

I then drove the Great St Bernard pass over into Italy, which was both fun and spectacular. Something I’ve wanted to do for a few years.

[Jerzy Woking]

Was in Italy recently (on two wheels, not four) riding through the Dolomites and then the Italian Alps.

Was very pleased to see the large number of old Panda's still on the road, and not rusty like the ones in the UK were at three or four years old.

Enjoy your trip, despite the heat.

 

[Ian_Fearn]

The car is still running sweet! I’ve just driven back to the hotel after the long run and it started and drove as if it had just done a run to Tesco’s.

[GregZX]

On 6/16/2022 at 1:56 PM, Ian_Fearn said:

Yesterday’s hard motorway road run took its toll on the MPGEeeeeeees. 51.8 recorded. I’m driving from Reims to Besancon today and decided to get off the Peage roads. Lots of stop/start and diversions due to road works. Yesterday I paid nearly 30 euros to do about 160 miles. 
It’s mega hot here. 100% not used to this. I’m cowering in the shade after a top quality Aldi cold snack lunch. I really know how to live it up.

France has really lost its edge when it comes to shite. Spots are few and far between. The odd mint 2cv and today’s highlight, a daily driver Talbot Solara. No picture sorry.

That’s a shame. When I was in the same area in 2019 there was shite aplenty.  Renault 19s, Peugeot 406s, Xantias, Saxos, 306s everywhere you looked. 

[St.Jude]

On 6/15/2022 at 1:37 PM, Ian_Fearn said:

Got pulled by customs. Every question under the sun about the car and nothing to do with customs 🤣

Just putting this out there, but in the 25 years since her death they never found that white Fiat Uno that punted Princess Di's Merc in to the wall in Paris.

Yet here you are, in France 25 years later... 

[Matty]

1 hour ago, Ian_Fearn said:

The car is still running sweet! I’ve just driven back to the hotel after the long run and it started and drove as if it had just done a run to Tesco’s.

Told you 😁

[dollywobbler]

Ruddy marvellous.

[Spottedlaurel]

Wonderful! I've enjoyed keeping up with your progress during the week. Enjoy the show.

Reminds me of when four of us took our Datsuns up to Norway for an event.

[Ian_Fearn]

It’s getting busy here now! just a few taster shots from early this morning. It’s even hotter now! There’s a band on murdering some English language songs 🤣

[brownnova]

14 hours ago, Ian_Fearn said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the Italia 90 edition of the Panda! When I was a youngster there was one that lived on the road I walked to get into town. I always loved the little touches, especially the wheel trims!

This thread is making me want a Panda now… 

[Ian_Fearn]

Suffice to say it’s BONKERS here today. Must be 1000 cars already.

Just wanted to post this.

I know what you’re thinking…..

Will it run on veg?

Yes. Bosch pump!

[MJK 24]

Great thread!

I am guessing the Panda D was left hand drive markets only?  That’s got to be an effortless 75mpg machine all day long?!

[Ian_Fearn]

939 cars another new world record!!!

 

[hairnet]

My 54 HP took me here

[Noel Tidybeard]

2 hours ago, MJK 24 said:

Great thread!

I am guessing the Panda D was left hand drive markets only?  That’s got to be an effortless 75mpg machine all day long?!

April 1986 saw the introduction of a 1301 cc diesel engine with 37 PS (27 kW). This was a detuned version of the Brazilian engine also used in the 127/Uno. Fitted as standard with a five-speed gearbox it was only available in the basic "L" trim and was available until 1989 (until 1994 in the van versions)

[Ian_Fearn]

 

[Ian_Fearn]

 

[Ian_Fearn]

[Ian_Fearn]

Next stop the Stelvio Pass.

I am back at the hotel now and absolutely exhausted. I got back from Pandino late last night and my neighbours in the hotel (panda people) invited me to party with them so I didn’t get to bed till gone 1am and then up at 7am.

The show as always has been unbelievably fantastic. The people of Pandino are awesome and Panda people in general are so nice and friendly. There’s just no snobbery whatsoever. If you like Pandas, this is the place to come.

[wesacosa]

4 minutes ago, Ian_Fearn said:

Next stop the Stelvio Pass.

I am back at the hotel now and absolutely exhausted. I got back from Pandino late last night and my neighbours in the hotel (panda people) invited me to party with them so I didn’t get to bed till gone 1am and then up at 7am.

The show as always has been unbelievably fantastic. The people of Pandino are awesome and Panda people in general are so nice and friendly. There’s just no snobbery whatsoever. If you like Pandas, this is the place to come.

Sounds great.  maybe next year 

[hairnet]

any twins there any vans

 

[mat_the_cat]

12 hours ago, brownnova said:

I love the Italia 90 edition of the Panda! When I was a youngster there was one that lived on the road I walked to get into town. I always loved the little touches, especially the wheel trims!

When I was young I always wanted one of the special editions which had bright GREEN seats, which our next-door neighbours owned. I daydreamed about swapping them into a 4x4 version, which would probably be frowned upon nowadays!

[Ian_Fearn]

11 hours ago, hairnet said:

any twins there any vans

 

More Panda 30 models than you could count. According to one owner, when the 30 was available it was the best selling model in Italy (because it was the cheapest).

Also back in the day, a company was offering 4x4 conversions on new Panda 30 models. I cannot begin to imagine how slow they must have been🤣

Quite a few had the plastic van conversion kits although most seemed to be modified for camping or had been repurposed in some way.

I lay down on the bed last night at about 8.30 and the next thing I knew it was 8am!

[Ian_Fearn]

Coffee break time.

Living the dream!

Stelvio Pass today. Never fails to bring a big smile 😃 

Drove up Lake Come which is pretty spectacular.

Pandas everywhere but no other old cars to be seen. No Unos, Regattas or even 126. Just shed loads of old Pandas.

Overnight stay tonight at the very top.

 

Car is running beautifully. Burnt no oil or coolant. Stays around 90 degrees on the gauge.

[bezzabsa]

Bravo for doing this ...... looks to be an excellent way to enjoy an old Panda

[Eyersey1234]

Chodspeed with your adventure.