Fiat Pandas

I just stumbled on a nice blog post discussing the old style Fiat Panda, and how it has remained popular for residents of hillside towns in Italy as it's one of the few cars that can fit in the narrow streets. You can read it for yourself at 2 Italy - We moved to Italy.

Meanwhile fans of the new version might like this modified example found via Flickr:

The image is by _najt, and it's used under a Creative Commons licence.

Just found Novitec, as a source of parts for tuning and modifying your Fiat Panda - and they've got some great photos of their modified Pandas on the site. I'm not entirely convinced by the chrome bull bar on the front, but the other mods look pretty good - as does their work on the Fiat 100HP Panda.
If you're looking for the parts they have available, the English listing of Novitec modifying parts for the Fiat Panda is here. I'm rather taken by the wheels, and definitely tempted by the adjustable suspension, although at 859EUR, I might have to settle for the 109EUR lowering kit for the moment!

Just seen that Car Magazine in the UK is running a vote for 'The Greatest Car in Film History', with all the usual suspects - Bonda's DB5, the Back to the Future DeLorean etc.

Sadly no cinematic exploits starring the Panda have made it. But having had a look at the Internet Move Car Database, I've seen some interesting info.

For a start, Pandas make 103 appearances on film and TV as a standard new or old model, with a handful extra for the 4X4 and 100HP. You can see Pandas in Film and TV here. It turns out they quite often pop-up as the automotive equivalent of a TV extra - even being used as cover in Ronin, but not making it into the chase scene.

I guess they're just not as comical as a Citroen 2CV! And yet, looking at the statistics page, The Panda gets outshone by the Punto, the 1100, and the Uno.

I mean, the Uno? More of a film star? Really? I hoped the 100HP might redress the balance, but then the new 500 came along.

With the Panda being produced in it's original form from 1980 to 2003, and the new model existing for five years, you wonder if any of them will become as collectible as the Fiat 500, or other small cars like the Mini.

Two cars answer that question, for each of the models. For the old model, the 4WD variant gained a good following for a robust, rural car. And even the new 4x4 climbing hasn't replaced it totally, as it's seen to be too low for rough ground.

Meanwhile of the new generation Pandas, there's just one obvious future classic: The Fiat Panda 100hp (Pic by Daz n P on Flickr).

The 100hp features a 1.4 litre 16 valve FIRE engine originally from the Fiat Punto, and now tuned to develop 100bhp. Not only does it have a 6 speed gearbox, all disc brakes and a new suspension, but it's capable of 115mph, making it a far more fun and sporty car to drive. Which is perfect for anyone who has driven the normal versions and wants something with a bit more power.

Originally available in Black, you now also get the options of Grey, Blue, White or Red. The body coloured bumpers, dark tinted rear and side windows and 15" alloys also make it a far more attractive car, for £10,260. Options include a subwoofer and 6 speakers, CD changer, Skydome double sunroof, roof bars, window airbags, and front side airbags.

Certainly as the owner of a 2003 standard Panda I'm tempted to price up the changes to the body, suspension modifications and alloy wheels!

Interestingly, the 100hp seems to be much more of an enthusiasts car, with a far higher proportion of members of the Fiat Forum, for example, than you'd expect given by the amount you see on UK roads. It certainly suggests that it will be the one to treasure as it's far closer to the spirit of the best small cars of the past - at least until the Abarth version of the new Fiat 500. Even then, the 500 loses a lot of the practicality that makes cars like the Panda so attractive.

It may seem a strange car to devote a blog to - after all, it's not the most glamorous or sporty vehicle out there...

But the Fiat Panda is one of the unsung heroes of the car world - the modern version is comfortable, spacious, and if you have the 100HP version, even quite sporty. It's also surprisingly roomy, especially for taller drivers, and with the rear seats folded down you can fit a reasonable amount inside.

The dash mounted gear lever is easy to use, and you actually get quite a high up driving position for such a small car.

Plus I ended up with one, and I'm quite attached to it.

For the record, mine is a 2003 1.1 litre Fiat Panda in blue.