Why The Original Fiat Panda Is A Design Masterpiece

This video covers the story of the earliest Fiat Panda models, those built between 1980 and 1986.
Giorgetto #Giugiaro is, without a doubt, the most influential car designer in history, with a back catalog that includes the Lotus Esprit and the De Lorean DMC-12. Yet, the great man considers the humble Fiat #Panda his favorite project of all. The charm of the original Panda stems from its pure, single-minded #design approach. One of those rare industrial design objects possessing a unique beauty that originates from their fitness for purpose.
Check out the Panda Quaranta Facebook page:
/ panda.quaranta.54
The exclusive merchandise you can buy to support my channel: teespring.com/stores/roadster...
My automotive books:
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
www.amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985 www.amazon.com/dp/1983393746
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 www.amazon.com/dp/1656632500

[@The-Rectifier]

Definitely one of the most versatile cars ever built. My wife drove a red 45 ( first gen 1981), unbelievable but that little shoebox was our home whilst our roadtrip from Belgium to the Nordkapp( Norwegian) till Pozallo( Sicily) and back to Belgium. Never did we have more fun in life. 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@Matteo_Licata]

Very cool story! You must have tons of memories from such an epic trip!

[@The-Rectifier]

@@Matteo_Licata . Absolutely , a once in a lifetime experience

[@BasedMan]

Ill be buying a Seat Marbella (Spanish Panda) as my first car tomorrow! 900cc 42hp injected engine, with 5 speed manual. FWD only sadly, but it should be cheap and cheerful! 710kg, absolute go kart on turns lol. Or as far as the tiny wheels will allow.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

@@BasedMan enjoy!!! So much more fun than a new car

[@Nellis202]

Wow ! Norway to Sicily, that was quite a trek 😅

[@zx7rzx7r25]

Yes, a design classic, the minimalist beauty of the Panda lies in the clever simplicity and rationality of Giugiaro's design.

[@ollieoneill5961]

The simply design and function was a gift for a lot of people . still used in wine vineyards for harvest and collecting .

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

Basic, Reliable, and Charming, what more do you want. Like the Nissan Micra, a true spiritual successor to the Mini.

[@zx7rzx7r25]

@@jon-paulfilkins7820 Absolutely!

[@chrisc.9627]

For my opinion the 1st Gen Twingo is a real the true heiress descendant, concerning modularity, cheap price, and the possibilty to "sleep" into when you are young and no money to invite your GF have a little rest 😜

[@acquire8658]

The Panda 4x4 is probably the most rational car ever made and its awesome.

[@C64Lover]

Not many similars cars to compare with, first which comes to my mind is suzuki swift/geo metro 4x4 variant sold as subaru justy if I recall correctly

[@cancracker]

The Panda seems to have pioneered the concept of the compact crossover which is quite popular now 😆

[@chrisc.9627]

Especially with 4x4 very popular in French Alps after 1500m alt. Unfortunately...always same story (for 1st Gen) R U S T

[@chrtsi6912]

Fiat's little 🐼 is a true representative of affordable mobility for the masses! ❤️🤍💚 What i like most in Giugiaro is how his life-long sketch concerning cars reached its pinnacle at Brera concept!

[@hugobloemers4425]

Back in the days, a friend of mine had a Panda 45 and it was relatively quick in town, much to the frustration of owners of heavier cars that would look down on it.

[@jochenkreusel131]

That was quite typical for Fiats in these days. They may have been limited in top speed, but you never felt slow in them!

[@nessuno5403]

A mention to Steyr-Puch, as suppliers of the 4x4 drivetrain made in Austria, was warranted and is missing!

[@stephanvelines7006]

I learned to love the Fiat Panda when I visited rural Italy in my childhood years 🇮🇹 you can still find many examples being used and maintained as daily drivers. Especially the 4x4 models have a purposeful beauty about them.

[@jochenkreusel131]

Two years ago we were at Lake Garda - and we were surprised how many original Pandas we met (of course, not many of the very early series, but anyhow). On one day we decided to count the old and the current ones (and there are plenty of these as well) But between Malcesine and Torri del Benaco the winner was - guess what ;-) . It's obvious that the little box has classic status now (well deserved!).

[@synix7311]

Today I’m in Italy and I’m 16 for holidays. And I see them all over here. I would like to have one by myself for my first car.😍

[@TimGi1]

One of the greatest small cars of all time 😉

[@rahmanoff]

Used to drive one of these with 1000cc Fire Engine. It was a beast! =)

[@richardholland7653]

So funny - i hated the panda as a kid in the UK in the 1980s. It really wasn't cool. Then on holiday in 2019, I was catching a boat from menaqgio, lake como and there was a original 4x4 panda in green. I couldn't stop looking at it while waiting for the boat to arrive! Beautiful car and now very cool 😎

[@arx3516]

Yeah, it wasn't cool, but when you grow up you start to appreciate its pure utilitarianism.

[@frazzleface753]

The Panda owner at the end is so right - this little car has heart and soul, and so much character - 'a box of emotions'.

[@Falcone-en4wl]

Thanks Matteo, since you stated Panda's ancestor as a concept was the Renault 4 please make a video even for that French masterpiece.

[@dinknillson6229]

Oh yes please do.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I definitely will, as soon as I'll find a nice one to film :) By the way... Filming another Italian classic tomorrow... #tease

[@dinknillson6229]

@@Matteo_Licata Cool my friend.

