Citroen BX 1.9D 'The Estate' - Barn Stored to Bahn Stormer?
Discussion
I think you can all tell from the video how surprised we were when it started first time.
Apart from moving a couple of years back to fit the new interior, it genuinely has been in that barn for about 6 years. It deserves a bit of TLC now, and I am quite jealous that I didn't have the balls to push it back into daily use.
Very much looking forward to driving this car again
Apart from moving a couple of years back to fit the new interior, it genuinely has been in that barn for about 6 years. It deserves a bit of TLC now, and I am quite jealous that I didn't have the balls to push it back into daily use.
Very much looking forward to driving this car again
I think restoration is probably a step too far for me. At the end of the day, I'm pressing it into daily service. The idea of driving round in something from 1989 in a modern world of bland lard boxes is appealing (especially as it'll also be uber-cheap to run!)
But I can't have it like my other BX, which I also worry about when leaving parked on a road somewhere. I drive that into the floor, but the mechanicals are tough so I don't worry. But deep down I'm a right poof about it!
With The Estate, it's here to do a job, just like it did before. The difference I think this time is that I'll service it, keep it a bit cleaner and deliberately crash it less than I used to
It's not original (wheels, interior, some mechanical 'modifications' etc) and it'll never be a show car, but I reckon it's worth sorting the rust out on the body at some time and generally sprucing it up without ploughing loads of time into it, because time is something I don't have.
But I can't have it like my other BX, which I also worry about when leaving parked on a road somewhere. I drive that into the floor, but the mechanicals are tough so I don't worry. But deep down I'm a right poof about it!
With The Estate, it's here to do a job, just like it did before. The difference I think this time is that I'll service it, keep it a bit cleaner and deliberately crash it less than I used to
It's not original (wheels, interior, some mechanical 'modifications' etc) and it'll never be a show car, but I reckon it's worth sorting the rust out on the body at some time and generally sprucing it up without ploughing loads of time into it, because time is something I don't have.
Kitchski said:
I think restoration is probably a step too far for me. At the end of the day, I'm pressing it into daily service. The idea of driving round in something from 1989 in a modern world of bland lard boxes is appealing (especially as it'll also be uber-cheap to run!)
But I can't have it like my other BX, which I also worry about when leaving parked on a road somewhere. I drive that into the floor, but the mechanicals are tough so I don't worry. But deep down I'm a right poof about it!
With The Estate, it's here to do a job, just like it did before. The difference I think this time is that I'll service it, keep it a bit cleaner and deliberately crash it less than I used to
It's not original (wheels, interior, some mechanical 'modifications' etc) and it'll never be a show car, but I reckon it's worth sorting the rust out on the body at some time and generally sprucing it up without ploughing loads of time into it, because time is something I don't have.
If it was myself I'd probably do exactly the above, just make sure the tin worm doesn't get to it!But I can't have it like my other BX, which I also worry about when leaving parked on a road somewhere. I drive that into the floor, but the mechanicals are tough so I don't worry. But deep down I'm a right poof about it!
With The Estate, it's here to do a job, just like it did before. The difference I think this time is that I'll service it, keep it a bit cleaner and deliberately crash it less than I used to
It's not original (wheels, interior, some mechanical 'modifications' etc) and it'll never be a show car, but I reckon it's worth sorting the rust out on the body at some time and generally sprucing it up without ploughing loads of time into it, because time is something I don't have.
I recall the previous thread on this car and admiring it then. Even reading this again today I am genuinely staggered at how well the car's held up, these old French diesels really were in a different league weren't they? Especially looking at Citroen, and compared to their more modern offerings. I hope it gives you many more years of reliable service
Well, happily today was another one of those good days. I went to The Estate at the end of the day to have a poke:
Thought the snow might help clean it, but no joy:
Dragged it into the workshop to get it onto the ramp and see what's what underneath. The whole plan hinges on the condition underneath - if it's rotten as a pear I can't afford the time to put into it.
Looks a bit out of place in the usual company:
Still sporting the greenery:
Verdict? Good news. Bloody good news in fact!
Pictures are woeful due to phone-cam, but the upshot is that the underside is not only in good condition, it needs no welding from what I can see. It's also in much better condition than my red 16v! Looks like the old boy we bought it off used to underseal it with something decent, which is brilliant news!
