St Tropez restoration blog

Tell us about life with your BX, or indeed life in general!
Post Reply
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Des Smith »

vulgalour wrote:Get a clear perspex bonnet made up for giggles, then you can see the shiny stuff and avoid it getting rained on.
I'd laugh because that's such a ridiculous idea, only I have a strong suspicion that someone somewhere has already done it!
vulgalour wrote:I'm actually surprised at how much yours has had to have replaced, it really didn't look that bad to start with.
YOU'RE SURPRISED!!!! The nasty tinworm monster buried his eggs very carefully in my car. Your estate looks like a simple job in comparison, but I wouldn't have thought so a few weeks ago. Then I thought it was a case of welding on the two new wings and a couple of patches, fixing the inner sills and replacing the front subframe. Now the St Tropez resto is turning into the BX equivalent of the 'Six Million Dollar Man'.
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
User avatar
citsncycles
Over 2k
Posts: 3224
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by citsncycles »

Yep, make my work on Timex look simple (so far). I do have to drop the subframe at some point though as I had to do some work round one of the subframe mounts last year.
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Des Smith »

I've been a bit slack at updating the restoration project, so here is the latest. It's been steady progress, with the rear subframe being rebuilt, ready for fitting and the ongoing surgery to replace the corroded structural tinwork. The NOS rear quarter panels have been welded in and the new metal is primed. The latest work completed is welding in the new rear panel. Anyway, a picture paints a thousand words, so here's the photos...

Image
NSR wheel arch with new rear quarter panel

Image
Rear subframe assembly rebuilt

Image
OSR wheel arch and box section

Image
OSR inner wing

Image
OSR sill welded

Image
OSR quarter panel fitted and rear panel ready for welding

Image
Welding in the new rear panel 1

Image
Welding in the new rear panel 2

It's interesting :shock: to see Jaba's thread on his rear subframe woes. I'd be inclined to agree with those who warn about the danger of further rot. Even though I had a good look underneath my car, there was so much corrosion hidden from view. At least my subframe will slot back into the boltholes, but if the shell is so rotten it need complete reconstruction, with all the attendant jigging issues, it needs to be given very serious thought. I was worried that my front subframe was in danger of failing and if that had happened, I rather think it would have been the end of the road for the St Tropez.
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15565
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 141

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Tim Leech »

Thats come along well in a week since I was there.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
User avatar
MULLEY
Over 2k
Posts: 8406
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by MULLEY »

Amazing work, i'm just shuddering at how much all of this is going to cost :( i know its your car for keepers so the expense is less relevant, but even so....
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Des Smith »

MULLEY wrote:Amazing work, i'm just shuddering at how much all of this is going to cost :( i know its your car for keepers so the expense is less relevant, but even so....
TBH, I didn't anticipate the rot was this extensive, but even so, the restoration work was always going to produce a big bottom line and I went into it with eyes open (although watering slightly). The way I look at it, I'm going to end up with a nearly-new BX14, and there aren't too many of those around.

With the benefit of a crystal ball, I should have avoided buying this one and spent a bit more on the mint St Tropez examples that have popped up in the last three years. I certainly won't ever recoup what I'm spending on it, but then again, not many of us are turning a profit after selling on a BX. Those that are still on the road in 10 years' time will probably command better prices simply because of scarcity, inflation and growing interest from collectors, but I'm not kidding myself that DS-style price tags are ever going to be tied on to a BX.
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
User avatar
Jaba
1K Away
Posts: 1893
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:54 am
Location: Usually in the garage
My Cars: BX GTi, C3 Auto
x 80

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Jaba »

Des Smith wrote:
It's interesting :shock: to see Jaba's thread on his rear subframe woes. I'd be inclined to agree with those who warn about the danger of further rot. Even though I had a good look underneath my car, there was so much corrosion hidden from view. At least my subframe will slot back into the boltholes, but if the shell is so rotten it need complete reconstruction, with all the attendant jigging issues, it needs to be given very serious thought. I was worried that my front subframe was in danger of failing and if that had happened, I rather think it would have been the end of the road for the St Tropez.
Thanks for the plug Des. The decision has been made for my estate. It is too far gone. Its an ex BX. But I have two others to keep going so will concentrate my efforts on these.
You will certainly have a top notch restored model after all that work and expense.
The Joy of BX with just one Citroën BX to my name now. Will I sing Bye Bye to my GTI or will it be Till death us do part.
User avatar
Caffiend
Reluctant BXpert
Posts: 1222
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:39 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Caffiend »