[@svenwesterlund3405]

Love those small cars, had two 4X4.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Very cool! Was it fun to drive around in them?

[@svenwesterlund3405]

@@Matteo_Licata Yes, fantastic off roading.

[@svenwesterlund3405]

@@Matteo_Licata facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=512275138783287&set=pb.100000024170998.-2207520000..&type=3

[@BanjoLuke1]

This car is simply a wonder on wheels. The history details you add are excellent. I always saw it as the real successor to the A-Series Citroëns. Cheap panels covering a utilitarian minimum of fittings. Even the "deckchair" seating mirrors the 2CV. Likewise the flat glass in every window. We didn't have the 30 in the UK, but I saw them on my travels. The first ones (half grille) were the purest and thus the best of the 2wd models. This funny little box on wheels has a place on my very, very short list of cars I would buy today for a "perfect" collection. Excellent video. Lots of detail. I am now back in nostalgia mode and shall stay here as long as I can... Thanks for posting.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you very much for your appreciation. I agree with you, I'd pick an early 30 like the one in the video, if I had to build a collection. That's why I've kept the video focused on these models... The rest of the Panda's story will duly be featured whenever I'll get to film a more recent example.

[@avtomad722]

A box full of emotions. It certainly is! This is what FIAT is best at, simply a wonderful car, and another wonderful documentary where I learnt new things about one of my all time favourite cars.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Wow, thank you very much for your kind words, I'm glad you've enjoyed it so much!

[@rabit818]

The asymmetrical grille is on the many charms of the Panda. I did not know the windows were flat glass. Sometimes the lean budget becomes a challenge for the design. And the Panda succeeds on design and the requirements of Fiat.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Yes. Flat glass by the 1970s had fallen out of use on cars, but Giugiaro used it on the Panda as a further way to make production simpler and cheaper.

[@mrkei5871]

Lunga vita al Pandino!

[@mikebaginy8731]

My sister's first car was a Panda 45. I washed and cleaned her car regularly and was astonished every time I drove it, that it didn't have power brakes - something I needed to adjust to. Since I drove a jeep which in the US Army, I was used to basic vehicles, and the Panda was of similarly spartan design. But the Panda had an effective heater (which seemed to have been deemed sissy on a jeep).

[@RobinCapper]

A lovely tribute to Giorgetto Giugiaro's finest design* * and given his portfolio that is remarkable

[@rustybearden1800]

Simple, basic, no frills design that is rugged, easy to maintain, 4 wheel drive and seats 4 people - reminds me of my 1981 Subaru Wagon GL - keep including the drawing intercuts with the car slowly taking shape on paper - I like that - Bravo, Matteo!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! These drawing shots are from my older videos, when sketching was an integral part of the video format. I stopped drawing on camera, as it seemed to me that few people cared for that. But I'll still include it from time to time :)

[@iangrice329]

I loved my mk1 panda (1985 45cl in red), still miss it 30 years on.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Tremendous little car - one that ignited my love of Italian cars (along with the 126 and 127) - my uncle bought an early Panda 45 in the same colour as the example in the video - I thought it was brilliant. I also had a friend who later had a Sisley 4x4, which I listed after! Sadly I never owned one, opting instead for a mk1 Punto 6 speed - another Giugaro masterpiece!

[@alenseven11]

A great video and story about that ingenious little Fiat. I drove only later versions but I remember when there was no gen I 4x4 to buy at the market, they were so popular and sought after, and if one came for sale, it was at a premium and was sold within hours. Thank you!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you very much! First-gen 4x4 in good nick are indeed rare, as these cars lived rough lives in places where rust was definitely an issue, like mountains and muddy fields... So the few available do command premium prices.

[@mattw8332]

I quite fancied a used post 1986 Panda of these as a replacement to my 1st car (1979 Mini) in the mid 1990s early in my driving career. It didn't happen sadly. Unsure if it was available in other countries but we Brits could buy the 'Italia 90' limited edition with the ⚽ inspired wheel trims!

[@Matteo_Licata]

The "Italia 90" was of course sold in Italy as well... I've seen a few survivors on the classifieds recently, and those wheel-trims are now a must :)

[@EpicVotann]

Love the Fiat Panda. Fun iconic car.

[@matirs342]

There's a weird appeal in minimalist, simple yet functional designs. Some designs, like the Panda, to me also manage to do all of the above while being oddly stylish. I guess that's something only the Italians and French can pull off hahah Never got the Panda here (at least in relevant numbers), we were stuck with the Fiat 147/Spazio as the entry level Fiat. But it always looked cool to me. Ps: Was that you drawing the Panda?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Yep, it was me drawing. I used to be a car designer, after all :)

[@matirs342]

@@Matteo_Licata That's why I asked. Looks great. Wish I could draw like that hahaha

[@alexandreb.1101]

The original Panda actually ended up being restyled by SEAT and renamed Marbella, being produced well into the "90s. Amazing video, Matteo! Keep the good work

[@Matteo_Licata]

Yes indeed. I’d like to cover the Marbella one day, whenever I’ll find a good one… Which won’t be easy, as nobody kept them. Thank you!!!