Pics don't mean much:
The only bit that needs attention.....treatment and painting is all I need to do:
Fuel pipes are shot:
Suspension/brake pipes are A1:
Octopus (really) is in good order (i.e....dry externally):
Little niggles to sort:
Strut return pipe leaking....could just need re-positioning. They're about £3:
Radiator leaking at bottom corner. Will try rad-weld first and see what happens:
Clutch is so knackered, it's bent the actuating arm. It's probably got a massive amoutn of preload on it as the plate has got so thin:
Something was living in the airbox:
So by the end of the day, I'd wimped out and washed it (with a broom!) It's not clean yet, but most of the gunk is off. It's won me over in these last few days enough to warrant some care. It's a weird scenario; I work around some truly exciting sports/kit cars. We have bespoke projects on the go, we play with TVRs, Ultimas, classics (building a Saxo-power Imp at the moment!) and yet even around all this 'petrolhead nirvana' I still love the BX on the same sort of level as a TVR! Not just the 16v version, but this too. It's slow, it's smelly, it's ugly and to most I'm probably mad/weird/both.
But to me, a petrolhead is someone who's into cars. Speed is just one factor of a car. I like fast cars, and I like slow cars....the speed doesn't matter as much as how much fun it is. And today I found driving over speedbumps without feeling them has a novelty value to it! It's also nice to drive an old school diesel too.....no lag! Doesn't make much power, but what it does make it gives you to immediately if you ask it. I am going to have to rolling road it :lol:
So to get the ball rolling, I've booked an MOT Thursday
Thought the snow might help clean it, but no joy:
Dragged it into the workshop to get it onto the ramp and see what's what underneath. The whole plan hinges on the condition underneath - if it's rotten as a pear I can't afford the time to put into it.
Looks a bit out of place in the usual company:
Still sporting the greenery:
Verdict? Good news. Bloody good news in fact!
Pictures are woeful due to phone-cam, but the upshot is that the underside is not only in good condition, it needs no welding from what I can see. It's also in much better condition than my red 16v! Looks like the old boy we bought it off used to underseal it with something decent, which is brilliant news!
Pics don't mean much:
The only bit that needs attention.....treatment and painting is all I need to do:
Fuel pipes are shot:
Suspension/brake pipes are A1:
Octopus (really) is in good order (i.e....dry externally):
Little niggles to sort:
Strut return pipe leaking....could just need re-positioning. They're about £3:
Radiator leaking at bottom corner. Will try rad-weld first and see what happens:
Clutch is so knackered, it's bent the actuating arm. It's probably got a massive amoutn of preload on it as the plate has got so thin:
Something was living in the airbox:
So by the end of the day, I'd wimped out and washed it (with a broom!) It's not clean yet, but most of the gunk is off. It's won me over in these last few days enough to warrant some care. It's a weird scenario; I work around some truly exciting sports/kit cars. We have bespoke projects on the go, we play with TVRs, Ultimas, classics (building a Saxo-power Imp at the moment!) and yet even around all this 'petrolhead nirvana' I still love the BX on the same sort of level as a TVR! Not just the 16v version, but this too. It's slow, it's smelly, it's ugly and to most I'm probably mad/weird/both.
But to me, a petrolhead is someone who's into cars. Speed is just one factor of a car. I like fast cars, and I like slow cars....the speed doesn't matter as much as how much fun it is. And today I found driving over speedbumps without feeling them has a novelty value to it! It's also nice to drive an old school diesel too.....no lag! Doesn't make much power, but what it does make it gives you to immediately if you ask it. I am going to have to rolling road it :lol:
So to get the ball rolling, I've booked an MOT Thursday
Cheers! I guess it does have a certain unexplainable appeal! I think secretly people like ratty old honest cars that don't die but look like they did years ago!
MOT tomorrow at 3pm. I'm expecting a 2-3page fail sheet (genuinely am....I can think of 11 things already that will fail) but the idea is to get a list to work though. As long as it's all quick stuff (bulbs, washer pump, mirror etc) then we'll be good to go
As I mentioned the other day, I've officially wimped out and jet-washed it:
Bodywork certainly looks 'used'
Forgot it got tagged years ago too:
Had a mini-result too....opened the boot and found a full carpet set in much better condition (ie not s
tty, muddy and mouldy) than the originals currently fitted.
I'm nervous already tomorrow. Nervous to the point I might ask if I can stay and help out. I have a feeling he'll need instructions on how to get it into gear
MOT tomorrow at 3pm. I'm expecting a 2-3page fail sheet (genuinely am....I can think of 11 things already that will fail) but the idea is to get a list to work though. As long as it's all quick stuff (bulbs, washer pump, mirror etc) then we'll be good to go
As I mentioned the other day, I've officially wimped out and jet-washed it:
Bodywork certainly looks 'used'
Forgot it got tagged years ago too:
Had a mini-result too....opened the boot and found a full carpet set in much better condition (ie not s
tty, muddy and mouldy) than the originals currently fitted.I'm nervous already tomorrow. Nervous to the point I might ask if I can stay and help out. I have a feeling he'll need instructions on how to get it into gear
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