Why The Original Fiat Panda Is A Design Masterpiece - Part 2: The Panda Supernova

The original #Fiat #Panda enjoyed a remarkably long production run, as 23 years went by between its launch in March of 1980 and September of 2003 when the last example rolled off the Mirafiori assembly line.
At first glance, it may seem the Panda hardly changed over all those years, but appearances can be deceiving. #Giugiaro
1986 was a landmark year in the Panda's long run, as the original model was superseded by a substantially redesigned one known as "Supernova," although that name was never used commercially.
This 1991 Panda Super was pretty much the top-of-the-range model, featuring such decadent luxuries as a clock, larger door trims, and even an ashtray for the rear passengers. Well, I think it's fair to say this is no ordinary Panda. It belongs to my friend Jim Magill, who's become quite famous on the internet as a lover of small Fiats and adventure. Combine the two things and what you get is a very well-traveled Panda, one that's been in places most people wouldn't go even with a Land Cruiser.
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[@mattbettany1174]

I remember when my Aunt swapped her 126 Bis for a Panda Sergio Tacchini edition . The dark metallic grey with bright green interior was really cool and quite upmarket for a Panda at the time . She would pick me up from school in it and I’d get laughed at but only by kids who didn’t understand great styling 😉

[@Matteo_Licata]

That Panda was a big step upwards from the 126, by the way! I remember well the Sergio Tacchini edition, but it's a very long time since I last saw one. Perhaps my favorite Panda is the "Cafè" edition: it was metallic brown with tan interior and tan canvas sunroof :)

[@nmarecords6070]

Panda is one of my favourite cars of all time we had one when i was a kid

[@JuanManuelTastzian]

I'm so glad I get to see my good friends Jim and Matteo together 🤩

[@darrenwilson8042]

The minute I saw the test car I thought - " That will be Jim Magills" - sooooooo familiar with him and the car via Twitter

[@Matteo_Licata]

It’s been great to meet Jim again here in Turin, the last time we met had been back in 2019! Hope we’ll meet again sooner this time 👍

[@JuanManuelTastzian]

@@Matteo_Licata I'm so glad you could meet and film as well! The video turned out great and I hope I can meet both of you in the future! 🤩

[@Suprahampton]

Growing up in the early 90's in South London, Fiat Panda's, Uno's & Tipo's were everywhere

[@Matteo_Licata]

That's great to know. It was the same in Turin, but that was obvious, being Fiat's hometown :)

[@gorkab8461]

Maybe the Tipo can one day have its own video, Matteo? The sedici valvole was tasty.

[@coldcathode76477]

The “red Alfa alert” deserves a special 👍

[@Matteo_Licata]

It does. That 33 1.7 QV was a stunner. I chatted with the owner, and I hope I've convinced him to let me film it for a future video... Fingers crossed :)

[@petedenton9434]

I did love my 1990 Panda 1000S. In some ways I wish I still had it now.

[@andynixon2820]

Smaller fiat's of this era Uno , panda and punto are an absolute joy to drive .

[@nickfoord712]

Had a Panda 750 fire as a hire car on Corfu in 1992. Great fun and my friend was locking the brakes just before the hairpin bends.

[@user-ur2kn8qy5t]

The white panda here has a Northern Irish registration.

[@thealso]

It's from Ballymena

[@jameskrell4392]

I had eleven of them, from the woefully underpowered 700cc to a 4x4. The 1000cc fire engine was a gem. Unfortunately some rusted badly but they were great little cars. I ran them myself and bought and sold them and they were very easy to sell. A farmer bought the 4x4 and he claimed in snow with a bail of straw in the back it could tackle snowy hills that a Range Rover would baulk at.

[@chrisheartman9263]

I'm not surprised. The thing's so light that the car needs very little strength to get over even the steepest inclines and the most uneven and bumpy of dirt roads. I myself just saw what a Panda can do, and you can easily loose a modern car on these kinds of roads. In short: the original Fiat Panda is a Dex build car.

[@neilmustow368]

Great to see a right hand drive surviving Panda

[@___Steinn___]

Magnifficent cars! I have a 1993 Seat Marbella as a summer fun car. They're almost all gone, here in germany. It's the only one on almost every classic car meet.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The Seat Marbella is an interesting sidenote to the Panda story that I’d really like to make a video about. But, as you’ve said, finding survivors is a challenge. Italy is full of Pandas, but the Marbellas are all gone.

[@___Steinn___]

@@Matteo_Licata I'd appreciate a professional video about the Marbellas history, since nobody did it before in english. The Marbella is like the pure Panda experience, because it's like an early Panda with leaf springs, ohv engine and the hammock rear seat.