[@pdtech4524]

Suoer iconic car!! It was the first car I ever drove on the road way back in the early 1980s. Next door where I lived, they owned a 4x4 Panda, I couldn't believe it when I first saw it, all rugged and jacked up suspension, I thought it must be a special one off, somebody had built. But I saw others so realised it was a real production car! I set my heart on owning one but they were out of my price range, I was only an apprentice and not earning enough sadly! But many years later and 3 generations of Panda, I still had that admiration for them, the simple design, the practicality, the uniqueness, quirkiness and above all their fun to drive charm. I currently own a Fiat Panda 4x4 Antarctica 0 9 twinair turbo, so it retains the 2 cylinder uniqueness of the original albeit slightly brought more up to date with a little more useful power!...... And power it has in abundance, it really is a very nimble and agile little car, with lots of character and Italian styling! Very quirky, unique and above all lots of fun to drive, that roaring engine note is very grin inducing!! 😁😎👍

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you for sharing these memories :) Yes the Twin Air is a fun engine to have, makes a nice noise and it's got plenty of poke... Not the gas-sipper Fiat tried to convince everyone it was, though, so a lot of people remained disappointed with the mileage they got.

[@pdtech4524]

@@Matteo_Licata I'm not sure how Fiat managed to get the +60mpg they quote for this engine!! 😯🤔😁 They are very optimistic figures but I guess all manufacturers do this. I've managed an indicated 54mpg on a long 90 mile drive without trying hard, just driving normally, loaded up for a camping trip. I think it's because there isn't much power below 2k revs so you are constantly revving this little twinair between 3k-4k but that roaring engine sound just begs you to give it some more and this is where the fuel consumption suffers!! The 6 speed gearbox helps to keep the revs in that happy place but it means around the city you rarely get into 6th gear, mostly using 3rd, 4th and 5th gears. I find mid 40's mpg is more what you will expect to get, which is not too bad really! When you consider it has all the extra 4x4 drive train to turn. But you can easily get down into the 30mpg range if you drive it through the rev range on the way up through the gears!! 😯😁😎👍

[@nvl2691]

My favourite Giuggiaro design has to be the 159. That design, those proportions, those curves... it looks perfect. Timeless design, misunderstood car.

[@studiocalder818]

👍🏽

[@Tourist1967]

There was also his redesign of the 156 - would have to toss a coin between the two. The Brera was a beauty too. Newer Alfas have lost something, I feel.

[@studiocalder818]

@@Tourist1967 Sorry but to me there is not comparison between the "Centro Stile Alfa Romeo" design of the first 156 and the Giuguaro one of the second one. I admire ++ Giugiaro, of course (I absolutely love his Alfas from the 2600 sprint to the sporty/elegant 159) but cannot digest as with a few strokes has trivialized the 156. (Every master has some skeleton in the drawer 😉)

[@hartcoregamer24]

Fiat Germany, based back then in my hometown, made really cool fashion magazine style brochures, which advertise the features of the panda. I have two of these brochures and they are really cool

[@Matteo_Licata]

Fantastic! I'd love to see them, do you know where I can find scans of them?

[@hartcoregamer24]

@@Matteo_Licata well, if you could somehow give me your e-mail-adress, i'd scan them and send them to you.

[@jochenkreusel131]

And there was this unforgotten ad battle with German railways :-) (and the entire campaign "Die tolle Kiste" (The terrific box))!

[@Matteo_Licata]

That’s very kind of you, thanks! [e-mail]

[@tummytub1161]

I'm so happy people still appreciate this marvelous car. If this car doesn't put a smile on your face in some way, nothing will. I have 3 and looking for a fourth, the Elettra. And to think it started all because I couldn't afford a Lancia Delta. Now I wouldn't trade any of my little friends for one. Thank you for sharing.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you enjoyed this video! A Panda Elettra would make for an interesting classic indeed these days: given its batteries would long be dead, swapping to a li-ion pack would dramatically boost its range and overall performance

[@tummytub1161]

@@Matteo_Licata Exactly what I was thinking

[@gearhead9828]

It is the modern version of the 2CV concept and a million times more attractive. Thanks for this interesting video! Ciao 🙋‍♂️

[@Matteo_Licata]

Well, that's subjective :) I'm a massive fan of Giugiaro and appreciate the Panda's design... But I'd rather own a 2CV, because I just can't resist old Citroens! Thank you for watching!

[@philippedefontenoy6876]

And mini ,and "cox" ,and fiat 500 !!!!!!!!

[@joseantonioarandagarcia9966]

Great video Matteo! Allways loved the simple, functional, almost industrial, but absolutelly charming design and philosophy, a truly masterpiece!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Couldn't agree more!

[@spankysmp]

I've got a 1992 Panda and I love it.

[@minopino3]

Great car. When i was little, there was this guy, who drove always big American cars, (he was a rock singer) in one day he bought a panda, because the trunk of those American cars were to little. He had always to transport a few big speakers, and it only fits in a panda. The contrast couldn't be bigger. From big americans to panda😂

[@Matteo_Licata]

Ahah that's a cool story :) Thank you!

