Fiat Panda, 40 years of Giugiaro's masterpiece of rationality

On 29th February 1980 in Rome, in the gardens of the Quirinale, a small car was presented to the President of the Italian Republic that was destined to become a symbol of Italian genius. Featuring simple and intelligent solutions designed to ensure maximum practicality and low costs, it was a winning combination  of FIAT's long-established ability to work miracles in the entry-level market segments and Giorgetto Giugiaro's pencil.

In the summer of 1976, the newly created Italdesign by di Giorgietto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani was entrusted with the formal study of the new small FIAT, which was completed in just a few weeks with the initial denomination “Zero”, in homage to an old model of the car manufacturer.

The car is the epitome of the motto “compact on the outside but big on the inside” with an essential interior characterized by the front deck seats and the rear hammock which, through an ingenious system could be laid flat to transform the car into a makeshift bed. Inexpensive and rational, the car used flat glass to save on production costs.

Low cost leisure time: four seats and many simple and intelligent solutions in just over three metres.

In 1983 the all-wheel drive version was introduced, with the 4x4 system made by the Austrian-based Steyr-Puch, which was also the supplier for the Mercedes G-Class. Three years later it became the first compact car to mount a diesel engine, while 1990 saw the debut of the Panda Elettra: the first city car with electric motor. A faithful companion without class distinctions chosen by students and by Gianni Agnelli alike, the Panda became a legend with almost 4.5 million examples sold between 1980 and 2003.  The little “box” that changed mobility and confirmed the extraordinary demand for functional, multi-purpose cars is widely considered a real cult car, especially the 4x4 version, by fans making their entrance into the world of car collecting.

Also 4x4, celebrated in the first Classic Driver Panda 4x4 Meeting in St. Moritz.