[@GarajeMaldizer]

Yes, the steering is light 😄 as Colin Chapman says “The weight is our enemy”

[@maxikozi77]

Great car. Good to see the author too! Kudos for Alfa 33 alert :D

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@rabit818]

Although we did not have the Panda in the US, I find it a handsome car. It’s one of those ‘honesty in design’ phenomenon. Lean and nothing complicated. We need a panda bear on the seat, otherwise es perfecto.

[@MicrobyteAlan]

Long ago, it seems, renting Pandas in Italy when flying in on business. Thanks again.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Here in Italy these Pandas are still plentiful on the road today, 20 years after the last one was made!

[@_autoverse]

I’ve seen countless pics of this particularly iconic Panda but I didn’t realise how good the restoration was until seeing the car in your video.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The bodyshop did a great job indeed, it's as good as new Pandas were from the factory: I know because I remember them well :)

[@gearhead9828]

Truly iconic car, I like the sports air cleaner fitted. Very cool video, thanks Matteo! Ciao 🙋‍♂️

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! Jim told me that filter was a necessity, as the intake pipes and air box of the 2006 donor car didn't fit under the bonnet :)

[@ralphhargesheimer1230]

Ich hatte einen Panda mit 34 PS und einen Alfa 33 mit 87 PS tolle Autos 😀👍

[@mattbettany1174]

Hey Matteo, you just got a shout on Harry’s Garage 🙌🏻

[@Matteo_Licata]

Holy moly! Really? That's a dream come true :) I'll go check out immediately!

[@GordonMoat]

How cool it would be for FIAT to bring back a modern version of this.

[@seybertooth9282]

There is a modern version, it's just not from Fiat. 😉

[@GordonMoat]

@@seybertooth9282 Who makes that?

[@martijnkosters9024]

@@seybertooth9282 the Garage Italia one?

[@OliverPickard]

I always love your voice over

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you very much :) My voice has proven a divisive issue here on KZbin: people either love it or hate it. Thankfully, plenty of people seem to love it!

[@Steve-gc5nt]

A shame that we can't have such cheap and straight forward cars now. Oh, and I loved the Y10. Great little drive.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Yes, we could definitely use a bit simpler, smaller cars than those we have today. The Y10 is definitely a future video subject, as soon as I find an owner willing to spend a couple of hours showing it to me :)

[@darrenwilson8042]

In between a few Uno's I had a Mk1 and a Supervova 45S - Later on I even bought a brand new SEAT Marbella - all were very capable motors

[@neilmustow368]

@@ProjectExMachina Loved my Mk 1 Uno 45 ES Super first 1983 model back in 1992 when I was aged 18 many replacement panels which made it last till 1997

[@Zocky73166]

after all these years this model makes me I turn my head when I see him, it is more interesting than most of new cars, it is something in this small car that is time resistant

[@studiocalder818]

Because here form follows function in a way dictated by good taste

[@christiansanden8005]

Fantastic car, best i ever owned❤❤❤

[@tjshill82]

Superb example! Love the story behind this one

[@mrbwa1]

Been waiting for the is one for a while! Glad it put a smile on your face.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! It’s been great to see Jim again

[@paullacey2999]

We hired a black one in Greece many years ago,what an awesome little car it was!

[@mikebaginy8731]

My sister owned a black Panda which I regularly washed and serviced. I enjoyed the tight turning radius but always struggled with the lack of power brakes. I preferred my 131 Miafiori which I enjoyed until rust made me part with it, but the 131 wasn't a compact.

[@neilmustow368]

My Parents owned all 3 variants of the 131 Miafiori saloons were well loved cars I have great memories of them when I was a youngster👍

[@marcus_t_ward]

Another wonderful video Matteo. Having had 2 Pandas you could say I have a soft spot for them. 😂👍

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! 👍 :)

[@martbeth5490]

I learned to drive in one of these - loved it!

[@minopino3]

Nice video. Again! My friend his parents had 1 volkwagen golf 2 from 1985 (his father) and a bleu fiat panda from 1990 (his mother) we wanted to travel to Amsterdam, but it was 150 km away, so his father hand over de volkswagen keys 😂😂😂😂😂 i told him that i wil drive the panda, you should see his face 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 he never understood! Oh yeah, nice detail about that red alfa 33 in the video 👍🏼

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thanks for sharing this memory! That 33 was a stunner, in immaculate condition. I chatted with the owner, and I hope he'll let me film it one day :)

[@minopino3]

@@Matteo_Licata we see, let's hope that

[@MLC...]

