Guillaume Vachey has been uploading at the CC Cohort a series of photos of Fiat Pandas and Piaggio APEs in recent days. A chance to revisit these tiny basic transport offerings, still running strong in their native land.
Longtime readers know that the Panda is a favorite in these pages (links below), a basic-transport econobox created with a sophisticated design ethos to offer a lot for little money. And styled in proper 1980s origami ethos to give some fashion to its boxy utilitarian form. The model’s first generation ran from 1980 to 2003, with little updates throughout; the one above, a post 1986 model.
The trycicle Piaggios are a long staple in Europe, being around in one form or another since 1948 (Yes, they’re still in production). The squarish lights and plasticky detailing date the one above to the 1990s; an APE50, from the line launched in 1996 and originally carrying a 49.8cc engine.
In 1983, a 4×4 version of the Panda was launched to complement the standard FWD line. Talking about which, most of the Pandas uploaded by Guillaume seem to be 4×4 versions, like the one above. I guess off-roaders –big or small– always benefit from a more devoted following to secure their survival.
And if I go by this one’s grille, I would think it’s a 1983-1986 model.
Another Panda 4×4 on the right, and an earlier Piaggio on the left; closer to the ones that used to be the norm during my childhood in Central America. Looks like a 1980s model, which by then ran on 175cc engines. FWIW, the original market these Piaggios occupied in the likes of Central America has been taken over by Bajaj, an Indian manufacturer that offers updated variations of these earlier Piaggios.
And one last 4×4 to close this collection. All these Pandas and Piaggios, with decades on them, seem to be going quite well and still have lots of life ahead. Once again, proof that small ain’t weak and can be long-lasting, particularly with devoted owners.
Related CC reading:
Cohort Classic: Fiat Panda 4×4 – Simply Simple
Curbside Find: Fiat Panda Van – Utilitarian Plastic Neatness
Some lovely photos, especially that first one. I do love the Panda as it managed to combine cheap and utilitarian with plenty of character and appeal.
The Piaggio trikes have always had a good sense of style – the round or square ones.
I was lucky enough to visit Europe in May and managed to see a few of each.
There were a few, very few, but Pandas were around in the US; I think you can still see some in classic car dealerships.
The Panda 1000 was a popular car in Uruguay. But, as usually happens in small markets that bring in some excesses that other markets don’t need, being Italian it came at a premium price over a Brazilian Fiat Uno 1300, with a larger engine, more power, more space, and much easier spare part procurement. There was also the Seat Panda, which was imported with a 903 cc engine, and almost no interchangeable parts to the Fiat. I don’t know if Seats from the early ’80s were really assembled to a poorer standard or what happened. But Italian (and Brazilian for that matter) Fiats were much better in terms of quality. That changed for good a couple of years later when Seat became part of VWAG.
What a fun post with great pictures of the local cityscape! The first gen Panda, Fiat’s idea of a modernized Citroën 2CV. Needless to mention the 4×4 was and still is popular in Austria and Italy.
Having driven a Panda (rental) in Italy in the early 1980s, I can attest to the fact that it was an adventure. But also entirely do-able. And it came in rather handy while trying to navigate Lucca and Sienna city streets. Rome was more entertaining when speed versus the ability to squeeze down tiny alleys was more the point. Perhaps the fact that I at the time was used to driving a diesel VW Rabbit on US highways conditioned me to the limitations of the Panda.
Terrific local colors in the backgrounds .
I’d love to try driving an Ape .
-Nate
Probably my favorite car ever , the 1st gen Panda.
I owned a few, and also two from the 2nd generation, and I still get tempted every now and then to get me a nice 2nd gen. Well equipped, and very driveable for me, who rarely makes any serious miles outside the city.
And if I do, we habe the Toyota Auris hybrid for that.