Latest updates

After a few years being owner of this beauty we decided to attend a joined meeting organized by Fiat Coupe Heritage Club here in Slovakia. Everything started 19th of June and ended on Sunday the 22nd. We covered a part of central Slovakia with our own little twists

interactive map with route and interesting places

19.06. Free at last

...to be continued...

So, all planets have aligned, and the Punto is pretty much done. I had a lot of work done on it, I'll have a short list here:

-> I've changed the problematic right side drive shaft, unfortunately, this was a lot more work than anticipated. The new driveshaft was made for a Fiat Doblo mk2, and was too long (930 mm vs 921 mm). I had the outer shaft shortened, machined and TIG welded. The vibrations are a lot less upsetting right now. We'll see how long it's going to last.
-> New clutch, release bearing and flywheel.
-> New timing belt and water pump.
-> New steering arms with new rods and links.
-> New alternator belt.
-> New coolant expansion tank.
-> New drilled Brembo XTRA line disks on the front, and Brembo OEM in the rear.
-> Added a K&N drop in filter
-> Mounted new Eibach 12 mm wheel spacers with longer bolts front and rear.
-> Added a metallic engine splash shield (car is quite low and I don't want to damage the oilpan).
-> Oil and filters. Motul Abarth spec 10W50 + Liqui Moly Ceratec, and Motul 80W90 with Liqui Moly Gear additive.
-> Lots of details, used some rust converter on any suspension, thing that was showing even a tiny bit of rust, oiled the shifter linkages as they stick a bit (they'll need replacing).
-> Alignment

I managed to buy a new set of identical rims, but in a lot better shape, without any curb rashes.

I'm very happy on how this car turned out. I love it, and every time I go for a ride, it puts a smile on my face. It's an undercover Abarth Grande Punto SS. With this new K&N filter, and especially the new flywheel (it's OEM Luk, but apparently it's a bit lighter even though it's dual mass), the throttle it's a lot more snappy and crisp.

It's not perfect (there are places where the car shows it's age) but for me it's good enough. I've yet to see a Punto in a better shape than this one .

Can't wait to do some trackdays.

This is only our 3rd trip out in “Stan the van” (as Mrs Asda calls it) since we bought it in November.

Fitted a side awning led/drip strip which was straight forward & I managed to get some copy ‘IH campers’ vinyl decals which have all but completed the exterior so I’m getting there.

Next task is to attempt to get the DVLA to correctly classify it as a Motor Caravan - filled in the form and I’ve got my photo evidence ready. Wish me luck….

Too much to list but still going strong

So today I got a call from Toyota saying they would not update the Nav despite updates being available and were sending me a refund.

This was not great..but kicked me to actually try to sort it. First up managed to get the security software updated. Once this was done I could now get it to connect to the internet and the E-store. I thought hey great! But no you can't buy maps in the car from the E-store.

I tried many many ways to install it..before finding the right one, probably about 5 hours of trial and error. Takes 40 minutes engine running to update.

Them not doing it has probably saved in the region of 150 quid...and the new housing estate behind mine now appears so seems better.

Hopefully that is now literally everything I was going to do to this done..

I have to congratulate Fiat Forum for the software which must be running in the background. My Panda passed its MOT test yesterday, and now less than 24 hours later there is a delightful change to be seen on both the Government MOT check website and also on the Fiat Forum website (Garage).
The next step is for me to go to the Post Office with the V62 form (apparently there is no online facillity) and pay for a new V5C logbook (£25) plus pay the road tax (£107.25 for six months) ... and hopefully see the new status update on the Panda's road tax fairly soon...apparently I should contact DVLA if two weeks (or is it four weeks) pass without any logbook arriving in the post! This is an area of inefficiency caused by the stubborn refusal of a government agency to fully embrace the internet... or is it a deep rooted lack of trust in the motor trade??
Then I can look forward to the new experience of actually driving a 21-year-old Fiat Panda 1.2 !

So being the idiot I am I posted the updates under the discussion section. The next ones should be done correctly.

This is a good day..until today it felt like I was going to take it into a main agent and be told despite me having looked it over thoroughly and addressed everything it was actually condemned. Not logical given the known history but in my thoughts none the less given what usually happens when I take the Citroën for an MOT. Sum total of Faults, insecure heat shield which was fixed back on for free otherwise no issues found with belts etc so hopefully that was that.

First advisory free MOT this car has had since 2021..not bad for an old bus.

The eagle eyed amongst you may Notice the MOT is early.

