What is this worth? 19TRS auto Olympic Blue needs work

[maxgreenwood]

On Saturday i looked at an 1989 Olympic blue 19TRS auto hatch. 135000 miles.

I'm wondering in reality how much it's worth and whether it might be worth taking on and resurecting / get an idea of what to offer.
I like the model and spec so i'd be interested in restoring it.

Good points:
nice colour, although very faded on the wings and doors but the bonnet and roof + bumper were resprayed and so look good.
mk1 alloys - nice!
autobox was smooth, fluid a good colour
not much rust in usual places (no salt on the roads) but just beginning around 1 rear door shut / front wings okish, but alarmingly a 2mm gap above the driver's side door hinge where it has rusted through. Rear boot seam looked pretty good.
All electrics work, although sunroof could do with a lube.
Was owned by a Citroen dealer up to 2003 and 115000 miles who it sounds like looked after it. Current owner 10 years.
I asked if it used any oil - apparently not.
Rode well, no sign of rear arm bearing wear.
Glovebox not broken

Bad points:
It hasn't had an NCT (Irish MOT) for 2 or 3 years
Engine was very lumpy, still a bit so when warmed up. Plugs, points may sort this.
Needs new accumulator sphere, belt, possibly cambelt, All fluids changing although didn't look in too bad condition.
Very difficult to start - does alot of cranking cause excessive engine wear?
It's only done 20,000 miles in the last 10 years
Cracked windscreen
Rear spoiler very perished
Interior faded and seat covers frayed / torn in places. Rattly steering column shroud.
Tappety noise from engine, possible piston slap under load. Would need a good tune up.

So how much is it worth? Scrap? a bit more for rarity?

If i could get it running smoothly, get it welded, i could see myself running and enjoying it, as long as it doesn't start burning oil (valve stem seals may become an issue)

Any opinions much appreciated

[Tim Leech]

£200 tops. That mint one sold for £700? Recently. Lovely drive but petrol autos aren't popular.

[mds141]

Hi Max. I'd offer them slightly above scrap value. Put in an offer of, say £200 and take it from there. Good luck with it and keep us informed.

[MULLEY]

No MOT = Scrap

[maxgreenwood]

thanks guys! probably didn't need to go into such detail! I'd forgotten about the 70k one, that looked very nice.

However, any uk BX costs €720 to reregister here

but yes scrap plus a bit

[citronut]

i dont remember BX's having contact breaker ignition, apart from maybe the very first 1.4's, then i dint think they did either,

the running/starting issue could just be down to moisture in the emulsion tube in the carb, which is caused by the crank breather being blocked, then droplets of moisture build up on the underside of the carb rubber hood, and drip straight into the jets between the two carb venturi's,

first thing i would do is remove the top of the carb and all the jets, then give it all a good blow/clean out

regards malcolm

[Tinkley]

I think your right Malcolm, my old 150C engined 1.4 did not have points. I would almost put money on the distributor cap/rotor arm and leads followed by carb clean and clearing all breathers being the cause of lumpy running.

[maxgreenwood]

Thanks again

I'm tempted to go down there and do some work on it for him just to see if I can get it running smoothly- would be a great buzz. The top of the oil filler was very clogged up with brown and white emulsiony looking stuff.

It's a beautiful part of the world and would make a good camping trip. No mistake it's a banger and needs that crucial door hinge welding but could be good for a few more thousand miles with a good clean out and fluids change. Seemed pretty solid otherwise.

[citronut]

sounds like a plan has been hatched then Max

you do know the main breather gauze that gets blocked/forgotten about is inside the oil filler neck????

regards malcolm

[citsncycles]

If it's only done local running about that emulsion stuff shouldn't be a problem, but if it persists it could be a sign of coolant getting in the oil.

[Tim Leech]

Ive had quite a few petrol ones that have only pottered about and as Mike says you get emusified oil in the filler gauze which originally I feared was a h/g but turned out to be fine.

[maxgreenwood]

Sounds like its just done local short runs for the last 10 years

sounds like a plan has been hatched then Max

you do know the main breather gauze that gets blocked/forgotten about is inside the oil filler neck????

Yes this was very clogged up

He wants to hang on to it and see if he can get it running smooth and get it through an NCT. Ive emailed him a detailed run down of what needs doing so he knows what's involved. I have offered to help with a response something to the effect of paying me the 'full rate' - a few pints if Guinness then .. Especially good at the locals in Kerry.

Watch this space