My Peugeot 205gti (Dimma) Restoration

[dimma205]

I didnt rebuild the beam so cannot comment but the lad that built it has a good reputation at building the beams.

[dimma205]

I have managed to clean up one wheel arch and get in primer as you can see the outer arch and bumper support bracket still need replacing but this will be getting done by bodyshop when they refit kit next up is to rotate car other way so I can do other rear arch then will remove sills and then floor and fit new floor and sills then it will not be far off going to bodyshop hopefully in the new year.

[Shadow R1]

Starting to take shape.

[dimma205]

I have made a start on getting ready for the removal of the floor and I have removed the lower part of the sills but kept top part on to keep strength I have also braced the car across the doors and chassis ready for when floor removed, Inner sills looking ok so far and I have removed one strengthening plate from drivers side going to drill spot welds on bulk head and fuel tank area then hoping to turn car over end of week then can remove strengthening plate and lower sill from passenger side then floor wont be far away from being cut out once I recover from my operation on Monday.























Still have the dents to remove from the chassis legs but will do once floor removed
I have also dropped parts off to be powdercoated.

[dimma205]

I have finally got car turned over the other way and have had a constructive day removing underseal(worse job in the world) managed to get a front arch and the rear arch cleaned and in etch primer this rear arch had suffered more with rot as you can see not much left of the bumper bracket but I have a new on to fit.


Jobs tomorrow if all go well are to remove rest of underseal from the underside then remove front strengthening plate and part of sill ready for floor removal and if I get time may weld last patch onto bootfloor.

[Caddyshack]

That really was rotten. It had a lucky escape with you buying it.

Can't wait to see it finished.

I took delivery of my strongman Clifton scissor lift today for my one....just need to recess it in the garage floor.

[dimma205]

thanks for the comments I'm starting to feel I'm getting somewhere with it now and most rust and rot has allmost been cut out.

[dimma205]

Got a call today from the powdercoaters to tell me my parts were ready so popped in car and went and picked it all up really happy with how it all turned out also got them to blast some bits before they go off to platers next week when I got home there was a parcel with my gaz coilovers in so a good day in all. I have also dropped the steering rack that I stripped and the anti roll bar brackets at the vapour blaster today should have them back next week then can start putting subframe back together and steering rack.

[P I Staker]

Great work with the car, rust repairs tend to be a bit depressing but worth it in the end.

Sorry to ask, what kind of cost are you looking at for powder coating parts like that?

[dimma205]

I paid £150 for everything you can see plus some driveshafts for my dad that price included all the blasting aswell.

[dimma205]

now in two minds what to do with shell as have found a brand new unregistered shell for good money.

[ian328]

In one way it seems a shame having gone through all you have with this shell and the quality of work and time that you have put into it. However if the other shell is rust free it will always be better to start with the best base that you can.

Any differences, does the new shell have a sun roof? Was it originally at GTI? When was your current car converted to a Dimma, and is there an better history in the one that you have?

Putting all new and refurbished parts onto a new shell will make it like a new car. I would go down the new shell if it were me though, if the cost isn't too bad. Would also decrease the potential time frame of the work that you are putting into this one.

Good luck with what ever you choose!

[dimma205]

the new shell is unregistered so never been used its a non sunroof shell which mine would have started life as because it had a dealer fitted sunroof and not a factory one. the shell os not a gti shell but only slight difference with it most notable are rear archs but these have to be cut to fit the dimma kit anyway.

[dimma205]

Had a few more pics sent to me of new shell now just waiting for guy to get back to me so I can put my deposit down and sort out picking it up.

[ian328]

looks like an excellent base!

[dimma205]

Got the steering rack and anti-roll bar brackets from the vapour blasters just need to sort the new bearings for the rack out then can build up subframe ready to be bolted onto new shell.

[dimma205]

Another good day for the project got the call from dimma that wheels are all refurbed so should have them by end of week and picked first batch of parts from platers all looking good there are a few bolts that didn't come up too well but will just replace the worse ones.

[supersingle]

I bet you've got one washer left over at the end

[jord294]

gretsch drummer said:

Whats with those torsion bar ends? They look like they don't have any splines?

just my crap camera!!

i can assure you them bars do have splines and where fitted using good quality grease

[dom9]

Absolutely fantastic!

How on Earth do you remember where everything goes?!