Two reasons, one of which was it was last serviced by Toyota a year ago so keeping the warranty rolling and 2 the Citroën MOT is 29th September. That's usually a bloodbath for my or the warranty companies wallet or both so separating them out is good.

Otherwise somehow the digital key for the nav did not arrive...it's digital I could have bought it and given them it within 30 seconds but apparently that's not how they work. I've paid for that so back another day.

Also I discovered I don't actually like Toyotas...I just like this Toyota. The Yaris courtesy car..well it's interesting given the list price is more than the Auris was 8 years ago to enjoy the sheer amount of cost cutting in it. Materials inside are awful all the panels sound hollow etc. Also was not a fan of driving it, combination of a hybrid system that's always doing something but never quite what you expect and steering that was entirely disconnected just gave it the feel of driving a car in a video game with auto transmission selected.

While this isn't a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics it just about manages not to be absolutely dull.


Happy with the dad wagon though..so it can go back to its life of this..

And ,

Well my daughters lovely 500 Sport has been written off and will be on Copart shortly. We don't know what went though her mind, but she swears the bush flashed her out of a junction, she pulled out and the bus never slowed and ploughed right into the side of her. The little 500 held up well and she's safe, but the cars been written off.

First update for this car. Felt it's fitting as I've done quite a lot now I'm better and have the time.

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Backbox Time​

Found a Sei-specific kit from Sportex, which appear to be UK-based. I was torn between this, and an Ulter kit from Poland, but chose this one in the end mainly for convenience. It came in two parts, the resonator which connects to the centre-pipe, and the backbox. Should have probably called in backup or had a shop fit it in all honesty, wrecked my shoulders doing it myself!

Well worth the pain, though. Sounds faintly reminiscent of a chunky bike motor now, really happy with it so far!

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New Locks!​

I've replaced the cores for both doors, as well as the boot. No locksmith could do it for under £500, so figured I'd give it a go myself. Found a fresh set of keys and locks from Italy, and they arrived really rather quickly. The boot was a 20 minute job, but pulling the barrels out of the doors was far tougher than expected! The little retaining clip is pure friction, and it damn near pulled my arm out while trying

All in all, glad to have central locking working, and the ability to open my boot without pulling the lever under the driver's seat.

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Spring Clean​

I've finally had the time to do all the little bits myself, like:

• Refit the mudflaps properly
• Mount a pair of cupholders (still cannot believe the Sei didn't come with any)
• Mount a fire extinguisher (going on a very remote trip later this year, call me paranoid but it's staying!)
• Cleaned all the weather strips and inner trims in the doors and sills
• Remove and correctly mount the passenger seat

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Safe to say I've been busy in the three weeks since I got her back! Look forward to chronicling the future changes I've got planned for her too :^)

Typo in title. It is indeed a 2.3.

Started using this for what it was actually bought for..so first a Visual Aid. This is the boot of the Mazda when I was in the same period with my first born.

Note the sheer level of Tetris required, pram wheels are off, I'm also "cheating" as at this point as we were using the full travel system so it's only the chassis as the seat is in the car.

The C3 the pram and carry cot filled the entire boot to the parcel shelf, to close it you had to take the shelf off the hinges so it would hover on top of the pram.

More recent times...

Even with wheels left on and also the cot that goes on the top half the boot still free (about 260l on volume or a Ford Fiesta boot). The roller blind shelf will close over the top as well or you can leave it open for more space.

I've seen dog guards eBay for 30 quid, this takes the form of a heavy duty vertical roller blind that clips on to pre-fitted anchor points behind the Tonneau and secure to points fitted on the ceiling. You can have both fitted at the same time so if I need more space open one, close the other and stack to the roof as long as it's not heavy stuff. I'm also keeping half an eye out for some roofbars just for the full Swiss army car experience.

Other than being just very useful...it continues to Toyota fairly successfully. It has a lightly squeaky aux belt/pulley at idle, this will be addressed at some point it's been doing it since arrival it's got neither better or worse and can only be heard window down.

Next month it has a Major Service and MOT booked I think I'll get the Nav updated then as well if nothing more pressing comes up. There may be an update then if anything comes up.

Otherwise well only complaint is round the doors and up in the hills she remains a bit thirsty ( as low as 35mpg possible) , cruising economy is nice (genuine 50 mpg possible) but I have a feeling real world measured average is going to struggle to better 40mpg. Which for the 1.8 petrol estate this is the equivalent of is decent enough.

Since introducing the Panda to the FF garage, it's been a fairly busy few weeks for the Panda, for me anyways.