Very nice that Jim let you drive it! I like that perspective in the videos as well.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! 👍 Jim is a friend, and it's been fun to sample a classic Panda for the first time! Unfortunately, I rarely have the opportunity of driving the classics I film. Owners are rightfully jealous and protective of their pride and joy, I understand them!

[@paulwlynch]

Another fabulous video Matteo... And perhaps another book to add to your catalogue. I met Jim many years ago when he stopped in Falkirk at a car meet with his Tempra . A lovely and passionate Fiat owner..

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool that you've met Jim too :) With my books, I strive to cover subjects that haven't yet had attention... And the Panda story has been well covered so far, I don't think I could do better. Right now I'm busy with my Lancia Gamma book project, then we'll see...

[@paulwlynch]

@@Matteo_Licata I look forward to reading it. Lancia is a company dear to my heart as my Uncle owned quite a few before they left the UK market..

[@SferaChannel]

Panda forever! ✌️

[@cynthiagoldman-steinway80]

Another GREAT video clip - well done!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@BanjoLuke1]

You've covered the Panda before and this is another lovely video. I love the idea of a Panda with 60bhp. That is just enough to be interesting, without being too ambitious. Like driving a Dyane (32bhp) after a 2cv4 (25bhp). A little more can be a lot more. The Panda is one of those cars that defies fashion and then becomes somehow a fashion. Like the original Twingo, the 2cv and others. Just as with the nuova 500 so many years before, this was an Italian car made for Italian roads and streets. Just as the DS and CX were always happier on French tarmac, so the Panda wants to be in Verona or Bologna. Or (as a 4x4) screaming in an impossibly low gear up an absurdly steep slope on the Alps; slowly but successfully. A wonderful, wonderful car.... and a video that brings a smile.

[@BanjoLuke1]

The secret of small cars.... The best Citroen AX (another slice of genius) was the 1.0 litre, 45bhp model. 5-speed would have been nice, but even with four it was the nicest drive. Narrow tyres, unassisted steering, no mass. An engine that wanted to work and wanted to rev. Perfection!

[@MAtogable]

Maybe this is the reason why these little things sell for no less than €5.000. While living in Sondrio I wanted to find a decent priced one and couldn't get anything, needless to say you don't get a fidanzata without a Panda. Guess why I left? Modern classic

[@Matteo_Licata]

Well, if you must have a 4x4, yes, 5k is the entry level for a good one. But fwd Pandas can be had for less

[@Tourist1967]

I must take issue with one thing. The steering wheel on the right is right - not wrong!

[@93TIAGO]

Very beautiful. Panda fan! 🐼😍🐼

[@DanielCurti]

Love the original one. A collectable car along with the lovely first Twingo series. And the Ford Ka. And...

[@Matteo_Licata]

Couldn't agree more! If I could (and I wish I could) set up an Automobile Design Museum, it'd include all three ;)

[@linoabreu5477]

Fire engine, amazing engine, do you have any video or history about them? I would love to know more about this engines behind the scenes

[@Matteo_Licata]

Not yet. It is an amazing history indeed, and such a long one that it may need a full-fat documentary, that's why I haven't covered it yet!

[@linoabreu5477]

That will be awsome and thanks for all amazing videos...every day learning more👍

[@lorenzofabbri9433]

.... Tra il 1984 ed il 2017 , ne abbiamo avute due, una 45 S ( 1984) ed una Hobby ( 900 I. e. del 1999) e possiamo proprio dire che rispecchiavano la famosa pubblicità degli anni 80 :

[@macacoeletrico2963]

Another great vídeo Matteo! I’d love to see a work about another boxy Car, perhaps the great one: the Maserati Quattroporte III

[@Matteo_Licata]

That would be cool! I'm preparing something that involves such a car for the near future... Watch this space ;)

[@aureliobrighton1871]

Lovely impressions from both ... the more recent past and the accomodating side of the Alps .. this particular Panda might also easily lift you up the Monte Circeo . ;)

[@lr_s3102]

Great video, really interesting :) I want an original Panda now!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Happens to me every time, I know the feeling: I cover a car, and then I'm off to the classifieds looking for one to buy :) Thank you for watching and welcome on board!

[@lr_s3102]

@@Matteo_Licata You're welcome! :)

[@gazzaman28]

My first car was a 1989 1000S which I bought in about 97 or 98, I think. It was a great little car.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

That’s lovely - surely it’s time for FIAT to reimagine the original Panda as a city EV?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you :) Well, I think it's not a bad idea, at all. It would work, I'm sure!

