Limited Edition Sisley: 1987 Fiat Panda 4×4 – SOLD!

August 11, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Obscure cars are a major temptation to some collectors. Knowing you have the only one of a certain model in the United States is appealing to the folks who don’t want to roll up to the cars and coffee meet with the 16th black Porsche in attendance. This 1987 Fiat Panda 4×4 is a rare Sisley edition that combines various cosmetic enhancements with the factory four-wheel-drive package to create a vehicle worthy of trekking up to some long weekends in the mountains.  The seller once listed his Panda on Hemmings in June 2022 in Washington, D.C. for $16,500, and comparing that price against the Classic.com model guide shows us that he’s hoping to play the scarcity card in his favor with an average selling price of just over $8,000. Of course, that number doesn’t reflect the limited-edition Sisley package or how many are actually in the U.S. at the moment.

Vintage four-wheel-drive vehicles have very much hit their stride in recent years. Whether it is a performance model like the Toyota Celica GT4 or an off-road machine such as a Suzuki Samurai, it’s clear that enthusiasts of all income levels see some appeal to having a vintage squarebody with proven off-road chops in the garage. The concept of a compact 4×4 with the ability to go where its two-wheel-drive sibling wouldn’t dare to trek is almost even more appealing because of the sheer ridiculousness of it all. The Volkswagen Golf Country is a great example of this, as the homely MK2 Golf could barely get up a driveway in a snowstorm, much less rip around on some sand dunes, but the Golf Country with Syncro four-wheel-drive was a completely different beast, which is likely why it’s so sought-after today. The Fiat Panda 4×4 is definitely more obscure, but the package’s zaniness gives it the charm and personality of a car twice its size. The only trouble is you’re not likely to find a specialist shop that wants to work on one given the rarity and lack of dealer support in the states, whereas a European specialist might take a whack at working on the 4WD VW.

The Late Brake Show YouTube Channel features this modified Panda 4×4 video illustrating just how capable the Fiat Panda 4×4 is off-road:

The seller’s Panda is a special edition model referred to as a Sisley. This trim line got Panda shoppers several key upgrades, and while they were by and large cosmetic in nature, they all contributed to the car’s reputation for being a surprisingly capable all-rounder. You got headlight washers for when the road turned muddy, and a roof rack for carrying all the gear that wouldn’t fit inside. In addition, the Sisley trimmings included metallic paint, an inclinometer, white-painted wheels, a hood scoop, and more. With the inclinometer, tough steel wheels, and headlight sprayers, buyers of a 4×4 Panda with the Sisley trim got a pretty tough little machine. The Panda did not make much power so I doubt it’s fit for highway use; however, if you’re just slowly traversing an old fire road or deserted trail, its 50 horsepower will likely serve you just fine. The seller notes you will get a healthy assortment of maintenance records with the Panda, including one showing a timing belt job and a new Weber carburetor and fresh suspension bushings. This is a simple car but one that may still have some hard-to-find bits to track down; fortunately, snow season is still a few months away if any mechanical flaws develop in the short term.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Iconic Giugiaro design, the Fiat Panda 4×4, a collaboration with Austrian Steyr-Puch (Mercedes G Wagen manufacturer) rides at the very top. Released in 1987 as a limited edition (500) and due to overwhelming success, Fiat added it to its permanent catalog from 1988 to 1992. This highly collectible first-year 5spd Fiat Panda 4×4 Sisley edition is in super condition and comes complete with original iconic Avorio wheels, factory roof rack, Sisley velour fabric, Alcantara roof liner, and Sisley-specific branding (canoe), etc… No rust. No issues.

All original. Has been and continues to be driven weekly. Fun to drive and peppy. 135,000 km on the odometer (82k miles +/-). Plenty of service records (all major ones done recently incl. timing belt, new original Weber carburetor, bushings, shocks, etc..)

Everything works as it should. Extra parts ($1500) will be included, mostly future maintenance bits for peace of mind and easy/instant access. This Sisley edition is one of a kind in the US (registered and titled in the US for several years now), and Fiat Pandas, especially the 4×4 models are getting more and more attention. You will not find a better unmolested and loved example.”

Quirky and cute or just quirky? This Panda is a serious outlier in the rad 4WD space, but should it become a cult classic?