[@happyhermit2022]

How interesting....many years ago I worked for a motor dealership with a company car...while everyone else chose a fancy one I always asked for the Panda 45...as it was the only car that would fit my mobile disco speakers and the rest comfortably...brilliant vehicle and great fun 🤗

[@STARDRIVE]

Funny, I drove yank tanks for 30 years, but after buying an old Twingo as a stop gap, my big Colony Park is just sitting behind my house waiting to get booted. Some say you can tell the owner by looking at their car, but not me :)

[@happyhermit2022]

Excellent and very interesting thank you..there are many still in daily use in Spain, the 4x4 is very desirable and sell well. A very practical car and almost everything most people need. I'm looking at a 2016 4x4 to buy soon :)

[@adarbs6384]

The 2nd or 3rd generation 4x4 will be my next car too. I love the new 3rd generation one, but I don't think I will be able to afford it...but looking at all the videos and reviews I don't think it matters which one, both are fantastic cars and I like them both. Good luck with your search for one 😁

[@lamiaitaly2549]

My parents went from a Fiat 126 to a Fiat Panda and I remember being so excited at having a proper car. I would like to like the new Fiat Panda but it doesn’t have the same character. Funny I can still remember that car’s registration (ULC84X) but struggle to remember my car’s registration today. Thanks for the video

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! It must have felt great to step from the very, very small 127 to the airy cabin of the Panda, back then. I guess you have already checked that plate out on the DVLA... Just in case ;)

[@lamiaitaly2549]

@@Matteo_Licata Yes, sadly all my family’s and my Fiats from 20+ years ago are in the eternal garage in the sky. Ahime

[@Matteo_Licata]

Unfortunately, I can say the same about the two Citroën BX my dad owned. :(

[@SferaChannel]

We love Panda!

[@darrenangel461]

I've learned about all the generations of fiat panda's these last few weeks especially now ive bought a 2014 fiat 🐼 4x4 Antarctica, love it, these cars are legends in the Alps and beyond, Respect to the fiat panda 🐼 4x4.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed they are! Congratulations on your cool purchase!

[@dumyjobby]

i have a panda 45 from 82 with 40 thousand km and all original. super fun to drive. i love it

[@Matteo_Licata]

That's a nice little minter you have, congratulations!

[@pitergriffin01]

My first car! A friend of my dad's gave it to me for free since he didn't use it, I've traveled up and down along Italy until it got too old to fix for cheap and I gave it for free to a friend on mine, who's wrecked it around a pole driving while drunk. My friend was ok, but the car got scrapped lol.

[@neilmustow368]

Great design the Panda as a love of small Fiat cars as a youngster I did own the bigger Uno with the 903cc engine and 5 speed gearbox the first 1983 model back in 1992 as an 18 year old

[@dengudomlige8644]

I miss my Pandas more than I miss my ´68 Cadillac, I had one ´85 and one ´86 and they were used and enjoyed until they were beyond repair and salvation, the salty Swedish winter roads being a big part of the passing...

[@jetkunedo]

complimenti, stai facendo un grande lavoro a livello propedeutico, insegnando al mondo la storia del design dell'automobile italiano.!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Grazie mille! I complimenti dai miei compatrioti valgono doppio, visto che me ne fanno pochi :) L’idea é sempre stata questa infatti: raccontare al mondo la storia dell’automobile Italiana.

[@studiocalder818]

@@Matteo_Licata ma no, dai, non direicosì, direi che sei apprezzatissimo

[@Matteo_Licata]

@@studiocalder818 Eheh grazie per ricordarmelo :)

[@adarbs6384]

Thank you so much for this video. So much love for the original Panda. I really wish manufacturers could make basic, cheap, reliable and simple cars like this nowadays, rather than stuffing them full of electronic rubbish that will generally break and stop working after a few years and then cost a fortune to repair.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I'm glad you've enjoyed it! At the moment, a car as basic as the Panda can't even be made, as EU homologation requires a lot of safety-related standard equipment. Probably the most basic car you can get new, nowadays, is a base-model Dacia Sandero.

[@adarbs6384]

@@Matteo_Licata I know, I'm going to be interested to see how much the new Dacia electric car is going to be in Ireland....or even if we get it. It looks really cool, like a small SUV. I do want to help the planet and go electric, but I want a Panda 4x4 more - that's probably a bad thing to say these days 😂

[@Matteo_Licata]

@@adarbs6384 You could convert a Panda as an EV: no more CO2 from the tailpipe and keeping an old car on the road saves the resources needed to build a new one. Minimum impact and maximum style :)

[@adarbs6384]

@@Matteo_Licata I like that idea! 😁

[@tomahawk1556]

After sitting & driving modern day cars' interior made from toxic plastics , we really appreciate the comfortable & healthy smelling of FIAT cars' cloths upholstery ... FIAT Panda 4X4 Manual ( electric in the Future ) is one Ninja Turtle Car indeed! No complicated & expensive automatic gear problems to deal with! Thank You So Much FIAT for maintaining Italian! 🕯🌷🌿🇮🇹🌏

[@Testdriver2804]

we had panda 1991, 750 fire, for 15 years, great car, usable in winter, for work, such memory for it

[@olivierdk2]

Less is best. Minimalist and rational yet charming. The first compact crossover unrivaled still.

[@paullacey2999]

I hired a black one in Greece many moons ago.Was a great wee car!

[@stanleylawson9015]

Love your content on all these great cars

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you like them! Thank you!

