FIAT PANDA BIANCA 1000 CL
ENGINE 999cc/4-cyl/OHC POWER 44bhp@4800rpm TORQUE 56lb ft@2750rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 86mph 0-60MPH 15.7sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 39-52mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, four-speed manual MoT September 2021 ODOMETER 57,205 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Frankly, it’s superb. It drives like it has just emerged from the showroom, as you’d expect from something with a 1500mile engine and fully-sorted suspension, having been restored in 2014. The engine starts easily and runs well, even from cold, with choke. And while 45bhp isn’t a lot of power to play with, Pandas are so light and small that they always feel spirited and enthusiastic. This one steers and stops just as well as it goes, and has no rattles, creaks or unwelcome noises. In fact, the only fault we noticed was an erratic fuel gauge needle, which will be looked at before sale.
BODYWORK CHECK
Wow, it’s white. That includes the bumpers, grille and wheel trims. The result is a very monochrome machine. And one that is in as-new condition. There’s no hint of corrosion, not a sign of a stone chip, and there are no scuffs on the bumpers or wheels. The chassis has been undersealed with Bilt Hamber clear coating in body-coloured areas, such as the rear arches, and the cavities wax-injected.
EXTERIOR
Next to no blemishes anywhere
INTERIOR
Sparse, but nothing amiss Everything works
MECHANICALS
Faultess being fresh from resto
There’s the option to fit a rear screen wiper; one is included in the sale; the owner just hasn’t got around to fitting it. Tyres are Uniroyal Rain Expert 145 R13s; they’re dated 2010 but look as fresh as everything else.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The interior upholstery is white with grey checks and extends to the door card inserts and characteristic fabric parcel shelf with its sliding ashtray. The period-appropriate Audioline 426 radio/cassette player (with auxiliary socket) functions as it should and there’s an accessory centre console, too. The interior is in lovely order, and while there’s one tiny tear on the driver’s seat, everything else is very clean and intact.
The carpets, too, are practically unmarked, save for a bit of shoe wear by the clutch pedal. The vulnerable plastic sunroof catches are fine and all controls and warning lights work, save for the handbrake indicator lamp.
UNDER THE BONNET
This is one of those engines that you could eat your dinner off, with the unused Uniroyal spare tyre as a handy plate. It’s about as close to spotless as a working engine bay can get, and being white, it’s not exactly easy to hide grime. Even the distributor cap is finished in the pale shade and the ‘tool kit’ (a tyre iron and screwdriver) is still attached to the screenwash reservoir. Fluids are healthy and there’s no evidence of DIY tinkering.
THE CCW VIEW
The coronavirus situation has stranded the owners of this Panda (which featured in CCW earlier this month ) overseas so it is being sold to raise money. Its overall condition is remarkable; it must be one of the best surviving examples. And with only six Biancas left in the UK, it’s rare, too.
1990, 55500 miles, £2495, Totally original throughout, very well cared for, very well equiped, huge amount of service history, long MoT, drives very well, matching tyres. 07435 264691, Norwich 1993, 150,000 miles, £1,495, good condition throughout, in daily use, 10 months MoT owned for last 10 years, please call for more information 01787 237749, Essex 1972, 35,000 miles, £9,750, Open to offers, My car 17yrs. Time for others to refresh & enjoy. Hood & interior worn but mostly v good otherwise. Suspension & exhaust upgrade, carb engine & ‘o’ drive box. Priced to sell. 07722 388068, 024 76679634, west Midlands 1934, 32000 miles, £15500, Very Rare, ready to show and use, runs and drives a dream, very good original condition, history. 01775 766753, Spalding