St Tropez restoration blog

Tell us about life with your BX, or indeed life in general!
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Des Smith
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by 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...

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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!
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
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saintjamesy89
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by 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.

Image
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Thread Bear
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Thread Bear »

Des Smith wrote: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? :lol:
Miguel - 16 TRS Auto S, light blue, 43k miles - £450
Pluto - 14 E S, White, 105k Miles - in work
Egbert - 19 16v Gti, White, A/C & Leather, - Keeper
Walt - 17 TZD Turbo S, graphite, 70k miles, good op extras - Keeper
Scraper- 17 TZD Turbo E, blue, 208k miles - parts
Homer - 19 TXD E, Red, 189k miles - £250
Gary - 17 TZD Turbo E, 118k miles - in work

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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Defender110 »

Des Smith wrote:.

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??? :wink:
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Stinkwheel
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Stinkwheel »

Defender110 wrote:
Des Smith wrote:.

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??? :wink:

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

Post by Des Smith »

Defender110 wrote: Have they got any valve cap covers??? :wink:
[-X 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.
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
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vulgalour
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by 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.
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BX Bandit
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by BX Bandit »

Des Smith wrote: I am, however, well trained in how to make a venetian blind.
Twat him in the face with a twiggy stick?
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Des Smith
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Des Smith »

BX Bandit wrote:Twat him in the face with a twiggy stick?
Close enough! Same kind of behaviour will make a Maltese Cross.
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
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Thread Bear
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Thread Bear »

But it seems nothing will make a Greek Urn.
Miguel - 16 TRS Auto S, light blue, 43k miles - £450
Pluto - 14 E S, White, 105k Miles - in work
Egbert - 19 16v Gti, White, A/C & Leather, - Keeper
Walt - 17 TZD Turbo S, graphite, 70k miles, good op extras - Keeper
Scraper- 17 TZD Turbo E, blue, 208k miles - parts
Homer - 19 TXD E, Red, 189k miles - £250
Gary - 17 TZD Turbo E, 118k miles - in work

'87 Trooper, Borgwards, Saabs, MG ZB, Bellamy Trials, Fiat Jolly & Bianchina, Goggo Dart, Messerschmitt, Heinkel, Bubblecars
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by BX Bandit »

I can make a Swiss Roll!
1990 BX 16V Platinum Grey
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1971 Triumph 2000 Auto Valencia Blue
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Des Smith
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by 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!
Last edited by Des Smith on Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
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Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Defender110 »

Dent free and replacement what :?:
Kevan
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mat_fenwick
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by 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 :lol:
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Des Smith
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Re: St Tropez restoration blog

Post by Des Smith »

Mat wins the missing word competition. My blog and I knew what I was talking about (for once)!
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987