[@kevgermany]

Thanks, really interesting. My son drives a Cinquecento from the 90s. Lots of similarities. Made in Poland, surprisingly.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Shouldn't surprise you, as Fiat has built cars in Poland since the early 70s. and continues to this day: the petrol 500 and the Lancia Ypsilon are made in Poland. The Cinquecento deserves a video, as it was a brilliant project by the late Ermanno Cressoni.

[@kevgermany]

@@Matteo_Licata thanks, just shows my ignorance.

[@domenicodileo9487]

Great video, for a great great car! The example shown here is fabulous!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! Yes, it was a straight, largely original car that's been "freshened up" a bit by its current owner, who loves it to bits :)

[@domenicodileo9487]

@@Matteo_Licata trovarne una in qualche paesetto, magari al sud, dove la gente ancora crede sia solo un vecchio rottame...sarebbe bello.

[@Matteo_Licata]

@@domenicodileo9487 Il Sud è sicuramente dove è meglio cercare, dato che lì le auto hanno vita più lunga e, solitamente, le Fiat usate un po' più attempate che qui al Nord non hanno più mercato tendono ad essere rivendute lì. Ma non conterei sul trovare chissà che grandi affari: nell'era di Internet le informazioni vanno veloci, e credo nessuno regali più niente. In ogni caso, buona ricerca!

[@domenicodileo9487]

@@Matteo_Licata eh lo so purtroppo è così ormai riguardo a internet.

[@38thsignal]

I absolutely love the car, a true design masterpiece indeed (although I wouldn't want to try the short overhang crash test in one :-)) Friends liked it so much they went through three 4x4s, and not because they were bad quality, but on the contrary because they could abuse them and the car would keep going. Not many cars from that era can claim as much, apart maybe from the Niva, which was a much different beast altogether. Viva Panda!

[@zebedep]

Great video! I can't remember when I last saw an early Panda in the UK...

[@Matteo_Licata]

Pandas were quite rust-prone, so it doesn’t surprise me that UK survivors are rare :) Early Pandas aren’t a common sight in Italy as well, but late models built in the 90s are still very much street furniture. Thank you very much, glad you liked the video!

[@andygtv]

Thank you and Happy New Year😃

[@Matteo_Licata]

Happy new year to you too, thank you!

[@individual1977]

Another fantastic video Matteo. My wife and I saw many in Italy in 2019. Many still running around the hills. I would love to import one here to the states one day. CIAO!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you very much! Hope you'll get to import one someday then!

[@studiocalder818]

I think you may import the older models than 25 years

[@exfa7094]

My first car Panda 45 !! I am in love with this car , 30 years after

[@Petrolblog]

Brilliant video of a brilliant little car. Thank you, Matteo.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you Gav, great to see you back on KZbin! I've got another "little Italian that could" in store for this week. Watch this space ;)

[@MicrobyteAlan]

Thank you kindly

[@raufsahin334]

A very cute car ..nice video ..

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you 🤗

[@stewartturner3181]

Great video 😃 Learned some things I didn't know about the wonderful Panda 😃

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@mikakstienhaara3478]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Matteo_Licata]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@mikakstienhaara3478]

I think there is a lot of elegance and beauty in the engineering and design simplification of the Panda. Quite different from today's cars, but there is hope with the BEVs...

[@akr01364]

The closest car that I can think of that I've driven like this here in the States was my sister's 1993 Dodge Shadow. A warmed over Mitsubishi Colt it had that sort of ultra basic approach that per the American market's needs was about as simple as a car could possibly be. I shudder to consider the crash worthiness of such a car. But, I still recall how the next to nothing weight of the car allowed it to float over the road without much in the way of chassis sophistication. Given that the latest Ford Fiesta can seem to crash over the smallest potholes by comparison one wonders how long it will be before carbon fiber finds its way back into making cars actually lightweight and not just appearing as such.

[@wesselbakker936]

I've never tried a Dodge Shadow but did drive a 1992 Mitsubishi Colt and compared to the Panda it's still quite a heavy car with a decent amount of power. Here in the Netherlands anything over 160 HP would be considered a quick car since the average car on the road here has 117 hp. You should really try something like the Panda one day :)

[@akr01364]

@@wesselbakker936 Alas, it was never sold here. Fiat pulled out of our market just before it came along. The Colt that the Shadow was based on was the early 80's generation, I believe. Dodge wasn't looking to make a large profit on that particular car and was looking to just use it as a stop gap once their partnership with Mitsubishi had ended in the late 80's. Previously, Dodge's small cars here were imported Mitsus as the company had yet to establish a dealer network until the mid-80's.

[@wesselbakker936]

@@akr01364 Interesting, thanks for the information about the Shadow. And be sure to drive a panda if you ever visit europe😁

[@akr01364]

@@wesselbakker936 Hehe, I hope to at some point. Unfortunately, my visits there tend to be to Austria and Ireland where they seldom survive from this era.

[@tomahawk1556]

Saw many FIAT Delivery Vans around the World >>> Handsome & Practical Delivery Vans indeed! Many still come with much loved Manual Gear Box! Maybe in the future , we can continue to enjoy FIAT in electric power mode! 🕯🌷🌿🇮🇹🌏

[@jonathandowman2770]

what a fantastic video and a super car!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you liked it!

