The Quirky Little Fiat Panda Cabriolet

Europe has a wealthy historical past of small automobiles designed to carry mobility to the plenty. This began shortly after WWII when provides had been brief and funds had been just about non-existent. Nevertheless, folks wished, no, wanted an affordable and easy type of transport to get from A to B and again once more. The reply was the so-called micro automobile, a lot of which have became cult-like little machines. The place the UK had the Mini, and France gave us the 2CV as the final word folks movers, Italy had the Fiat 500 (and the Iso Isetta, Piaggio Ape, Autobianchi Bianchina and so forth). Even in later years, the small Italian hatchback proved extremely popular, with automobiles just like the Fiat Panda being constructed nicely within the thousands and thousands! However one thing easy and purposeful will also be one thing cool, not less than if the Italians (or French) have their way! Simply have a look at this 1991 Fiat Panda Cabriolet, for example, a automobile that’s rarer and extra sensible than a Ferrari!

The Fiat Panda was the successor to the Fiat 126, which in flip served because the alternative of the Fiat 500. These three little automobiles have actually put thousands and thousands of individuals on the highway and have grown into icons of the motoring business. Admittedly, the Fiat 500 is by far probably the most beloved of the three, with its cute appears to be like and historical past of superstar clientele. However don’t diminish the legacy of the 126 and the Panda! In whole, Fiat constructed 3.8 million of the five hundred between 1957 and 1975, 4.6 million 126s between 1972 and 2000, and 4.5 million first-gen Panda. The five hundred and the Panda have additionally been introduced again as retro-inspired compact automobiles, to nice success!

The Fiat Panda was launched in 1980 and was a boxy little factor penned by Giorgietto Giugiaro, the mastermind behind automobiles just like the Iso Griffo, Maserati Ghibli, BMW M1, Lotus Esprit, and so forth. He’s additionally designed the DMC Delorean, and the Volkswagen Golf MK1, by far his largest industrial success. The design temporary for Giugiaro’s creation of Fiat’s subsequent inexpensive metropolis automobile specified a container-like form with a spartan however spacious inside. what Fiat launched on the 1980 Geneva Motor Present, the Panda grew to become simply that: a small, boxy automobile with house for 4 adults and a dependable engine up entrance. And enjoyable reality: it’s not named after the cuddly Panda bear, however moderately after Empanda, the Roman goddess and patroness of travellers.

The little automobile grew to become so in style that it remained in manufacturing just about unchanged for nearly 23 years. It was facelifted in 1986 after which once more in 1991, however that’s just about it. Fiat additionally constructed a few totally different variations, together with the ultra-cool Panda 4×4 and even a Jolly! The Fiat Panda Cabriolet on the market over at My Mini Revolution, although, left the manufacturing unit in 1991 as a regular Panda. In actual fact, Fiat by no means constructed a convertible Panda, so that is the work of an Italian coachbuilder who, in line with Traditional Driver, remodeled and homologated it. When precisely, nevertheless, stays a thriller.

Chopping the roof of any automobile often isn’t the best factor to do, particularly when mentioned automobile was by no means designed to grow to be a convertible in any respect. It removes structural rigidity, tremendously affecting a automobile’s security and dealing with. To avoid this challenge, a roll bar has been put in, however apart from that, the plucky Panda stays pretty unchanged. It’s been restored high to backside, with a refurbished engine and mechanics, a newly upholstered inside and a contemporary set of tyres. That features the spare one, which is saved within the entrance, on high of the engine. Completed in deep black and with gray Alcantara entrance and rear seats, it appears to be like all set for some superb enjoyable up and down Italy’s well-known Amalfi coast. It’s a must to hope for picture-perfect climate situations, although, because the smooth high that comes doesn’t look all that sturdy, and fairly truthfully, it’s a problem to put in!

This specific automobile has nearly 130,000 kilometres on the clock, which doesn’t sound like a lot in comparison with its 33 years of age. It’s listed for EUR 19,900 over at My Mini Revolution, which truthfully makes it a mode cut price should you ask me! What higher to point out up at your native cars-and-coffee with one thing rarer and arguably cooler than, oh, let’s say, a red Ferrari F40! Plus, the actual fact it matches into any parking house, can navigate the narrowest of streets and won’t value you an arm, leg and kidney within the course of additionally makes it way more sensible in my e-book!

Apart from this quirky little Panda, My Mini Revolution additionally has an equally loveable rear-engined 1991 Fiat 126 Bis Pop on the market! Being the successor to the effortlessly cool Fiat 500, the 126 Bis Pop most likely gives simply as a lot enjoyable because the Panda however places the engine within the again! This, too, is listed for a value of EUR 19,900, and the automobile has simply 19,000km on the odometer and appears to be in immaculate situation. So the query is: is it Panda or 126? Cabriolet or Bis Pop? It’s as much as you, however I’d go for the Panda, personally!

For extra info, please go to ClassicDriver.com or MyMiniRevolution.com.

Editorial Observe: The data and pictures used for this text are sourced from and used with permission of ClassicDriver.com and MyMiniRevolution.com except said in any other case.