Fiat Panda 4x4 Radwood Road Trip (2022: A Panda Odyssey)

I drove a 1993 Fiat Panda 4x4 to Radwood Austin, on a 400-mile road trip that seemed hopeless from the start. It’s a slow car, with 47 horsepower, on big highways surrounded by big trucks. But not only that, the condition of this car left us burdened by the looming threat of catastrophic failure.
IF YOU WANT TO SKIP THE INTRO, THE 'SUBSTANCE' STARTS AT 1:20 😆
Co-conspirators for this video:
Chris Perkins: www.roadandtrack.com/author/1...
Tom Radom: / monospecchio
Chris Nguyen: / analogdialog
Crystal Hammond: / crystalxashley
Jordan Remeljej: / modernaircooled
2021 article about Fiat Pandas I did for The Drive: www.thedrive.com/news/41803/t...
Lancia Delta Integrale washing machine t-shirt: capturingthemachine.com/produ...
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0:00 Intro (2001 tribute)
1:20 Video Starts
1:45 Fiat Panda background
3:22 The problem
5:49 Radwood Austin
7:45 The return
8:23 Good riddance
8:48 Thanks
9:52 Outro
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[@AlexTenThousand]

That's the strength of the Panda - just like the goddess it takes its name from (as, fun fact, "Panda" has nothing to do with the animal, it's the name of a minor Roman deity, protector of travellers), it WILL get you anywhere, even one that has been stored in sub-optimal conditions.

[@capturingthemachine]

Wow, I definitely learned something about the name, thanks for your comment!

[@jaywalker1233]

I’m on my 4th 4x4!🤣 It’s a Twinair (Mk4) and I love it. Previously owned a Mk3 and loved that too. Before that, a 4x4 Sisley with the fun gauges that warn you’re about to tip over just before you do. And the very first was the original 4x4 with removable deckchair seats. The original design was just so clever + functional, cute + chunky. Loved ‘em all

[@capturingthemachine]

Very cool, thanks for sharing this!

[@TrashHeapCustodian]

Joke's on you, I don't want that minute and fifteen back! ;)

[@capturingthemachine]

this is the best compliment I can get 😊

[@13Pandam]

Enjoyed that! I read your article on this car a while back and enjoyed that too. I’m a serial Panda collector, nine of which are the classic 4x4, and it’s good to see them being appreciated in the US. We’ve driven many long distance trips in them, the longest being 2000 miles to Italy and back in a 1985 45 with no issues whatsoever. We’ve also got a 69 Buick so like the big stuff too, well any car really so have now subscribed to see what else your channel produces. 👍

[@capturingthemachine]

Very cool, thanks for sharing, and thanks for subscribing! I think America is just now discovering the Panda, but it's making a good impression 😄

[@Nerdsrock22]

Glad I found this channel. Love it.

[@capturingthemachine]

Welcome aboard! I'm so glad you're here!

[@davidedinoi3468]

The Fiat Panda 4x4 is my secret dream car. I'm setting aside money to buy one in green colour Sisley model: it's an unstoppable vehicle, the pandatank!

[@capturingthemachine]

haha, for sure! An iconic car for good reason

[@tomfrazer5604]

I'm glad I saw this after I bought it. She's doing great now after a good service.

[@capturingthemachine]

Awesome to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@MEDVEEEED]

As a Panda owner, this was a pure love story.

[@capturingthemachine]

your comment made my day, cheers!

[@johnpala7782]

Seriously good car. Automotive genius.

[@heliogoncalvesdeoliveira80]

Que legal! 👍 Pena que não foi fabricado aqui no Brasil.🇧🇷

[@Barchetta]

This was hilarious and informative. Great video!

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks so much!

[@petersuchansky6703]

what was so informative on it?

[@johnpala7782]

I’ve got two here in the Channel Islanda. Most underrated car ever possibly. And if any of you Americans want to buy one and import to the States I’d let one go to a good home!

[@capturingthemachine]

Nice, I think you'll easily find some takers here!

[@seb_steimel]

yOu sHoULd hAVe sERviCeD tHe CaR beFORe gOinG oN a rOAd tRIp 🤣

[@capturingthemachine]

hahahaha - I can't believe someone watched to the end 😅

[@seb_steimel]

@@capturingthemachine I‘m glad I stumbled across your videos, man! Keep up the good work

[@capturingthemachine]

@@seb_steimel thanks so much!

[@andreasphotiou1886]

Great video and a fun adventure. I loved the intro! In Southern Europe these are used and abused like old donkeys

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks! I'm so glad you liked the intro, and 'old donkeys' is the perfect way to describe these cars 🤣

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Nobody does small better than the Italians. I didn't realize until recently that there was a twin cylinder version of the Panda 🐼.

[@capturingthemachine]

was that the air-cooled one?

[@hardslapshot]

I have a Panda 4x4 being delivered this summer and couldn't be more excited!

[@capturingthemachine]

oh hell yeah, that's amazing!

[@hardslapshot]

@@capturingthemachine By chance, do you happen to know what shipping company the owner used? I also live in Texas and am having a rough time finding a good shipping company. The vehicle is located in Belgium if that matters.

[@capturingthemachine]

@@hardslapshot I just know he uses a guy in Italy who only does local cars from that area 😕

[@hardslapshot]

@@capturingthemachine No worries! Just thought I would ask. Amazing video!

[@capturingthemachine]

@@hardslapshot thanks!

[@pdtech4524]

Brilliant adventure! I love driving my Panda I have the later gen 4x4 Antarctica model with the little 2 cylinder 875cc twinair engine. Such a fun car to drive, full of character, very practical and so economical to run. Although I did learn to drive in the classic shape Panda 🐼 I'm sure Doug DeMuro reviewed a similar Panda as yours recently, a country club model?🤔👍

[@capturingthemachine]

Very cool!

[@BookAutowerks]

Really enjoyed seeing the Panda at the show! I run the Austin FIAT Club, so if you ever bring it back into town please let me know.

[@capturingthemachine]

Oh that's awesome, and I'm glad you saw it! Maybe if the cooling system gets sorted out, by the time Radwood comes back to Austin I'll be ready for another go 😭

[@TPrange]

I'd hardly call that an adventure! Kidding, that looks like it was the perfect amount of fun and stress...if there is such a thing.

[@capturingthemachine]

hahahahahaha, thanks Travis! I was glad when it was over 🤣

[@nicolelongneckergallery]

Now that’s a proper car adventure. I remember when there were TWO Pandas at the garage… they are really attractive in the same way in the same way a cubist figure drawing is alluring. As for the coolant mud, disturbing it’s thixotropic properties with fresh water was not the smartest move. Scooping up some ditch water to add might have been a good choice.

[@capturingthemachine]

I lol'd about the ditch water. Thanks as always for watching and commenting, Brad!

[@1hunterdale]

all hell yea road trip

[@capturingthemachine]

😄

[@petersuchansky6703]

its weird cuz my 1997 panda still puts a smile on my face after all those years of abuse. no coolant or back door issue. Did you check oil level even once on that trip? I bet you would find significant loss of it throug that trip. It was oil in that coolant that made it chapuchino like which points to head gasket problem.

[@capturingthemachine]

Yes, this Panda failed through no fault of the car itself! The head was removed after the trip, and there was scoring on the block around the #1 cylinder that definitely didn't happen overnight, and probably had been there for a decade . The block and head were repaired, gasket replaced, and hopefully this Panda will be good for another 25 years. 😄

[@robertofrigerio9156]

Mitica panda😎👍👍👍👍

[@capturingthemachine]

😄🐼

[@unlearningcommunism4742]

Some lesser known Italian cars that are becoming "classics" and that could be interesting to import to US: Fiat Coupe (turbo version, that was not tuned by a 20 y.o.), Lancia Kappa Coupe (in dark cherry color), Alfa 155 Q4.

[@capturingthemachine]

I had to look these up - they're good! 😄

[@mccrackenphillip]

Ah Kaori's car in City Hunter

[@capturingthemachine]

wow I learned something!

[@camilodominguez1760]

Putting a 4X4 in an interstate is like using a porsche 911 as an off-road.

[@matej5226]

I think having 4x4 wont hurt it on interstate

[@VIJAYSANKAR]

Did you win Raddest in Show?

[@capturingthemachine]

I feel we deserved it, but no. We were "The People's Champion" (a made-up award that I invented just now)

[@CIANO0tico]

I’m questioning my life choices. I moved from Italy to USA without a Panda 4X4. They should not have let me in.

[@capturingthemachine]

hahahahaha, it's not too late! (is it?)

[@CIANO0tico]

@@capturingthemachine I’m planning to move back in 3-4 years. The American dream is not that appealing anymore…

[@capturingthemachine]

@@CIANO0tico can you take me with you?! 😭

[@danielsloan]

"Who writes this??" 😂

[@capturingthemachine]

that react was genuine!

[@DannyO_Munich]

I really like your videos but to be honest: it‘s a shame to call yourself an car enthusiast and to know nothing about how engines work. When the head gasket in the engine burns through, the coolant mixes up with the engine oil and washes out the lubricants. This can end up as a total damage of the engine. And that’s also the reason why the water looks like Nutella. You should leave the car in the garage and take another one. Sorry for my honesty and keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@capturingthemachine]

Haha, I appreciate the honesty and kind words. We checked the oil and it was fine, the car was never smoking. I believe the cooling system needs a serious refresh, but I don't think the head gasket is toast.

[@petersuchansky6703]

what are you so sorry? for the truth?

[@orsotoro2011]

nah, you good. Just get in a car and drive. Your prowess is your ability to adapt and thrive. Also read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance...... at least you didn't bring your son!!

[@capturingthemachine]

😂