Work pony
AutoWeek forum user CitroenAZU saw this Seat Terra from 1989 and took some pictures of it. Quite rightly so, because the mini-delivery is a true rarity in the Netherlands. This one is even more special, because it is still with its first owner!
A word of caution: the Seat Terra is the van version of the Seat Marbella – a Seat-badged Fiat Panda – and the predecessor of the Seat Inca, a rebadged Volkswagen Caddy. The latter came on the market as a Volkswagen and as a Seat in 1996, the same year in which the Seat Terra went out of production. After a career of more than sixteen years, it was ready for the delivery brother of the Seat Marbella, which was called Seat Trans until its facelift (in 1986). The Seat Marbella was also called differently before the 1986 facelift: simply Seat Panda.
There was also a ‘van’ of the Fiat Panda, the Panda Van, but that was a ‘regular’ Panda with a small extension at the back. The Fiat never knew a ‘real’ orderer like the Seat Terra, with a really different coach and a somewhat mature cargo space. Somewhat, because the Seat Terra was still barely bigger than a regular Panda. According to the license plate, the car weighs 735 kilos empty, but about 30 kilos more than a Panda or Marbella.
Blood Sweat and tears
The Terra spotted by CitroenAZU is from 1989 and is therefore one after the facelift, otherwise it would also have been called Trans. In that year the car was bought by the same person who is still the (business) owner of the small van today. At first glance it still looks fine, but the MOT history suggests that the Terra has probably known quite a bit of blood, sweat and tears during its recent history. The last five MOT inspections together accounted for 23 reports of defects.
As a result, the owner has not lost heart: the Terra is still driving around and now that it is more than thirty years old, it only needs an MOT inspection once every two years. As a result, he will – unless he has an unfortunate accident – ​​be seen on Dutch roads until at least halfway through 2024. It will not be due to the technology: we suspect that the wear parts will continue to be replaced by its loyal owner and the trusted 100 series engine from Fiat will continue to drag along with its 39 hp almost forever. Furthermore, it is without a doubt a car in the category ‘what is not on it cannot break’, so the owner can continue to do business relatively carefree with the sympathetic Seat under the ass. Nice work!
We thank CitroenAZU for uploading the photos.
The Seat Panda/Marbella was not only available as a Trans/Terra, but also as a Popemobile for a visit to Spain in 1982.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl