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Panda (Classic) My Purple Panda Parade Progress log

Introduction

Well folks, after keeping it under my hat all week (to avoid any embarrassment if the ebay winner actually collected the car) I have bought the purple panda parade from another user on here, neeny. They had sold it on ebay, and to cut a long story short the winner of the auction didn't collect, so the transaction was cancelled, and I offered to buy it in his place (I had actually nearly bid on the car on the original run but I confused myself and thought it was LHD which wouldn't have been any good to me) So I made the trip to fife (and on the way crossed the forth road bridge and saw the forth rail bridge which is a bit of an ambition of mine) and collected it. It took some getting used to driving! My current daily is a Citroen C2 GT, and the two cars are very very different. I have prior experience driving Fiats, as my first 3 cars were a mix of mk1 and mk2a puntos, and the first car I ever drove was my dad's tipo.

Anyway I digress, I drove it home in blizzard conditions and am very impressed with it! The only thing is that it has sat for a while and the brakes are very spongy (not a criticism of the previous owners, they were extremely honest about the car and answered all my questions, they were very kind and nice people and I hope to see them again, perhaps at a show) The Mohair twin sunroofs were slightly damp on the inside (again, not a criticism, it has been extremely wet in Scotland recently, and there is only so much it can take) not leaking or anything, just slightly damp, so I aim to treat this with fabric water repellant. There are some decals and stickers on it which aren't to my personal tastes, so I will remove these, and keep the ones which are to my taste :) The rear sunroof needs a new strap, so I will need to source one of these, or get my fiance to make a new one if I can get a hold of some leather or rubber if I find they are unavailable :)

I am very pleased with my new purchase, and consider myself very lucky to have managed to get it, the buyer on ebay should be kicking himself! And also I am very lucky to have met such kind people as Janine and Stewart, and to have found a forum with such helpful people. Anyway folks lets get down to business...photos! I apologize for the poor quality of some of these photos, it was dark before I took some of these and it is very cold so my hand was shaking. Hopefully you join me on my journey folks :) The panda is currently in my garage being aired out in an attempt to part dry the sunroofs before I bust out the hairdryer tomorrow :)

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Nice work..

Service...the clues in the word. Spare fuse holder. Or are you not looking at the plug and play diagnostics are you?

I don't know, It certainly looks like a normal fuse port, but the service name would make sense if that was the case.

How do you get spare fuse holder from service out of interest? I dont see the connection? :confused: just curious though :) Everything works on the car so I am curious to see what it could be.
 
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Sad day today :(

I put Purple Haze the Panda away in the garage for winter! With a harsh winter being predicted I thought it would be best to store it for a few months while the cold, rain and snow ravage the land known as Scotland. Its sad that I wont be driving it for a couple of months, but its for the best I reckon, the underside is so good it would be a shame to waste it unnecessarily! So I will be running my dad's Fiat Brava for the winter which I love! Its no panda though...

For the record I know that the panda would be very capable in the snow, I drove it down from Fife in the snow! Just that I want to take care of it while I am fortunate enough to have two cars :)

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Sad day today :(

I put Purple Haze the Panda away in the garage for winter! With a harsh winter being predicted I thought it would be best to store it for a few months while the cold, rain and snow ravage the land known as Scotland. Its sad that I wont be driving it for a couple of months, but its for the best I reckon, the underside is so good it would be a shame to waste it unnecessarily! So I will be running my dad's Fiat Brava for the winter which I love! Its no panda though...

For the record I know that the panda would be very capable in the snow, I drove it down from Fife in the snow! Just that I want to take care of it while I am fortunate enough to have two cars :)

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We'll let you off as its a Brava and not a Bravo :D
 
But unfortonately you can see how the prices had increased recently ( last two years)

£12+ VAT for a distributor cap, £5+ VAT for a rotor arm - that's bloody joke.


I haven't tried to buy those, where do you normally get your parts from? I've used Ebay for quite a while now and usually its quite reasonable for the parts I've looked for.

I got a brand new radiator shipped from Germany a few months ago for less than 60 quid which I thought was quite good.
 
where do you normally get your parts from?

Normally Ebay as well.
Now, planing "major service " for sisley due to Royal Mail Christmas Kaos and having couple days off work, I went to coupleof old fassion local motor factor places looking for some bargin new old stock cleareance policy - not a chance. Back home had a look on the bay and 99% service parts were well over priced.
Sorry but this time I'll try to soruce them elsewere.
 
Normally Ebay as well.
Now, planing "major service " for sisley due to Royal Mail Christmas Kaos and having couple days off work, I went to coupleof old fassion local motor factor places looking for some bargin new old stock cleareance policy - not a chance. Back home had a look on the bay and 99% service parts were well over priced.
Sorry but this time I'll try to soruce them elsewere.

That's a shame :( I just suppose it depends what parts you are looking for! Good luck with the search.
 
If you are patient you can get some real bargains. I had a new 3 piece clutch delivered at £12, 2 new wheel cylinders £12, new h'brake cable £8. Etc etc

Mind you; in the vain attempt to buy MK1 rear lights I have cornered the world market in tail illumination.

I think I have been fortunate in that most items I've needed have been on Ebay at decent prices. I would imagine mk1 tail lights are difficult to come by though! Which reminds me, I need to sort the wiring on my passenger side taillight before January, might even do it today if I get a chance.
 
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