Fiat/Seat question - strange one!

[Split_Pin]

Whilst talking about holidays with the O/H, I started remembering about holidaying with my parents in Majorca and Menorca in the mid-1990's, and in particular, seeing cars there that I hadnt seen in the UK for 10 years or more.

 

I am sure however, amongst other Spanish home-market 'specials' I remember seeing what looked like some sort of mini-MPV derivative of the Fiat Panda. It looked a little bit like a scaled down Renault Espace, but I 'm sure it looked like it was based on a Fiat (or Seat) Panda.

 

I've trawled Google with all srts of weird questions to try and find it, but to no avail. Theres no mention of it on Seat's company website either.

 

Does anyone else know what the hell I'm talking about?!?!!?

[Mr Lobster]

SEAT did their own versions of most Fiats - 131, Panda, Ritmo (which evolved into the Ronda), plus virtually all the '70's Fiat model range.

 

Can't think of a people carrier type thing though

[Alexg]

[Vin]

Could it have been something by Moretti??

 

Maybe a 'Midimaxi' or 'Minimaxi'??

 

click on the Moretti link below, then click 'third party mechanicals'

 

http://www.carsfromitaly.net/others/index.html

[ChinaTom]

Menorca! Love that place and was actually toying with the idea of zipping across there for a few days later this year. I expect my memories of Seat 600's, Panda 35's, the occasional Seat 1430's will be replaced by modern stuff and proper roads - the last time I went was 1988.

 

My old man had hired a car as part of the "package" but forgot about it till mid-morning of the hire start day. All that was left in the lot was an old Seat 850 with a smashed headlamp. The fleet hotel chap (Paco, I even remember his name!) felt a bit guilty and offered us his own car for the day - an off-white hard-top Midimax just like the one on the website.

 

A Seat 133 became available the next day so Paco had his car back.

 

We always stayed at Arenal D'en Castell, on the north east of the island. The hotel had a fleet of Renault 7's and I saw my first ever Fiat Oggi and Panorama parked in the same street near Mahon harbour. Happy days...

[Split_Pin]

I stayed there in 97! I remember seeing my first R7 and Seat 133 in Cala'n Porter in 93. It was all gone a few years later. The van looks like a Seat Terra or something. Im going to have a look at Moretti now- cheers!

[ChinaTom]

I bet it's all changed now. When I first went to Arenal in 1979, there was just the big hotel on the hill (Castell Playa?), the little one at the bottom (Topacio - jeez, how am I remembering this?) and one little white villa built into the cliff above the beach. By 1988, the whole place had been developed. I'm definitely going back this year to have a quick look, then go and find that Ice Cream factory in Alaior that makes the Menorquina stuff:

 

 

smoke a couple of these

 

decide they are not strong enough and get some of these instead:

 

Ideally in a clapped out series I Fiat 127 900L

[MrSteve]

Could it be the wonderful world of Emelba...

 

 

 

And even a 5 door Panda!

 

Looks like they made a few unusual versions of regular Seats/Fiats

[dollywobbler]

Wow. That's amazing! What I love is that a Panda looks like it's made out of lego, and the Emelba looks like someone's pulled a Panda apart and rearranged it!

[Volksy]

WOW!

 

Having grown up half in Spain, i'm amazed i've never clocked, or even known about any of these, the 5dr Panda is awesome!

 

Seat also made a 4 dr 600, called the 800. And a 4/5 door 127.

[Milford Cubicle]

Those Emelbas are amazing! Never heard of them before.

I wonder if SEAT or Emelba ever made a Ranchera.

[Volksy]

 

I have seen one of these, and later ones built from the Rhonda

[Volksy]

 

And this one looks like the bastard child of a Seat Ibiza and a Chrysler Caravan..

 

WANT!

 

OMG OMG OMG OMG

 

[Vin]

Obviously not Moretti then but Fuggin Hell. EMELBA IZ ORZUMS!!!1!!!

 

In spanish but the pics are what matters....

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emelba

 

They even made a Talbot HORIZON VAN

 

I'd love to own everything Emelba ever made

[Split_Pin]

Could it be the wonderful world of Emelba...

 

 

 

 

You Sir, are a legend. The one in particular that I remember was derilect outside an old house in a field and exactly that colour

 

It looks as much of a crock of cack as I remember. I absolutely love it!!!!

[Split_Pin]

Actually, it was more like this one:

 

 

This one even has a Majorca numberplate!

 

Thanks guys, this was really bugging me today! Great find!

 

Heres a link on how they made the Panda ones!

 

clicky

[trigger]

That is fruggin ugly!

[Alexg]

Wow, Emelba is a new one on me too, but this is some awesome Shite

 

Ibiza based 7 seater

 

and pickup

 

Ronda estate with sliding reat door (did this ever make production?)

 

I love this brand

[ashmicro]

The little pickup to me looks very much like a Golf Caddy - check out the door handles.

[Gompo]

Not heard of Emelbas either, but they're bloody ace looking. I'll have this with the trims that remind me of Metro wheels..

 

 

And Emelba or not, this is cool: PLAYA

 

 

Lastly, apologies for fucking up the screen width for some, but I'll have this as my work's van thanks.

 

 

Cheers[/code]

[Split_Pin]

I love the Ronda van!

 

The Chato is still my favourite though for being so shite-looking!

 

Volkswagen can keep their Golf 'Plus', I'd much prefer this. Wonder if there are any left?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Dear god this lot is SHITE GOLD DUST!!!!

 

First person to find an emelba product for sale for a few hundred euros or less, wins a bottle of Jenolite.

[RedSparrow]

Proper shite!

 

Taking shit cars and making them shitter. Thats what I'm talking about.

[pogweasel]

Is it just me or did they try to flog the Marbella "Playa" in the UK?

 

I would imagine cruising the boulevards of Great Yarmouth or Skegness in one of those would a one-way ticket to loads of holiday clunge.

[Mr Lobster]

OFF TO SPAIN. BRB.

 

Fuggin 'ell. They are all well fit. Ronda van would fit right into my life.

[Alexg]

Blimey, thread from the dead.

 

But I feel a worthy reason. Found these pics earlier, not Emelba, but who cares hey?

 

 

 

 

[Faker]

Awesome! What is it?? I remember seeing loads of quality shite in Spain over the last lot of years, however I was over in July and all the shite has disappeared! Gone!

[Alexg]

Seat Ronda based Ambulance / fire vehicle.

[Partridge]

The Emelba is weapons grade shite. That must have been in the very early days of people movers (if you're not including Cortinas with six kids crammed in them).