[@hermanrschippers9374]

Deze Panda kan zo terug op de markt (vind ik) in retro-design!😀

[@erikpoephoofd]

Dat zou fantastisch zijn! Ik ben verliefd op het ontwerp van deze auto

[@Any_Friday]

One of my favourite cars

[@mattbettany1174]

It’s funny how “Boxy” and “wedge” is becoming very cool in terms classic cars these days where only a couple of decades ago they would be deemed ugly and naff . I don’t think “pretty” is ever a word that would be associated with the Panda but “charming” and “friendly” certainly it is . A Panda 4x4 would be great for getting to work right about now. I remember my Aunty had a Panda Sergio Tacchini edition in metallic grey with a green cloth interior. It was probably one of the most luxurious Pandas of the time. Id imagine it would quite collectible these days

[@Matteo_Licata]

I think it's a generational thing. These cars are now so different and far removed from what we have now, that people who grew up with them are rediscovering them. I remember very well how all the "origami" cars of the 80s fell hard out of fashion in the 90s, but the Panda never ceased to sell well, at least in Italy, where many would still buy one new today.

[@mattbettany1174]

@@Matteo_Licata is have to agree with you there . Must mean we’re getting old 😂

[@Speeder76]

Many years ago - some 20, I believe - I was working in a radio station in my city and the car we used to travel from one place to other was a white Panda where everybody wanted to drive. There was a fight to see who would get the keys and sometimes I was the lucky one. The only thing I didn't like was that... there was no power steering. The rest... it was plucky. But on those days, I had a Renault Twingo with power steering and I loved it! But I knew several people that had Pandas and Marbellas (the spanish version of the Panda from Seat). My grandfather's final car was a Marbella, and at least two neighbours had a Panda 4x4 each, both green ones.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I'd love to make a video about the Marbella, as it was the last holdout of Fiat engineering in Seat, well into the 90s. I'm afraid it won't be easy to film one here in Italy though!

[@paulwlynch]

My Uncle's first panda was exactly like the Avorio Senegal MK1 in the video and I must agree as a small child at the time the rear seat wasn't the most comfortable. He had a later White MK1 with the black plastic grille and then a further two more over the years. Although the very first one he had would have been the most basic it is the one I remember and like the most. I have only recently found your channel and I am thoroughly enjoying going through your catalog of films you have made.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you and welcome onboard! I’m glad you’ve found me and that you enjoy so much my content. I’m preparing a new small Fiat story for this Saturday, watch this space ;)

[@maraujo1984]

The "italian 80s 2CV": simply but advanced

[@STARDRIVE]

We had 5 of them during the 80's. From the 34 to the 45 FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotized Engine, build by robots). All were new, traded every 2 years. (They were still perfectly fine, but we got great deals. Dealer went belly up, though.) You want the later models if you live in a cold climate. Getting those carbed ones started took 15 minutes with a hair dryer. The asymmetric grille looks cute, but those thin seats were also torture. Especially in the back, where you just sat on a blanketed gas tank.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Yes, that rear seat wasn't very comfy, and that's why it was eventually discontinued.

[@boromiszajano]

Much love for the intro with the accelerating engine! Is it from the Fiat 126? Thanks for the video too!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! Well... Almost a 126 ;) The engine noise in the intro is the Panda from the video itself, which was equipped with a two-cylinder engine derived from the 126.

[@sanderdejong66]

What we need today is the electrical equivalent of the Panda!

[@Matteo_Licata]

I agree!

[@oneflewoverthecuckoosnest2823]

Coming with the new one!

[@buddy8225]

Such cool looking car. Never sold here in the states, but man wish they did. I would definitely be driving one right now.😀

[@Matteo_Licata]

You can import one, if you want to. Most Pandas are now over 25 years old, so they can be brought legally into the US... Where it would be best enjoyed out of the highway though, as most Panda models max out at around 80Mph and are pretty buzzy at that speed :)

[@ollieoneill5961]

Another great job.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ollieoneill5961]

The Italian job . nice work ...

[@93TIAGO]

Very beautiful. Panda fan! 🐼😍🐼

[@stevesrover]

Lovely!

[@bath1968]

1st, Great little video😷👍

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thanks 👍 Glad you like it!

[@danielemeytre4010]

Oooooh! Stiamo tutti aspettando la seconda parte, qui! Hai creato un'aspettativa che urge soddisfar😉😁

[@Matteo_Licata]

Ehehe grazie! Mi farebbe molto piacere, devo trovare una Panda più recente da filmare... Appena ci riuscirò, volentieri :)

[@danielemeytre4010]

@@Matteo_Licata ah, ho dovuto dare via la 4x4 country club quasi 10 anni fa... Secondo tipo, senza inclinometro 🤬. Beh, non ti sarà difficile trovarne una da testare sul circuito di Stupinigiring🧐😅 p.s. il tuo inglese impeccabile con errhe arrotata è fantastico, fattelo dire da una e__e moscia.

[@danielemeytre4010]

Ah, già. In caso fossi in cerca di curiosità, un pazzo ha conservato a Pinasca una Italia 90 perfetta. La vedo sempre dalla strada.

[@Matteo_Licata]

@@danielemeytre4010 Mi metto subito alla ricerca ;) l'importante è che sia un esemplare sufficientemente in ordine da apparire bene in video. L'inclinometro serviva a poco, ma che figo era? :)

[@Matteo_Licata]

@@danielemeytre4010 Caspita, una Italia 90 sarebbe davvero una primizia. Un vero pezzo di storia Italiana, in più di un senso!

