[car_overhaul] 1990 205 Xs Overhaul

[jonnygoodhand 0]

I've been meaning to start a thread on this for a while.

 

I purchased this XS a couple of years ago. It was a fairly straight example and seemed mechanically sound, apart from a rumbling gearbox. Bodywork had its fair share of blemishes, together with a few patches of rust is the usual (and not so) places. It obviously hadn't been polished for a good while either! Stupidly, I never took any pics of it in this state, but the following document it being spruced up.

 

I planned on tackling this in 2 parts. First up, sort the body work, tidy it up, address any glaring issues and get it through the MOT. Phase 2 would be to swap the gearbox, update the shocks, brakes and a few other enhancements.

 

 

 

Ideally, I should've popped the window out, but working on my own and trying to do it quickly, I decided to do it in-situ. Plus, if the rust starts to come through again, it'd probably be easier to just swap the bootlid at some point.

 

Anyone wondering where the paint code is located, it can be found here (well, it can be on this 1990 205).

 

 

It's pretty difficult to see, but if you look harder enough it should be there.

 

 

As you can see, P0WT is the code for this particular 205. AKA Alpine White. I have tried various 'off the shelf' Alpine Whites before now, but it seems there are several variations of Alpine white and none match particularly well - they tend to be too creamy. So this time, I had a couple of cans mixed based on the P0WT code.

 

 

The colour was much better, and pretty much an exact match for the paint in the engine bay. But, as the rest of the car has been exposed to light for over 20 years, it has faded quite a bit. And, as I found out later, it was now much closer to an 'off the shelf' Bianca white.

 

You live and learn, but I still thought it was acceptable.

Edited June 1, 2011 by jonnygoodhand

[jonnygoodhand 0]

Next up, I thought I'd update the wheels. I thought I'd upgrade to 14" and found a set of Partner steels on eBay for a decent price. I set about giving them a quick refurb and sprayed them up a Steel Silver.

 

 

[jonnygoodhand 0]

The driver's side window had given up so I decided to take of the door card to investigate and this is what greeted me.

 

 

The regulator itself was fine, it was just that the runner had completely rotted. A new one from Peugeot cost £15 and I put it all back together. Grateful of my little hands as it is a bit of pain to reassemble through the access hole in the door panel.

[jonnygoodhand 0]

I decided to swap the driver's seat over, as the bolster had completely colapsed and the fabric was torn. There was a guy on eBay was breaking another XS, so I put an offer in for the seats. Couldn't believe it when I got there, as the 205 he was breaking was pretty much immaculate! Far better than this one! Anyway, seats were swapped over.

 

 

Also, my car came with a rather curious gearknob, but I luckily had an original lying around and swapped them over.

 

 

[jonnygoodhand 0]

This car came with a few period features, which I kind of liked. Namely, the sunroof visor and a reflective boot panel. Unfortunately, the boot panel was a little damaged and when I tried to remove it to see if it was fixable, I snapped it in half! However, I stumbled across a brand new one on eBay.

 

 

The decals had become faded and were looking a little tired, so I decided to make up a new set. I made a rubbing of the originals, traced them into the computer and cut some new

 

ones.

 

 

 

I removed the existing ones using a heat gun, but this left me with the usual sticky residue. I've been asked a few times which is the best method for removing this stuff and in

the past I have recommended a degreaser and lots of elbow grease.

 

 

However, I had this chemical lying around and thought I'd give it a try.

 

 

It whipped the residue easily. But, it quite possibly took some lacquer, paint and maybe some skin with it!

 

 

New decals then went on.

 

[jonnygoodhand 0]

As a finishing touch, I decided to make up some number plates and sticker for the rear window, advertising the original supplying dealer.

 

 

 

Car was then sent for it MOT.

 

 

 

 

 

Only the rear brakes needed attention, so now onto Phase 2...

Edited June 1, 2011 by jonnygoodhand

[Anthony 1,003]

That's come out really well! I'm going to keep watching this thread, as it's good to see a much-underrated XS being shown a bit of love - I still miss mine

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

Nice job, looks tidy, reminds me of my old XS

[calvinhorse 870]

sweet!

[tomcolinjones 26]

Thats some nice work going on! Shame about the GTI rear valance... does look better than the xs one tho. what are the plans for ph2?

[jonnygoodhand 0]

Thanks for the comments.

 

Thats some nice work going on! Shame about the GTI rear valance... does look better than the xs one tho. what are the plans for ph2?

 

Forgot to mention I also swapped the valances over!

 

Phase 2 will be 1.9 brakes, replace gearbox and new linkages, new shocks and springs, new engine mounts and few other things I have left over from my old Rallye...

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

It looks great, hats off to you.

[R.G_205 0]

nice job mate i really like the xs's i have a garros need to start my thread soon as well. but keep up the posts!!

[jonnygoodhand 0]

Been meaning to update this for a while.

 

Phase 2 is now complete. Gearbox has been replaced and is possobly the sweetest MA box I've experienced. Bilstein B4s with Eibach springs up front, with 306 GTI6 rear dampers. Uprated gear rods from Miles and 1.9 GTI brake set up.

 

Also, I've just swapped over the wheels. Now fitted with 106 Rallye steels, wrapped in Sailun Ice Blazer winter tyres.

 

Hope it snows before I sell it (?) so I get chance to test them out.

 

Will get some pics up tomorrow...

[Edp 67 3 Cars]

That's come out really well! I'm going to keep watching this thread, as it's good to see a much-underrated XS being shown a bit of love - I still miss mine

 

 

I totally agree, I loved my old xs. Such an underrated motor.

[jonnygoodhand 0]

Final pic. Car is now sold!

 

[vtifan 26]

the best way to remove old adhesive is with a toffee wheel,dont know if thats its technical name but its a soft rubber drill attachment that smells a bit like toffee caramel,lifts adhesive off in seconds without damaging paint

[cybernck 402 1 Cars]

Wow, looks reeeally nice, except for those driving lights .

[BERTMAN 40 1 Cars]

Can you still make those XS decals up? I wouldn't mind a set!

[jamie_1992 66 1 Cars]

did you mean to leave the mumber 1 out of the area code on that rear sticker you put on (its my local dealer)