I have a couple of pix on my phone from Tues, but have just been so INSANELY busy that I haven't had time to go through the Photobucket rigmarole - Des, if you want to let me have an e-mail address I'll send 'em over :)
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
1991 TZD hatch (Triton Green)
1992 Hurricane
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Des Smith »

Today, work has started on the NS front of the car. Usual health warning, scenes of a distressing nature etc. FWIW, I thought this area was reasonably solid, having already been welded. No such luck. Apologies for any impending offence if anyone reading this was responsible for this 'work', but the word 'shoddy' barely scratches the surface. I think anyone who welds in a bit of metal and apparently fails to finish off with a proper anti-corrosion treatment should be emasculated with a pair of rusty gardening shears, preferably blunt.

Image
General view of NSF wheel arch

The patch went in on the inside of the inner wing but the view from inside the wheel arch shows the extent of the rust and clearly there was no treatment or protection for the very part of the inner wing that cops the worst of conditions. Doubtless a goodly application of water, grit and salt has not done the metal any favours, but it might have had a fighting chance with a some treatment?

Here's a close-up on the suspension turret. There's quite a bit of rust, but I'm hoping it's more surface than deep. [-o< I wonder how close I was to hitting a pothole and launching the strut into the bonnet?

Image
NSF suspension turret

This is the front view of the NS sill. Remarkably the inside of the sill looks quite clean and the second picture suggests that it's been waxoyled.

Image
NSF sill

Image
Inside the NS sill

Given the state of the NSF wheel arch, I'm not looking forward to what will be revealed when the OSF wing comes off. I know there is quite a bit of corrosion, so stand by for some more shockers. Rob assures me there will be something left of the original car, but even I am amazed at the extent of the corrosion that is coming to light. At least I'll know that all the new metal welded in will be properly finished off and treated.
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Des Smith »

This will teach me not to upset caravan-lovers. Rob sent me this picture of some 'little darlings' he found in the gearbox. It's not immediately clear where they should be, but I suspect they're no longer doing what they're supposed to. It could account for the stiff gear selection, although I've always assumed this was down to a dodgy clutch and French precision engineering. Anyway, the gearbox is going off to get a rebuild and hopefully there won't be anymore nasty surprises popping up.

Image
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Des Smith »

Sandre very kindly took some snaps when she was at Chevronics earlier this week. You can see the rear cross-member is back on and everything is more or less complete and primed at the back end.

Image

Image

Image
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
User avatar
MULLEY
Over 2k
Posts: 8406
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by MULLEY »

Would it not be chaper just to find a 2nd hand gearbox rather than getting a rebuild?
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
User avatar
barry badger
BXpert
Posts: 341
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:17 am
Location: north west.
x 7

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by barry badger »

I think when Des gets the final bill, the cost of reconditioning the gearbox is not even going to be noticed!
1993 tzd estate, on sorn
1992 tzd estate, slowly being raided for parts
1992 txd estate, "doom blue" on the road
1991 4x4 estate, on sorn
User avatar
MULLEY
Over 2k
Posts: 8406
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by MULLEY »

Are you going to get the car fully re-piped with cupronickel pipes whilst you're at it? That will mean the should never ever need doing again :)
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Des Smith »

MULLEY wrote:Would it not be cheaper just to find a 2nd hand gearbox rather than getting a rebuild?
Yes, I wondered that. I'm looking at around £350 plus VAT for the work, which Rob subs out. As ever, its about supply and demand and getting a second-hand box with known provenance may be tricky. I don't want to be putting another box on, only to have problems again. The labour is already factored in - I am already having a new clutch and as the subframe is being swapped, there is no additional spannering to do. I haven't been very lucky with Citroen gearboxes - Back in the 90's my BX14 Flight seized solid while I was on holiday in Hereford. The AA recovered me to a BX specialist garage in the town, who did a complete new box - £600 as I recall, which even then was a bit of a 'bargain'. Then I had a gearbox fail in my Xantia - lots of horrible crunching noises followed by a bill of over £1100. I'm beginning to think I'm jinxed. Anyway, I'll keep my fingers crossed that there's no other nasty surprises. [-o< [-o< [-o<
barry badger wrote:I think when Des gets the final bill, the cost of reconditioning the gearbox is not even going to be noticed!
That! I'm already paying Rob in instalments, so it's a long-drawn out ache rather than a sharp pain.

As for re-piping, stop putting ideas into my head!
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
Post Reply