[@KaptainKhaos1]

My father had a 1st generation Panda (1983). He loved that car. It once had a cylinder fail on him and he still did an almost 200KM trip without it letting him down. Eventually someone crashed into it and drove off. It was a write off at that point and he got a MK1 Golf Diesel. He admitted the Golf was a "technically superior" car. But he'd have the Panda back tomorrow if he could.

[@Matteo_Licata]

That's a lovely memory, thank you for sharing it with me!

[@KaptainKhaos1]

@@Matteo_Licata My pleasure. It's part of the reason I love your videos so much. When my brother went to college he went to university in a different town. He was the first person in our family to even go to university (my parents didn't even got to secondary school, they left at age 13 as was normal in Ireland at the time) and it was a big deal for them. It was that trip there and back to watch him graduate where the little car held it all together and got them home safe on a rainy night. Now I want to buy a Panda myself, but I live in the US now, and they don't have them here :(

[@martian9999]

I like the sound of the Panda 30! Otherwise -- design masterpiece yes, wonderful egalitarian transport yes, but in the words of CAR Magazine back in the day, " a strangely unappealing drive". Great video though!

[@Matteo_Licata]

I drove my friend Jim's Panda in another video, and it was fun... But probably because it just feels so different from anything we drive today.

[@martian9999]

@@Matteo_Licata to be honest, I am just spoiled -- my cheap cars of choice (which I owned in the 1980s) were the 2cyl Citroen LN and Visa.

[@unknown81360]

Love it!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thanks!!

[@marcbrasse747]

For a moment I thought you would be forgetting the 4 x 4 of which the drive train was, if I am correct, developed by Steyer Puch (but that of course is not something an Italian wants to remember :-) ). Again a very lucid memory from our Le Marche holiday: That region is full of banged up examples still being used for everyday transport, preferably 4 by 4's. Since the region only lost the old big landownership system in the 70ties the 80's where probably the last period in which the economy ran on a wave of positivity. This is still reflected in the rural car "fleet": Nothing much of that positivity has lasted but the early Panda's still roll. :-) By the way: Have you ever done the Esprit? Best wedge shaped production sports car design ever. So pure! :-)

[@donkeymarco]

I am italian and I perfectly know that. It was Fiat that asked Steyer Puch to develop the transmission based on the idea Fiat had to made a transversal front angine 4x4. Steyer Puch had already commercial relationships with Fiat. They were manufacturing under license the Fiat 500 as Steyr Puch 500 for austrian market and other markets that had a boxer twin cylinder. If I am not wrong it was manufactured from 1957 to 1975. Nonthing new for Fiat, since they usually outsourced the design and/or production of "specialty" versions. Also for design of cars, they for most model used to invite external design companies to present their projects alongside Fiat design center. It was a competiotion. That changed when german companies strted to only use internal design sources and the "family" style. Very boring in my opinion.

[@marcbrasse747]

@@donkeymarco Absolutely! I suppose you then also know that Steyr is Austrian? The trend might indeed have been started by the germans. Unlike Japan where outsourced development efforts are still a universal factor, although most often not even mentioned.

[@donkeymarco]

@@marcbrasse747 I know that is austrian. Probably Steyr Puch best product, in my opinion, are the Pinzgauer 710 and 712 of the '70 designed for military use. The "problem" for someone willing to get one nowdays, and not with a big wallet, is that they like too much to drink gasoline. For the 712 is that You need the 3500 kg EU weight limit and pratically You need C license. Also the G wagen drivetrain was designed in Austria (and assembled in Austria). In Mercedes they don't like too much to remember.

[@donkeymarco]

As for Fiat Panda 4x4 derivates, there was also one Fiat and Steyr Puch were developing for military and civil use. One of the prototypes I think is displayed in Puch museum in Graz. Few data are avilable, but it was a likke big bigger, taller, wider track and self locking rear differential. Unfortunately, as had tens of times with Fiat top managers of the time, it was not put into production. It looks like that was called Fiat Panda Torpedo. In this Autocar article, at slide 13, can be seen what I suppose is one of the prototypes. It is not a civil Panda 4x4 since it has a "military light" in the front (the protusion near the left front headlight). www.autocar.co.uk/slideshow/inside-europes-most-intriguing-car-museum#13 Here can be seen near a Panda 4x4. www.euro-t-guide.com/See_Coun/Austria/E/A_See_Puch_Museum_Graz_4-1.htm And this is another of the prototypes. It has the front hook and the doors. www.dannatavintage.com/2018/06/22/il-pandone-le-mai-nate/

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Never had one. Still regret it. But I came close with an Autobianchi 112 that I drove with a friend from Amsterdam to the Russian Norwegian border (even further than the North Cape).

[@wickiezulu]

Can understand the Panda successfully fulfilling the brief for an updated Italian take on the Citroen 2CV or Renault R2, yet cannot really appreciate it since neither the Panda nor the related Y10 built upon what made the Autobianchi A112 appealing (in terms of driving appeal, etc) and were actually a great step back as far as great driving small Fiats are concerned. Would have actually preferred a Fiat rebadge of the A112 that was sold in RHD markets and equipped with the entry-level Twin followed later by a 750 FIRE (and optional CVT) via an updated A112, which Fiat seemingly contemplated during the development of what became the Y10 as a A112 refresh based on early sketches by Giugiaro. facebook.com/cardesignarchives/photos/pcb.364283443939998/976889479346055/?type=3&theater

[@abbrag1]

Simply is the best.

