St Tropez restoration blog

[Des Smith]

Just surfaced after a rather busy August.... September started well, with a brief trip down to Calne in the St Tropez and the chance to visit Clarke & Rodway, who supplied her back in August 1990. I hadn't quite worked out how I planned to open the conversation with the staff, and my opening gambit with the receptionist went something like this:

ME: Hello, I've brought in my 1990 BX St Tropez. You originally supplied the car and I wondered whether anyone wanted to have a look at it.

RECEPTIONIST: Oh, right. Is there something wrong with it?

ME: Err, no. It's been fully restored and someone at the CCC National Rally told me it might be of interest to the garage.

By now I was wondering whether this was such a good idea after all. Happily, before I had to explain further, the receptionist retreated in a state of confusion to the back office and repeated my invitation to someone who was possibly a little more au fait with cars. He appears and introduces himself as Martin and he is interested in my car. It transpires he started working at Clarke & Rodway in 1985 and reckoned he would have PDI'd my St Tropez. He gave it a good look over and seemed quite impressed with her condition.

The conversation turns to spares and he felt bound to point out that Clarke & Rodway have a lot of NOS spares for the BX, CX and Ami on the shelves. I don't imagine they would give it away, but if there's anyone within sensible travelling distance of Marlborough looking for spares, they could do worse than calling them.

I had one last question for him. Given his extensive experience with Citroens, which one did he like the best? His answer will disappoint many - he was fondest of the Xantia.

Anyway, here's a few photos - these are the first I've taken since I got the St Tropez back from Chevronic. Slack, I know...









The last two were taken outside Bowood House and I finally remembered to put her in 'low' before taking the snaps. Tangentially, the nearby Lansdowne Arms serves a very tasty pint of Wadworth 6X. Thoroughly recommended!

[saintjamesy89]

Mmmm, St Tropez is looking rather nice and shiny, looks like a new BX. You must be properly chuffed Des.

I think you can just about see, but my TXD turbo also came from Clark & Rodway! It still has the sealer sticker on the bottom of the rear window.

[Thread Bear]

Couldn't let my last post go without a photo...

Red is a weird colour - the MX3 always comes out more orangy-red in the photos than in real life, and I expect someone can probably post up the physics behind it. This shade is definitely less inclined to go pink than Venetian Red; it just goes flat and dull if unpolished.

Have you ever met a real Venetian?

[Defender110]

.

The conversation turns to spares and he felt bound to point out that Clarke & Rodway have a lot of NOS spares for the BX, http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/9673 ... c1a82e.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[/img][/url]

Have they got any valve cap covers???

[Stinkwheel]

.

The conversation turns to spares and he felt bound to point out that Clarke & Rodway have a lot of NOS spares for the BX, http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/9673 ... c1a82e.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[/img][/url]

Have they got any valve cap covers???

Seconded, I only need one to make up the set on my own St Tropez (happy to spray normal ones white if they have)

[Des Smith]

Have they got any valve cap covers???

I didn't ask, because I know someone who has! 15-all!

@Tom - Small world! I did consider asking them for a new dealer sticker but that would just make my rear window look untidy - CCC, Chevronic and BX Club is probably the limit. However, I can boast an original C&R tax disc holder!

@T-Bear - Sorry, never been to Venice... Too many f@&king gondolas. I am, however, well trained in how to make a venetian blind.

[vulgalour]

Glad I checked in to see how this one was getting along, it looks superb after your investment in her, worth every single penny I'd say.

[BX Bandit]

I am, however, well trained in how to make a venetian blind.

Twat him in the face with a twiggy stick?

[Des Smith]

Twat him in the face with a twiggy stick?

Close enough! Same kind of behaviour will make a Maltese Cross.

[Thread Bear]

But it seems nothing will make a Greek Urn.

[BX Bandit]

I can make a Swiss Roll!

[Des Smith]

The St Tropez is back at Chevronic for the final phase of the restoration. Rob has sourced a pair of rust- and dent-free replacement wings which are at the paintshop and the wheels are coming off to be shotblasted and powder coated; they will be re-shod with Michelins. The wheel covers should be getting a coat of alpine white as well. Looking good for the NEC!

[Defender110]

Dent free and replacement what

[mat_fenwick]

I'm guessing wings? Remind me to park mine on the other end of the stand to yours, Des - I don't want mine to look too neglected in comparison

[Des Smith]

Mat wins the missing word competition. My blog and I knew what I was talking about (for once)!