Re-building classic cars
Discussion
Hello, I've got an old Peugeot 205 that I want to re-build, either myself or get someone to do it for me, I haven't decided yet. I would intend the car to be useable every day and not be a sort of pampered concourse car.
If I was to get someone to rebuild the car for me, how would I know it was safe (by 1991 standard...) and that the people who did it hadn't missed something?
Does anyone on here have experience of using professionals to do something like this and whether any of them go through any sort of quality procedures? Or, does anyone know if there is some sort of inspection I could have done on the car - over and above the MOT - after it was re-built or during the process?
If I was to get someone to rebuild the car for me, how would I know it was safe (by 1991 standard...) and that the people who did it hadn't missed something?
Does anyone on here have experience of using professionals to do something like this and whether any of them go through any sort of quality procedures? Or, does anyone know if there is some sort of inspection I could have done on the car - over and above the MOT - after it was re-built or during the process?
I'd say an option is to interact with the restoration people during the rebuild, and choose the company carefully. One of the difficulties with repairing bodywork when you perhaps can't get the original panels, and can't fix them in place the same way that the factory did, is whether that will affect the structure in any significant way.
I don't know of a way to check - there's so much metalwork that just isn't visible once the car is roadworthy. I've wondered the same about my restoration, did I do good enough welds, is everything strong enough? It'll be interesting to see what others have to say on the subject.
I don't know of a way to check - there's so much metalwork that just isn't visible once the car is roadworthy. I've wondered the same about my restoration, did I do good enough welds, is everything strong enough? It'll be interesting to see what others have to say on the subject.
Yeah, all you've really got is to use someone with a good reputation, and watch and ask questions as they do it. Anyone decent will probably be falling over themselves to show you what they've done anyway.
Did my MG myself, and though as above you sometimes think, "was my welding good enough", you then remember how many holes and bodges you found when stripping it apart after driving it for a couple of years, and stop worrying
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Did my MG myself, and though as above you sometimes think, "was my welding good enough", you then remember how many holes and bodges you found when stripping it apart after driving it for a couple of years, and stop worrying
. Oldbutgood said:
What about things like assembling suspension and doing everything up to the correct torque, how do you know someone's done that? And what about electrical safety? And checking the car is watertight?
Do you know how to do all that?It would be blindingly obvious if something was not tightened correctly very quickly.
It's always going to be cheaper to buy a good car than get a rough one restored unless it is something really rare. If you can do all the work yourself you may save cash.
The biggest problem will be finding a good car to buy. At least if you get one restored properly it will definitely be a good car. Bit of a catch 22 really no easy answer.
If it was me I would hunt out a decent (ish) car and bring it up to standard myself.
The biggest problem will be finding a good car to buy. At least if you get one restored properly it will definitely be a good car. Bit of a catch 22 really no easy answer.
If it was me I would hunt out a decent (ish) car and bring it up to standard myself.
Total loss said:
GTi ? What needs rebuilding? they are very simple cars.
Rust? High mileage worn out suspension? non runner?
Getting the work done might well cost more the the cars worth, could be cheaper to buy a good car & not have the hassle, which there will be.
Yep quite agree, if it's not a GTI (205) then your rebuild costs will almost certainly be more than buying a good/mint example in the first place. However you may be just doing this for the challenge of the rebuild, in which case fine, enjoy it.Rust? High mileage worn out suspension? non runner?
Getting the work done might well cost more the the cars worth, could be cheaper to buy a good car & not have the hassle, which there will be.
Beware of hourly rates - someone who charges £30 an hour might seem superficially attractive but if the rate is inclusive of tea/pee breaks and he works at a slug's pace you will become seriously out of pocket.
Best advice I can give - if you haven't already - is learn as much as you can about the car and how it ticks both through the web and purchase of a Haynes manual. Join Club Peugeot UK and speak to other 205 owners of their experiences.
I get your point about torque settings and safety - we all tend to trust our specialists but the knowledge of how to double check these things is invaluable. I watched one of those Air Crash Investigation things last night - an horrific helicopter accident in the USA. Sikorsky had identified metal fatigue promoted by the interaction between the titanium studs and steel nuts that held the oil filter housing to the main gearbox. A recall and retro fit of steel studs/nuts was advised but the offshore company involved decided to defer this until the chopper's next routine service....
We had 3 205 1.4 GRs when my sons were first driving in the early noughties.
Brilliant little cars that went well & handled well.
Simple to work on & spares readily available & cheap.