[@obelic71]

It says more of the class of a designer that he can make a mass volume car an icon. The Panda has become a motering icon in Europe. Giugiaro did also other massvolume cars like the VW Golf MK1 who have also became icons. And whats not to like about the Panda. In my opnion the humble Panda is the real sucsessor of the original 500. Just a basic car you HAVE to love.

[@petersuchansky6703]

dont think so. In my opinion pandas sucsessor is seicento

[@obelic71]

@@petersuchansky6703 I think you ment the seicento was in line with the old 500/600. The Panda is going for its 4th generation so there is no succesor of the Panda for a long time to come. The Seicento is a further development of the Cinquecento. The panda had a brand new platform from the start. The cinquecento and seicento were based on the older 126 who was based on the 500/600 platform. I made the comparrison because the original 500 and 1st gen Panda both had a new platform from the start and were designed and produced from the start purely as economical to build and use cars for the masses. Fiat has always been a master in designing and producing small cars. So if Stellantis is smart they let the design of the small car platform for the 4th gen Panda, Citroen C1, Peugeot 109, Opel/Vauxhall Karl do by Fiat.

[@claudioschumi87]

Grande Matteo un altro bella video e specialmente la Panda una macchina che ha fatto la storia nella nostra cultura Italiana!Per me la Fiat Panda è stata più influente della 500 forse mi sbaglio.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Grazie! Difficile dire quale modello sia stato più influente. Ma senza dubbio la Panda è una pietra miliare, che per fortuna sta essendo rivalutata e conservata, ora che i primi modelli sono diventati auto classiche a tutti gli effetti.

[@claudioschumi87]

@@Matteo_Licata Ciao Matteo io dicevo in generale nel senso che anche se la 500 e stata il primo diciamo che ha creato un style e practical auto in Italia credo che la Panda e andato un altro livello in tutto che la 500 era nelle anni 50/60 al mio parere poi forse mi sbaglio.

[@getoutofthetimetrap5435]

Certamente una scatola , ma sempre bella e italiane !

[@FreeWanderingThinker]

According to the needs of the moment.... 😂 I love it!

[@tonimunozgonzalez]

The Fiat Panda was a big impact back to spring 1980; the concept was a must. However I had myself a hard experience with an 8 years old Seat Panda 45 that I bought in May 1990 to replace another bad experience with my first car, a Seat 850 Spider from 1971 that I bought in March 1989. The only nice memories with the Panda was the summer of 1991 that I spent in Ibiza. Once back home the Panda went to a car graveyard and I never had a Seat neither an used car again. Seat had terrible reputation from early 70s to the first (and boring) SeatToledo from 1991.

[@marcst3199]

The Panda is one of the Cars where the manufactor had the idea to make exactly what the people needed and nothing more. And it's one of the even seldomer cases where the people than bought the car too

[@MAtogable]

cazzo raga, I was about to ask you to do a video on the almighty Panda. Investment advice: No money for an alfa? Buy a 1st gen Panda 4x4 while you still can. Those things are getting ridiculously expensive.

[@studiocalder818]

🎯🎯👍🏽🤣🤣

[@jonathasilva0089]

Ah se tivesse o nosso Fiasa 1050! Lambredi history!

[@pushbikeman]

At Launch, I Strongly Considered Buying A New One As I Had Already Owned A Fiat 126, But Went For A Used Renault 5, Always Wondered If I Made The Right Decision?

[@christopherhunter2892]

I really liked the modern take of a Citroën 2CV or Renault 4. In fact my first car bought as new was a Panda 45S with double sunroof. A Guigaro design masterpiece.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Double sunroof Pandas are very rare these days, as few people ordered that option, sadly. How much time did you keep it?

[@christopherhunter2892]

@@Matteo_Licata Just over 2 years. Was unfortunately becoming rusty.

[@Matteo_Licata]

@@christopherhunter2892 Yeah, I understand. Those Pandas had very little in the way of rust protection

[@larsen1974]

panda 4x4 prima serie: andava ovunque, era "enorme" dentro, ma appena mettevi le 4x4 beveva come una porsche... inarrestabile, su fondi a bassa aderenza, neve o fango, non aveva rivali... forse giusto il samurai suzuki. piccola, leggera, saliva veramente ovunque.

[@nessuno5403]

Sistema 4x4 grazie agli austriaci della Steyr-Puch, come da stemma sul portellone posteriore

[@larsen1974]

@@nessuno5403 esatto, tutto meccanico, nulla a che vedere con ste fighettate moderne, che poi non ti tirano fuori da 10cm di neve

[@user-xr5gu1rq6f]

My childhood dream

[@studiocalder818]

The mother of a great friend of mine from Kerkyra worked for Tupperware and she received a Panda 650 to use for work. She sang "Panda pantoú" but she added, in Italian: "ma non è buona" (but it's not good enough); that's because she had troubles with air management when he turned it on when hot 🤣🤣

[@user-xr5gu1rq6f]

@@studiocalder818 :) greetings from Greece then.