My wife recently hiked the Mont Blanc Trail through the Alps, starting in Italy. The route is just over 100 miles through one of the most beautiful areas on the planet and I can imagine a car like this 1991 Fiat Panda 4×4 Sisley Edition scratching and clawing its way through that area with all four wheels digging in. The seller has this example listed here on eBay in Morristown, New Jersey and they’re asking $11,000 or you can make an offer.
It’s unfortunate that this 4×4 Panda was repainted as I think they removed what would have been “4×4 Sisley” graphics on the bottom portion below the faded black trim pieces. It would have had white wheels, but that’s an easy fix if the next owner wanted to bring it back to how it would have looked from the factory. The Sisley version also has headlight washers shown here, along with the hood scoop.
The rear wiper has seen better days and you’ve already noticed the faded black trim that needs help. We usually like to see vehicles in original condition but this one may have been on its way toward being spruced up and life got in the way, we don’t know the story on it at all as the seller doesn’t go into its history other than saying it was painted, it has no rust, and it’s in great shape. The Panda is still being made today, after hitting the market in 1980.
The interior looks great, maybe because it’s also been recently redone and the seller says it’s “in mint shape” and it sure looks like it is both front and rear. We don’t get to see the rear cargo area but the seller provides an underside photo and it looks as solid and rust-free as they say it is. I wanted a Panda 4×4 a few years ago when they were half this price, but like butter and eggs, things will never be cheaper than they are now so it’s rarely a good idea to wait. A cool feature is the inclinometer on top of the dash, part of the Sisley Edition goodies.
The engine is Fiat’s 1.0-liter SOHC inline-four with around 50 horsepower and 58 lb-ft of torque, and it flows through a five-speed manual to the front wheels or all four as needed through a Steyr-Puch 4WD system. This is the only engine photo but some sellers don’t even bother to pop the hood so kudos to the seller for providing so many photos. And as you can see, just to the right is the spare tire so there isn’t a lot of exposed engine to show. They say it runs and drives well. Have any of you heard of this model?
Super practical and appreciated by those living in long winters. ❄️ 🏔
My late friend Mr Richard Brown of Ilkeston Derbyshire here in the UK restored 2 of these both multiple award winners. His silver one is in a museum collection in the USA.
These are amazing little vehicles & have one numerous awards during the production run of circa 20 years during the 80&90s in many off-road endurance events Inc the camel trophy amongst others putting many bigger & more expensive vehicles to shame.
Gone but not forgotten rip Richard.
Thanks for the comment Craig. Sounds like a neat guy.
I’ve noticed here in the hospital 🏥 parking lots, the reserved spots for staff are usually 4×4, or AWD vehicles. Dedicated folks that know they need to answer the bell in foul weather.
Watched the real WheelerDealers refurbish one of these years ago, early in their career. A crude but capable car got a crude but capable update and appeared to be quite fun off road. I would love a chance to drive one on the trail. Thanks Scotty
I wish manufacturers would go back to making fun, practical cars like this.
Wife and I vacationed in Sicily back in November. Saw quite a few of these old Fiat 4×4’s. I was surrounded by centuries old architecture but I was a 14 year old kid running up to all the old odd cars you’d see. :)
James, this is exactly what happens to me every time I visit a foreign country.
That would have been me, too, at any age really. Cars have always been my focus anywhere, anytime.
Top Gear featured Sisley edition on an episode, starting at 3:33 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDxEnWiTzo4
as well as well as Fiat Panda-4x4s on other episodes.
I’ve hiked a lot in Italy, France, & Spain and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen these on farms, peeking out of lean-to’s and garages and out in the country in general. I’ve been told they’re super practical and essentially bulletproof.
I have a very similar car at present and it is charming. Parts are very vheap, you can get those Sisley stickers on ebay for$25.
The FIRE engine is very good and with so little weight and a 5 speed box it doesn’t feel slow. It is slow- but not lethargic. Price on this is good. A good Panda Sisley in EU is 10-15000$ ( some times more) so finding one in the USA saves about $5K over importing one.
Fun fact about these first-gen Pandas: all of the glass, even the windshield, is perfectly flat, for cheap and easy replacement.
Auction update: this one had no takers at $11,000, so the seller relisted it for… $11,000.