[car_restoration] Saved From The Chavs! Cherry Red Restoration

[SkyQuake 70 1 Cars]

Dear All,

 

Well, it's taken me a while, but I have finally managed to lay my hands on a nice 'Cherry Red' (currently orange!), phase 2 GTI. She runs pretty nicely (although the idle is lumpy - nothing a good clean out won't sort), and she's just shy of 100,000 miles, so not bad! Unfortunately, she's been defiled by a baseball cap wearing boy racer, and has a few, less than original modifications. Namely:

1. Stupid jet nozzle exhaust back box.
   
2. Ridiculous myopic eye headlights.
   
3. Perspex sunroof bubble!
   
4. An abundance of carbon fibre effect vinyl, and to top it all off,
   
5. An invincible class aircraft carrier ski jump spoiler, cunningly fashioned from foam rubber and sikaflexed onto the rear hatch (I curse you for that!)
   

I now plan to strip her down (removing all of the abominations), give her a general tidy up. and get her a full respray. The only mods will be the triple air-horn and klaxon out of my now defunct GTX (god only knows where I'm going to put them!) and a modest CD player.

 

Here's some pictures. She actually looks much tidier in these shots than up close (but it was an incredible day today!)

 

 

 

Can anyone tell me the story behind this type of reflective boot trim? Obviously it's very different from the more common black slatted type, but does it have any significance? I can't decide whether I like it, and as the bloody stupid spoiler is going to be such a bitch to remove, I did wonder whether it would be easier just to switch the entire tailgate for another? Is this sacrilegious, opinions please!?

 

 

And look at this abomination!

 

 

There's a bit of rust forming around the rear passenger's wheel arch, which I need to get on top of in a hurry. This appears to be where the panel is coming away from the arch, and there's a bit of water getting in. Fortunately, I don't think it's gone too far yet, so I was planning just to clean it down to bare metal and treat it with rust killer. I was then going to re-attach the panel with tigerseal and clean-up, prime and paint. Would you agree that this is a suitable approach? Any advice is welcomed.

 

 

Shot of the damage from inside. As I said, I think it's quite early on, so I should be able to kill it without chopping anything out!

 

 

If you're reading this, and the below is your handiwork, my apologies, but you should be ashamed of yourself!

 

 

And here's the noisemaker! All round I'm pretty chuffed, she's in pretty good nick. I've owned her for just over 24 hours, and already two people have tried to buy her from me! I have never been this cool!

 

 

Any advice, tips or just comments on the above would be most welcome.

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

Can anyone tell me the story behind this type of reflective boot trim? Obviously it's very different from the more common black slatted type, but does it have any significance?

 

If you don't like it, there are people out there prepared to pay a good amount for it.

 

Good luck with it. Camera's always make cherry look worse than it is - unless it is actually orange at the back

 

Luckily the 'choice' mods are simple enough to swap over for originals in no time at all for little money. Someone on eBay may actually pay more for those headlights than what replacements will cost you. Yep, there are some odd people out there.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Admittedly the carbon sticker mirrors and foam spoiler are pretty gash, but the sunroof wind deflector and reflective rear moulding are definite "period modifications".

[omega 82]

i like it.

the red strip on the back are quite sort after so if you want to sell it you will get lots of offers

i like the lights as well,will look a lot better if you get them painted the same colour.

[bigearmuffs 9]

I am new to Peugeot's in general (bit of a Ford history) and my current project is being hugely influenced by both a 16 + 17 year old, but the mods are not bad, the exhaust looks well (providing this is not some stick on cover over a pea shooter), the headlights not so good (but again down to taste) look like a morettes copy, sunroof bubble & rear spoiler different (I think in a good way), lastly not sold on the carbon fiber effect but if you had said they were carbon fiber it would be hard to say otherwise.

 

Sorry forgot, also the rear reflective would in some eye's be a rare addition (previously mentioned quite period).

 

Different folks different strokes, seems a bit harsh to label it chav, as if you have people already approached you to take it off your hands something must set it apart, look forward to watching the updates.

Edited July 23, 2012 by bigearmuffs

[kyepan 291]

That looks solid, best of luck with the resto

[N3VRAM 12 1 Cars]

Those lights are.. interesting Tidy looking engine bay there though mate look forward to reading about where this goes!

[welshpug 1,661]

I don't see anything wrong at all with any of those minor mods, as mentioned many of them are quite well known period mods and additions.

 

only thing I would check is those tyres, not a tread pattern I know so quite likely to be well past their best.

 

 

I fear you will have much worse than you imagine on that lower 1/4 panel though, if it has bubbled its well gone under that seam sealant and paint.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

only thing I would check is those tyres, not a tread pattern I know so quite likely to be well past their best.

 

Goodyear NCT2's, from the early 90's, almost certainly rock hard by now.

[welshpug 1,661]

EEP!

[Carbs4me 45]

The previous owner of my 205 did the carbon wrap on the wing mirrors too!

[SkyQuake 70 1 Cars]

Dear All,

 

Many thanks for your replies. I appreciate the comments.

 

Extra thanks to Welshpug and Tom F, who have correctly identified that my tyres are all but completely brittle. I'd like to think that with more time I'd have spotted this myself, but I may have missed it, so many thanks. Your expert eyes have saved me a potential disaster!

 

Clearly I have been a little harsh in condemning the extra-curricular additions! I don't actually dislike the spoiler too much, it's just the gash way in which it has been bonded on which is giving me issues! As the red reflective trim is popular, that will definitely stay, although it will need some restoration (it's split and crazed a bit in the sun). Perhaps I could even learn to live with the exhaust, it does sound rather good, after all!

 

Unfortunately, I will never be able to live with the headlights, or sunroof perspex bubble thing, so you'll be seeing them on eBay shortly! The carbon fibre vinyl will be finding it's way into the bin immediately!

 

In stripping the trim off all round, I have managed to uncover a couple more patches of rust, which will need attention. The worst of which seems to be the bumper mounting flange on the passenger's 1/4 panel, which has all but dissolved. Presumably I will have to locate a donor one of these and get it welded into place?

 

More updates to follow as work progresses.

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

 

 

Goodyear NCT2's, from the early 90's, almost certainly rock hard by now.

Oh Fenton, you nerd! You can stop laughing at my Peugeot facts Tyre Boy ! :-)

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

As fitted to a black Metro turbo my Dad had for a few months when I was about 15, I polished it to death and wanted it as my first car, then he sold it

These details never leave you! But don't worry H, you are still the only gay in our village.

I also had some about 8 years ago that came on the track car when we bought it, they were used for some time as "wets" until I realised tyres made from granite would have been more use.

[Eliganza 2]

The only thing I don't like are the morettes tbf...and the side repeaters, just noticed those!

Edited July 25, 2012 by Eliganza

[McDude 33]

I'm not a fan of the reflective rear strip, but as others have mentioned there are people who do. There's even a recent thread in wanted where someone is after one.

 

Doesn't look like massive work to get it back to standard.

[SkyQuake 70 1 Cars]

Dear All,

 

Progress is being made. Nearly all of the trims are off, with the exception of the front ones; couldn't figure out how they came off (but a bit of googling later, I now know how to do it!).

 

Managed to get the rear bumper and valance off eventually. Man, what a bitch that can be, when you stupidly haven't noticed the nuts for the bumper mounting brackets on the inside of the boot!! I had a look at the top side of the bumper, and worked out that I could only access the bumper T-bolt nuts from underneath (not knowing about the others inside!) I therefore decided to remove the valance; the screws and clips took five minutes, with the exception that effing tiny one in the middle, which took five hours. With this out the way, I could then get on the bumper t-bolt nuts, which sheared off with relative ease! Incidentally, it appears that the short T-Bolts are no longer available, looks like I'll be cutting down some long ones then!

 

 

The two little poxy sheet metal brackets for the valance were rusted to buggery, and I couldn't find any on ebay. Looks like I'll have to get some cut on the laser cutter at work. If anyone else wants any while I'm at it, let me know!

 

The passenger's side bumper mounting flange wasn't as corrupted as I at first thought, but it is almost completely detached. I may be able to save the metal I need and simply reinforce it with a section of angle, unless anyone has any better ideas?

 

 

Looks like the rear brakes have seen some action too. I'm not sure there's any pad left in there at all actually!

 

 

More updates to follow.

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

[MiniGibbo 142]

That's not chavved up at all lol..

 

I was expecting hanging body kits and blue seats....

 

Easily brought back to what I assume you plan "oem".

[McDude 33]

That's a non-standard rear wiper arm there! Looks like it's from a Clio.

 

Good work on (starting) restoring it back to standard - I love cherry reds, don't tell my car, but I think I prefer them to white.

[SkyQuake 70 1 Cars]

Dear All,

 

The strip down is progressing quite well. I think I've had three whole bolts which didn't shear!