[@Siccher]

I love it at 3:20 when you say the steering wheel is on the wrong side 🤣👍 I do so much love italian cars. I wanna go there some some day, or even better, drive downthere in my Giulia. BTW where have your video of the Lancia Thema gone? Have found one for sale who doesn't look to bad, so I kinda dream of that one these days.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! 😃 I've set the Thema video to "private" because it had severe audio issues and it was kind of embarassing... But this means I'll have to film a Thema and make a video about this model "properly"... Watch this space ;) Which Giulia model do you have? And which Thema are you looking at? I'm curious now :)

[@Siccher]

@@Matteo_Licata Thank you for your answer. My Giulia only is the basic 150hp diesel from 2017. I owned a 159 Sportwagon from 2012 to april this year wich I adored. It was fantastic to drive and unbelievable reliable, but unfortunately I was the innocent in a car crash so I lost that one :( The 150hp diesel was the only one I could afford since I live in Norway, and being a carenthusiast here is a nightmare since cars are so ridiculously expencive. But I love this one too, AND it has the real Alfa rosso color so it looks so beautiful. The Thema I've have looked at is a 1993 3,0 V6 LS. It's my second favorite Lancia after the mighty Delta HF Integrale, and this is a lot more affordable :) It doesn't look to have any rust, and it is mechanically in very good conditions. There are two things that holds me back though. First I'm not very mechanically skilled (wich in my mind I think I should be owning one), and second (and the biggest reason) I don't have a garage to park it in. Would have loved to park it inside at the wintertime wich feels is almost half the year here :)

[@Matteo_Licata]

Wow, 1993 means it’s a late Alfa-engined model. Excellent choice. If the car is in good working order and the price is right, it’ll be a very enjoyable classic. But yes, have a garage would definitely help in preserving it and avoid problems.

[@iminsideyourwalls9432]

That's my mom's first car.

[@peterkleinveld9705]

The Panda 4x4 sisley is the one i would like to own.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Yes, it's probably the smartest-looking Panda of all

[@peterkleinveld9705]

@@Matteo_Licata Or a Panda from Poste Italiane

[@Matteo_Licata]

@@peterkleinveld9705 Trust me, you don't want one of those... I doubt any survive, as those were driven to the ground fairly quickly by careless, ham-fisted Poste drivers!

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

A true masterpiece that was affordable. Personally also like the 500 and Renault 4 and 5.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Sooner or later, they'll all be featured on the channel :)

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

@@Matteo_Licata I got a weakspot for the R4.

[@cancracker]

Looks like a very simple utility car.

[@Marco-iy7lt]

Fun fact: the UK number plate is also a private reg.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Didn’t know that! Thank you

[@Marco-iy7lt]

@@Matteo_Licata it's alright mate. I'm a Brit, so we had two different ways that the plates worked for many years

[@wickiezulu]

Can never really appreciate the original Fiat Panda beyond possibly the 4x4 and more interesting coachbuilt SEAT derivatives, at least due to their potential of further broadening its appeal in the case of the latter (even if they are not a dynamic improvement). Would have preferred a Fiat city car maybe based on a SWB Uno platform that carries over the more squat sporty stance seen in the original Uno 3-door, perhaps it would have even made an interesting basis for a rebodied A-Segment "World Car" similar to how the original Fiat Palio’s basic chassis was said to be a development of the Uno’s (unless a closer link exists between the Uno and Polish built Cinquecento / Seicento beneath the surface).

[@paulmeester5401]

Where is the video made? I think i recognize it from a Lancia advertisement...

[@Matteo_Licata]

The place is the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, a former royal residence that's now a park and a museum. Lovely place to film, I've also shot the 75 TS there ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF68YnmEnr2IsJI

[@jyzzzy]

Do you know how many Fiat Panda Alessi`s have been manufactured? I have not found that information anywhere. Maybe some day you make a video about all different Panda verions? Thank you for your great videos.

[@Matteo_Licata]

A good question I don't have an answer for, sadly. Judging by the wording of Fiat's period press releases, production of the Panda Alessi wasn't limited to a specific number of units, and (but that's speculation on my part) if there's nothing in their chassis number sequence to separate them from ordinary Pandas, we may never know precisely how many Panda Alessi were made. Thank you for your appreciation, a video about special Pandas is a good idea indeed, I'll see what I can do!