For a while now I'd been planning to get some airhorns for the Panda to give it some extra flair and baby Ferrari-ness, mostly because in reality the standard is a pretty pathetic thing that surely can't be classed as a horn . So bought some FIAMM's for the Panda with some lovely Pingu looking noot noot trumpets which were fitted 05/04/25. It's safe to say this is a proper horn, ultra loud, makes a great noise, makes everyone laugh when you're messing around and makes people completely jump out their skin when used for its intended use. Much recommended upgrade.

Whilst the front bumper was off, some much needed repairs were done. This car has been whacked from both sides in the past, both sides were cracked, nearside completely broken off and offside was splitting. So with a bit of metal fabricating, araldite'ing, rivet'ing, the bumper has got some strength back and now sits how it should rather than being sat low and out on the upper corners.

Also whilst the bumper was off for repair, took the opportunity to take the sill covers off, and while the drivers side had very little dirt inside, the passenger side had potentially a couple kg's of dirt sitting inside, so to anyone who hasn't taken a look inside the covers, do it when you can. However be prepared in advance with replacement clips and some for of adhesive for the covers as they will need reattaching. I'm happy to say that with my Panda it has for the mostpart gotten away very lightly on the corrosion front. Other than a bit on the end of the rear sill edge, there was nothing. And the only other place with some crust was the drivers front wheelarch, which has a little shelf where dirt likes to collect, so clear that out too if you haven't checked. Both areas were treated to some kurust to stop anything that was there surface wise for now, a proper inspection at some stage will happen to see the full extent, but it's a relief to see that this car doesn't seem to be plagued by natural weight reduction.

The following weekend was a lightly organised trip to Caffeine & Machine 'The Hill' which was about a 200 mile round trip for the Panda, which is definitely the most I've taken it in both of my ownerships. It handled the journey more than well, was obviously very fun on the country lanes and b-roads, but was more than capable on the motorway sections too. In total at C&M 7 Panda's gathered, which was nice to see, I'm sure if more professionally organised there would be a greater turnout, but for a first attempt from the Panda group on Facebook, it was a good day. And the Panda managed to achieve an impressive to me MPG figure of 46.3. Which considering the smaller roads around Surrey and Stratford-upon-Avon on either side of the motorway sections, I was very impressed.

Then we come to today where I had two more parts to fit to the Panda. The breather hose which had completely split on all 3 parts. And a rather fancy looking BMC CDA Filter. The original airbox at one stage in its life did have a Pipercross panel filter, but somewhere along the line thanks to one the previous non caring owners, they had thrown that out for a standard paper one, no I don't know what they must've been smoking either, but it clearly led to some very questionable choices Back to the BMC, not the most straightforward thing to fit, some absolutely terribly printed instructions to show how it should sit in the engine bay, pixelated is putting it lightly, may as well have been a photo of a potato. But the wording was more useful, 3 screws on the battery tray had to be sliced off in order to make room, as well as a bracket holding on the plug for the ignition leads, even after that it is sat in the engine bay very snug, so I lined both side with some Tesa tape the give it something a bit softer to lean against if it does move ever so slightly. It's not the neatest engine bay with some wires here and there for the airhorns and other bits and pieces, but hey, it's a project car not a showpiece, so I'm not overly fussed. The breather pipe was the more scary part to change as I've seen many nightmare stories of the inlet manifold piece snapping off, so I took a stanley blade and put it under a flame to get it nice and hot and cut through the pipe like butter to limit any strain on the manifold. And then made sure the new part was nice lubed up and even put some heat on that too so it could just slide on, but even then it was a bit snug, but thankfully it's all on and that should be the end of my oily smell coming from the engine bay.

For now that will be the last of any upgrades/mods for a bit. Next on the cards will be some Abarth seats as the originals are really starting to give up now. Some new front arms as when I was under the Panda it looked like one side was starting to collapse. Will debate whether I stay standard or keep going with more polybushes for the go kart feel. Maybe some new shocks/coilovers all round. A new headunit to make use of the Pioneer speakers.

But the next day out for the Panda will be Autoitalia at Brooklands in May, can't wait

I had been busy with work and missed the 75K service but managed to catch it at 78K.

Just standard oil, oil filter, air filter and general health check for the little Panda.

The butterfly valve in the throttlebody seems to not be gunking up as much as before, perhaps the more regular oil changes are helping?

After a few miles and turning left I'd get a sort of screeching from brakes, I think it was the lower portion of the dust shield contacting the disc, so I bent it back a bit and noise seems to have gone!

Underside is a bit dirty but still not much corrosion.

Really pleased with this little car!