Built like tanks - all 3 were written off as a result of accident damage, 2 not at fault & the last at fault rolled into a field but the occupant walked away with minor bumps & bruises.
No corrosion issues - other than a small patch on the rear part of the sill on one about 3" square. When I cut the corrosion off the inner sill was still covered in factory wax & in perfect condition.
Get yourself the Haynes manual & some spanners.
Brilliant little cars that went well & handled well.
Simple to work on & spares readily available & cheap.
Built like tanks - all 3 were written off as a result of accident damage, 2 not at fault & the last at fault rolled into a field but the occupant walked away with minor bumps & bruises.
No corrosion issues - other than a small patch on the rear part of the sill on one about 3" square. When I cut the corrosion off the inner sill was still covered in factory wax & in perfect condition.
Get yourself the Haynes manual & some spanners.
It's not a GTi, it's not rusty (galvanised etc) but the paint is flaking off. It's done nearly 150,000 miles and has a blown head gasket and some sort of iron in the oil wear issue (I did an oil test). I've had the car for 25 years and it's basically like one of my limbs (I have never claimed to be normal). Also I'm an engineer and I know the car inside out having had it so long. So replacing it isn't an option, and I'm happy to do the work really, but It's about the time it would take and whether it would drive me nuts doing it in a single garage, or whether I could trust someone else to do it "correctly".
Did all the work on ours outside. (incl 3 engine & box swaps on a Metro)
Still do on our current vehicles.
Very rarely get wet, if it's cold just dress accordingly.
Some servicing jobs are best left until warmer weather.
Some attraction to having it done by a garage - the paintwork for one - but the cost is going to be prohibitive.
Still do on our current vehicles.
Very rarely get wet, if it's cold just dress accordingly.
Some servicing jobs are best left until warmer weather.
Some attraction to having it done by a garage - the paintwork for one - but the cost is going to be prohibitive.
Anything is possible (or more realistically most things are possible). The reassuring thing with something like a 205 is that parts are available so if you cock something up you can always buy a replacement, though at a cost. Bodywork is the main thing that scares me these days. I've gradually learned how to do most other things.
Saying all that I've been quite happy working away on my 104 and my mk2 escort but won't restore my 205 by myself as cumulatively it needs too many things doing for me to make it all good again by myself.
Saying all that I've been quite happy working away on my 104 and my mk2 escort but won't restore my 205 by myself as cumulatively it needs too many things doing for me to make it all good again by myself.
Having your 205 rebuilt by a professional will be very expensive. Just an engine rebuild could be over a thousand. 205 rear axles are notorious for destroying the radius arm bearings. Then of course there is no point spending money on the mechanics if the body is crap.
The car needs to be inspected by a Peugeot specialist, who will then be able to give you some sort of costing and advice.
Are you anywhere near Newbury? if so give Mike Butler a call, he is a Peugeot boffin, a first rate technician. www.autosolutionsnewbury.co.uk
The car needs to be inspected by a Peugeot specialist, who will then be able to give you some sort of costing and advice.
Are you anywhere near Newbury? if so give Mike Butler a call, he is a Peugeot boffin, a first rate technician. www.autosolutionsnewbury.co.uk
"What about things like assembling suspension and doing everything up to the correct torque, how do you know someone's done that? And what about electrical safety? And checking the car is watertight?"
To be honest it sounds like classic car ownership is not for you, spending a fortune restoring a call to then use as a daily will not end well.
Buy a good usable car and try it for a year. Unless the car has sentimental attachment the plan is mental...
To be honest it sounds like classic car ownership is not for you, spending a fortune restoring a call to then use as a daily will not end well.
Buy a good usable car and try it for a year. Unless the car has sentimental attachment the plan is mental...
standardman said:
"What about things like assembling suspension and doing everything up to the correct torque, how do you know someone's done that? And what about electrical safety? And checking the car is watertight?"
To be honest it sounds like classic car ownership is not for you, spending a fortune restoring a call to then use as a daily will not end well.
Let's face it most restorations are mental from any rational standpoint. But I agree. That level of worry, and owning a classic, are not easy bedfellows. To be honest it sounds like classic car ownership is not for you, spending a fortune restoring a call to then use as a daily will not end well.
Oldbutgood said:
What about things like assembling suspension and doing everything up to the correct torque, how do you know someone's done that? And what about electrical safety? And checking the car is watertight?
I'm not a professional, but when I built my car I used a paint pen to mark any nuts/bolts once I'd torqued them - just saved the time of re-doing it the next week if I couldn't remember. The guy at the SVA test remarked on it as good practice.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff