Panda (Classic) Godiva -- the blue 750L (L is for "Low mileage")

[homeward]

Do they come with the little plastic fitting studs too?

I shall let you know: as (a) I didn't know they needed these (or that you couldn't re-use the old ones...); and (b) my Italian isn't up to asking "Non vengono con i piccoli perni di montaggio in plastica troppo?"

You learn something new every day....

 

[panda1408]

You should be able to reuse the original ones if you can push the centre out without loosing or destroying them

 

[VmanC]

It just so happens that I'm fitting a new pair of these to a customers Panda today so will give you a rundown of what's involved later. The customer supplied their own trims and they did not come with new clips, I will use pop rivets as I've tried getting the fixers from Fiat in the past and they never managed to supply the right ones.

I agree with what's been said about that back to black/black trim wax too, very streaky and not worth buying. Autoglyms bumper and trim gel is far superior.

 

[Palio]

Yes the Autoglym bumper stuff is best. You don't get a mess everywhere and no black streaks etc. Your hands get a bit sticky but I actually like the smell of the green goo :yum:

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

You should be able to reuse the original ones if you can push the centre out without loosing or destroying them

:yeahthat:

I can supply the part number for a bad of 20 though, as I order them also

 

[homeward]

I can supply the part number for a bad of 20 though, as I order them also

Yes, please! I can then sell them onto VmanC at a highly inflated price...! :devil:

 

[panda panda]

I may have to refit mine so I could do with a few too - what do they work out at 50p each?

I got ripped for a dustcap the other day at the same price

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I got ripped for a dustcap the other day at the same price

Tip of the day, remove them from your wheels when getting new tyres and keep them as spares as they get replaced anyway

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

:yeahthat:

I can supply the part number for a bad of 20 though, as I order them also

Oh yes please again!

 

[VmanC]

Fitted some new arch trims today so here's what you need to do when you get yours Stephen............



As you can see these really needed changing, only black paint would have worked here, temporarily.



For those that don't know, the three fixings have a central pin that's knocked in as an expander once they are in place, to remove the trim you need to knock this pin right through and catch it at the back. All being well you should be able to use them again.
Once removed degrease the area with panel wipe/white spirit or similar.



To make sure they stay fitting tight to the body I fit some double sided badge tape.



Then it's a case of putting the new trim in place and re-fitting the fixings.



15 mins for both sides, max.

 

[homeward]

Fitted some new arch trims today so here's what you need to do when you get yours Stephen...

Thank you! I have to say that the badge tape is pure genius.... :worship:

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

Thanks that's very useful. I've got to attack some corrosion on the arches on the CLX and I had been wondering for a while how these fixings work

 

[purple haze]

Did all this on the bianca. Used double sided tape too.... One thing is, try finding the clips in white!!!! I had to leave them for a week in washing up liquid to bring them back to as new.

 

[homeward]

Well, the homewardette -- who is extremely camera-shy... -- is now officially in shock!

I'd parked Godiva at the front of the house (where the Mk3 Panda and the Punto usually live), all bedecked in her purple ribbons; and, after fending off interested and intrigued bystanders for twenty minutes, the homewardette returned from work with her mum... -- with a look on her face that was well worth all the effort and subterfuge of the last few weeks...!

"You've bought me a car!" And one she already loves, too (thank goodness...) -- particularly the upholstery and colour! After that -- for the first time in a while -- she was actually almost speechless...!

Anyway: I think it's all beginning to sink in, now; and she seems really pleased that so many of the locals have shown a friendly interest in it, too... -- but we now really need to sort out our parking arrangements...



We decided to unveil Godiva today, by the way: as showers are forecast for tomorrow morning, and the homewardette has to go in to work (on the day of her actual birthday).

May the fourth be with you!

 

[Didge3]

May the fourth be with you!

You did not. Just do that. :bang:

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Part numbers as promised:

181201880 NS Stone Guard Trim
181201780 OS Stone Guard Trim
05757381 'Retaining Block'

 

[homeward]

Just introduced Godiva to the local, winding, country lanes... -- and what a joy she is to drive on them...!

I even managed a few really smooth gear changes; although it's still quite amusing to have to change down a cog to get up what -- even on the bike -- I think of as small inclines! Getting used to the brakes (which work brilliantly -- just need a bit more effort than the Punto...) is fun, too; and teaches you to be that little more 'prepared'.... I think I may have to put some P plates on, for a while....

It's a good job I've got Betty in reserve -- otherwise the homewardette may have a fight on her hands...!

 

[james2609]

Looks great, love the colour

 

[homeward]

Looks great, love the colour

Thank you! She's actually a similar colour to the Mk4 Panda that we ordered (and then was cancelled), that got me on to the Forum in the first place (almost a year ago... -- gosh: how quickly things move on...)!

Living in the countryside, though, she's rapidly getting a bit mud-coloured... -- but will get a proper seeing-to, once VmanC has given her a thorough inspection, next week...!

 

[homeward]

A very quick update: Godiva is now "Pippin" the Panda... -- after the homewardette watched The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings back-to-back twice on DVD (including the extended versions...).

I have no problem with this: as, until a few years ago, like Christoper Lee, I read both books from start to finish on my birthday, every year. (He's exactly 39 years and three months older than me, though....)