[@farankhan7461]

Another beautiful and absorbing video. In this you mentioned about rust. Why Fiat was unable to control rusting issues even as late as 1990.?. You are an expert, is it that difficult to control?. If Italian neighbours could do it why not they themselves?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you very much for your appreciation. Well... Although I can call myself an expert about Italian cars, I don't have a detailed knowledge about the production processes and materials used in each of the various sites where Pandas have been manufactured over the years, so I can't give you a precise, definitive answer. In more general terms, I can tell you from my experience here in Italy that Fiat did make great strides in rust protection between the late 80s and 90s, and 90s Fiats here in Italy rarely show any rust, unless they've lived long and hard lives in mountain regions where roads are salted regularly. But in the UK it seems that everything rusts away, sooner or later! :)

[@farankhan7461]

@@Matteo_Licata Thanks for your reassuring reply. being an Italian car fan i can sleep better now

[@RobinCapper]

I prefer the purity of the original but many more of this era were sold in NZ. If I get to drive, or own, a Panda most likely it will be a 'Supernova 1 or 2'.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The first one is the design icon, Giugiaro's vision as pure as it could get, so it's inevitably cooler. But the later models are cool too, and better cars all around.

[@___Steinn___]

I personally like the middle way. In a Seat Marbella, you get a refreshed look, combined with the original technical layout. 😉✌

[@farankhan7461]

Sir how about a video on Fiat Panda Cross

[@oliveroneill1388]

Was the sun roof original or after market . Nice job . The panda 🐼 giving the Teddy bear 🧸 a spin

[@Matteo_Licata]

The sunroof is an aftermarket one, as the original would have been in two sections.

[@jimmyj1969]

Question: Why ALL italian cars (and even italian-spec european cars) had vent windows on the front doors from early 1960s until early 1980s? Was some kind of italian regulation or something? Vent windows were popular around the world back then, but still, many models didn't have them - but not in Italy!

[@Matteo_Licata]

It wasn't mandated by law, but it indeed was very common. Back then, a lot of people smoked, and smokers found the vent windows quite handy.

[@herby4215]

What about the 4 x 4 version

[@raufsahin334]

Heyy a Red 33 Spotted ... ...A Very unique car the Panda 🐼 Is...Just like a giulietta with a V6 Engine ...

[@Matteo_Licata]

That red 33 was a stunner... I chatted with the owner, I hope I convinced him to let me film his car for a future video... Fingers crossed! :)

[@raufsahin334]

@@Matteo_Licata Cant Wait To See it..and Many Thnks Matteo ..

[@wickiezulu]

Recently discovered Fiat were working on a project called Bino and Trino, claimed to be part of a synergistic programme to replace the Panda together with the Uno and Y10. However Bino/Trino were cancelled with only the Punto and Y reaching production. Were Bino and Trino to be based on the Punto or the Uno, making them Palio derivatives? Find it strange Fiat developed them and the Cinquecento to replace the Panda and 126, as opposed to one model capable of replacing both cars.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I'm afraid I can't tell you anything about such projects, as the only information ever published about them were speculative magazine articles in period

[@wickiezulu]

Have seen some online images of what appear to be various Bino proposals (after the Panda replacement was canned from Trino), along with a sketch.

[@mfnd502]

I imagined an older, bushy white hair and moustachioed man in a tweed suit jacket when I hear your voice.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Well, I’m happy to be younger than I sound then :)

[@user-rh8hc9gy7d]

Cool design, because rational.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed!

[@herby4215]

They made italia 90 version

[@adarbs6384]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tarikwildman]

Why not focus on the original design from 1980 which was the original and pure design?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Because I did just that in another video, enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKUopR_aceHhrc

[@nlpnt]

Was it strange to drive a right-hand-drive UK spec Italian car in Italy?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Not really! Driving on the other side of the car it's not an issue, at least for me. But when I drove in the UK, remembering to stay on the other side of the road and navigating junctions did take some mental adjustment.

[@dave9t5]

I want to comment about the denim Ray Bans. This is the comment.

[@runoflife87]

Believe it or not but this generation Panda was proposed to the USSR as a car to assemble in Yelabuga. Well according to the interior I don't think this car could've been a great success.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I had no idea Fiat proposed the Panda to the USSR!

[@runoflife87]

@@Matteo_Licata yep, that was in 1987-88 AFAIK.

[@tonimunozgonzalez]

I had a SEAT Panda for a year; it was a terrible experience. Maybe FIAT was better than SEAT

[@MIRANDAFONSO]

Such lovely video wlith so many real examples! Cheers! I want ONE! DM Please: not to bind or argue: to buy! I m converted.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you enjoyed the video, thank you!

[@kallebdasilvalima8981]

I know the brother of Fiat panda its Fiat uno

[@oliveroneill1388]

Love this panda . 🐼...... the new one has no perspective