Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Bangernomics question: Mentioned I bought an MOT failed panda, with rusted rear suspension beam. This is common corrosion point, this one has been welded in the past so needs replacement. Was thinking of replacing the suspension set up from a KA as it is wider and stiffer beam then replacing all the springs to the KA springs. Lockdown has stopped that plan.

Now been offered a cheap panda same age and with MOT. So was thinking of checking the rear beams condition then swap the beam over to mine, sell panda one and then sell panda two once the bits are available from scrap yards.

Then noted a cheap 1.6 A2 has come up but with no MOT and though why fuck about as I fancy the A2 and use it as a van for going to France, which was the idea for the panda or to leave the Panda/A2 in France and get rid of the smart car as it is a bit useless as anything more than a go to shops by yourself.

Yeah but will you fit though?

Maybe with the seats bolted straight to the floor :)

Now this is going to sound stupid, but would depend on your body, leg length and arm length.

As I have mentioned a few times, the MX mk1 was designed by IAD, in Worthing.

Do it. You won't regret it for a second.

I'd say 6'4" and under you'd fit, but it's pretty uncomfortable with the roof down. Not a car to drive with the roof down anyway, very noisy, poor visibility, and ... well, kind of pointless, really. The fun is in the openness. Transforms the whole experience, and connects you with the surroundings more in the way that cycling does.

Smaller steering wheel will also help (this hideous wooden one was quickly replaced with an original MOMO which is better fitwise)

Do it!

1 Attachment

+1 NA MX5

Sorry if a Re, but been enjoying this guy's Cossie find/planned refurb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiW9jLpwlX0

Spotted a couple of beautiful old motors today, a 1956 AC Ace-Bristol


And I assume this is a replica as the originals are worth millions, but still a lovely looking car, a Jaguar C-type.

Unfortunately for these two it had just broken down and needed pushing to the side of the road. It doesn't matter how expensive your car is, if you're going to join the classic car club, you're going to get plenty of practice at perfecting that stranded at the side of the road 'oh shit' look.

It's been an expensive month getting back into car ownership, but the Clio's now almost in a place I'm happy with. It's incredibly quick for a small car, the engine really pulls when you get to 5k.

Work over the lockdown so far has been:

• New catalytic converter and full standard exhaust system - including mounts
  
• Sourced and fitted rear interior
  
• Paintless dent removal (magic)
  
• Fabia splitter fitted
  
• Rear boot badges sourced
  
• Brake nipples freed and replaced with stainless items - brakes bled
  
• Fuel filler area taken back to metal, treated for rust and painted
  
• New fuel filler flap hinge fitted
  
• Inner sills treated for rust and sealed
  
• RS182 side markings fitted
  
  

To do:

• Replace my phase 1 all red rear lights with standard items
  
• fit engine cover
  
• source new cup shocks and -40mm springs
  
• the list sell it and invest in bike bits?
  

1 Attachment

Looks great. Keep a hold of it. Good ones are only going to get harder to find!
Also, if you do decide to spend more money on it, these look great on the Speedline Turini wheels that came on the cup cars.

these are decent but would take that red Elite over these any day. I wonder if it was the same Lotus I saw and papped about six months ago. in Hackney. but can't trail the thread or my phone to check.

In panda news, took the rear beam off and one repaired spring cup separated from the beam as I jacked the car up on one side and made a very loud bang.

I recently looked into the cost of installing a 1.4 t-jet Abarth engine into a Panda 100hp. Although it's been done a few times, it seems no one thinks its a good idea. Looking at about £2.5k for car, budget £5k for the engine install.

Why do people think it is a bad idea? Twice the power and pretty easy to transplant as panda/500 are the same floor pan and engine mounts. People fit the 1.4 16v out of the punto, in to the panda as it is cheaper and easier to source than the 100hp engine

If it were me, I buy a decent panda mainly for the shell. Engine, gearbox and suspension brakes and wheels don't matter as you will be upgrading them. So the costs and hassle of selling the 100hp ones compared to selling 1.1 or 1.2 engine. I do go for the later 500/ka rear suspension beam as it is stronger and has an anti roll bar I have been told which the panda not even the 100hp has. Convert the rear to disc brakes? EDIT the ka/500 beam is also wider but not a issue.

Don't pay a premium for the abarth brakes as they are the same as other larger fiats or the dublo van I think. But there are the upgrades from other fiats, also should be a straigh forward swap as it has been done and documented. Not as if you are putting an Audi R8 engine in to a MK1 MR2!

https://youtu.be/TmUYcgLdho4

Still rate the 1750 allegro, if they had produced a sporty version akin the the golf gti would have the allegro's image changed and would there be a different first gti class car.

I irrelevant news, I have bought a second panda for £100 with 4 months MOT. It is the 1,1 £30 VED. The only time the vendor has dropped the price as I was the only one to visit. Might just give it a proper valet in side and then clay bar, touch up and polish on the out side. Then flog it.

I suppose it makes no financial sense and in many ways...just buy an A500. Guess that's not the point though with a project like this and the Panda had a number of positives, better steering, 5 doors, arguably better looking.

I've been told I'd need the Abarth engine, turbo and gearbox, driveshafts, subframe, entire front suspension and a few other bits and pieces. A custom intercooler/pipework, and a standalone ECU, wiring and mapping to run it all. Exhaust, suspension, probably clutch and gearbox. Quite a list!

Assume the same engine as in the dolomite sprint.. Would the hydroelastic suspension have done the hot hatch thing?

Dolly was different engine (1850) and rear wheel drive! The hydroelastic suspension meant lowering is easier ;) Just google to confirm that the system was designed by Moulton so there for IMO is awesome as are his bikes. Thing the system was wanting but got better by the Metro.

Makes no financial sense
Now that makes me laugh, lets not go there. It is not really valid with projects.

Looking at that list, if you are replacing the whole subframe won't it be complete with the gearbox driveshafts so it will be the six speed and it will connect to everything including the gear linkage so that it the easy bit. The T jet 1.4 comes in a few power ranges from 150-200, wonder what the actual differences are between the engine internals or just different turbo and intercooler and ECU management software. Off the top of my head wonder why the t jet engine ECU can't be used then I'm not sure how integrated the engine ECU is with the rest of the cars electronics.

After first hit on google https://www.revlimit.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39:abarth-grande-punto-td04-en&catid=648&lang=en&Itemid=126 267BHP!

Just emerged from my own allegro research wormhole!

1 Attachment

Yeah that was the 'hot' saloon answer to the gti....and it said it all. More cc but not more bhp.

VW/audi had 'clubs' that allowed people to play and develop in their own time and produced things like the golf gti and it was a whole new thing. Jag even had the famous saturday morning club. What did BL have? Internal arguments. But then the metro 6R4 came from that era. One of the most beautifully designed/engineered rally cars IMO. If you get a chance to look at a real one, look how and where they installed the roll cage. So neat that it shows that someone thought and made it so much more space efficient.

My sister had the estate version, it was a very capable and reliable vehicle in the time she had it, early 80s.
It was a lovely ride but a disaster, handling wise, when pushed at anything above sedate.

Proper Wagon.