 

Front and rear bumper mounting brackets (counter leaves?) were all rusted to hell, but fortunately they're easy to get hold of! The bumper mounting buffers and various stupid brackets, hex stand offs and so on are more difficult to come by! I'm going to have fun and games sourcing these, but I have seen that some are available on here from various skilled forum members!

 

Can anyone tell me whether it is normal for there to be only one fan in the twin fan mounting, or was someone trying to save a little weight?

 

 

The rad's looking a bit worse for wear too, so I may have to switch this out.

 

 

Finally, I've found some beautiful iron oxide one the insides of the front wing, which are going to give me hell!

 

 

I was really hoping to get the respray done without having to remove the engine, but I was thinking that it might be worth dropping the subframe and refurbing this and the suspension arms. Could anyone tell me how difficult is this likely to be?

 

Last question, I really need to get the power steering bottle and hoses out of my way, but I need to keep the vehicle mobile. Can I drain the PAS and still drive the vehicle (onto and off a trailer, and around my place of work?)

 

Many thanks for your help.

 

Mike

[welshpug 1,661]

these only need one fan, hence only one being fitted.

 

you will find two on a Diesel and turbo diesel, possibly auto's too IIRC, a 1.9 would typically have an air-oil cooler bolted in the middle of the right hand hole.

[sensualt101 31 1 Cars]

thats not a bad base car and i have certainly seen a lot worse!

 

i also spotted the mk 1 clio rear wiper arm and like that mod!

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

a 1.9 would typically have an air-oil cooler bolted in the middle of the right hand hole.

 

Could be a later 1.9 with the oil/water exchanger.

 

With regards the PAS, if you really feel the need to disconnect and drain, then remove the aux belt so the pump is not being driven. Obviously then no alternator but if it is just for moving about a bit it should be OK depending on how good the battery is.

[SkyQuake 70 1 Cars]

With regards the PAS, if you really feel the need to disconnect and drain, then remove the aux belt so the pump is not being driven. Obviously then no alternator but if it is just for moving about a bit it should be OK depending on how good the battery is.

 

Now, this kind of genius is exactly why I joined this forum! Having disconnected the PAS, I looked long and hard at the pump, trying to figure out a way of stopping it pissing out all over everywhere once the engine was started. I looked good and hard at the aux belt as well, and still it didn't twig. Finally, I opted to reconnect just the pipe, before turning the engine over several times.to clear the remaining fluid. This made a mess. Your way, on the whole, would have been better.

 

Moving on. I eventually managed to remove the mahoosive spoiler, only to find that the plank who fitted it has made a right royal mess of the tailgate! Not only has several gallons of sikaflex been used, but also the roof is bent, dented and drilled to take the sheet metal self tappers used to fit the spoiler. I fear that I will now have to re-fit the spoiler at the end just to cover up the scars! The spoiler is quite heavily weathered, but I think if I paint it in plastidip then it ought to look good as new.

 

 

 

Alternatively, If somehow I manage to strip off the sika and make a reasonable job of repairing the tailgate, what spoiler should a 1.9 phase 2 have as standard. I've seen the smaller rubber ones with five mounting holes (which my tailgate seems to have, but they're blocked off), but they all seem to state Phase 1.5. Any comments on this?

 

Many thanks,

 

Mike

[SkyQuake 70 1 Cars]

Well, after stripping the under-seal of the rear n/s wheel arch, it wasn't looking too bad at first.

 

 

Unfortunatly however, Welshpug appears to have been bang on the money. Damn!

 

I fear you will have much worse than you imagine on that lower 1/4 panel though, if it has bubbled its well gone under that seam sealant and paint.

 

Let the games begin!

 

 

 

If you found this image amusing, then you watch too much porn!

 

 

Having dug down to investigate this, this is clearly not the first time this job has been done. I have differing trim rivets in only this panel, and there's clearly more seam sealant around this arch than the other side. They did a bloody good job of making it look good, because it's taken me this long to work it out. It's a pity they didn't put that much effort into re-attaching the panel!

 

Now, obviously cutting the rust back, treating it and repairing is one thing, but how can I be sure that it hasn't travelled down from here into the sill? Short of filling it up with genolite, I haven't got much choice other than to separate the quarter panel all the way along the base and try and peel it back to inspect, without damaging it! Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Finally, how would you attempt the repair? Is a glass-fibre inner liner acceptable (if a bit pikey) or will I be cutting sections out of my donor GTX and welding them into place on the inside? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers,