shite cars Retroshite

[Zelandeth]

Another reason to avoid one during winter - despite the fact that they have a heater you can use to melt tungsten - is the reason mine is currently parked up for the winter.  That the rust proofing is nigh on non-existent.  Driving one around when there's salt on the roads will result in it very rapidly dissolving.  Seriously, these things make an MGB look well rustproofed.

 

Condition is far more important than mileage as low milers come up for sale regularly (mine was bought with 12K on, previous one was on 26K).  The thing these cars tolerate least is sitting around unused for long periods - especially in the brakes and carb department.

 

Pretty sure that one's been for sale elsewhere in the not too distant past as I'm sure I recognise the plate.

 

If you do go for it, in addition for checking for rust everywhere (and that those new wings have been properly fitted - they're held on by three million spot welds), check the steering.  Anything more than 2" of free play at the straight ahead position that can't be easily adjusted out without making the steering box bind is bad news.  The boxes leak for a hobby and will wear prematurely, and RHD steering boxes are unobtainable.  Someone did approach Lada a while back tinder if they'd be willing to provide some new units - they were quite willing to - on the condition of a minimum order of 10,000 units.

 

Rattly timing chains are a common issue when the tensioner falls apart.  It's easy to sort and the parts are pennies.  If it's not sorted it will eventually chew a hole in the side of the cylinder head.

 

Gearbox oil level is critical to ensure that the 5th gear cluster doesn't get starved of oil (it's right at the top of the box).  GL4 spec oil is essential, GL5 or GL4 "compatible" oils are a big no.  The general advice I was given years back was to stay in 4th until around 50mph to ensure proper lubrication of 5th.

 

All the doom and gloom above out the way though, they're fun cars.  People really enjoy seeing them out and about, and over the last year mine has proven itself to be eminently practical and capable.  Both for local runs and for longer motorway treks - including a run up to Center Parcs at Sherwood Forest with a Sinclair C5 strapped to the roof.

 

Rust is the thing that kills them though, hence mine coming off the road the moment the salt appeared.

[Guest Hooli]

Keep the Vauxhall.

[sierraman]

All the paint fell off the one my brother had. Just blistered and lifted off. In effect they had to virtually overhaul them at the factory in Bridlington.

[DodgyBastard]

Another reason to avoid one during winter - despite the fact that they have a heater you can use to melt tungsten - is the reason mine is currently parked up for the winter. That the rust proofing is nigh on non-existent. Driving one around when there's salt on the roads will result in it very rapidly dissolving. Seriously, these things make an MGB look well rustproofed.

 

Condition is far more important than mileage as low milers come up for sale regularly (mine was bought with 12K on, previous one was on 26K). The thing these cars tolerate least is sitting around unused for long periods - especially in the brakes and carb department.

 

Pretty sure that one's been for sale elsewhere in the not too distant past as I'm sure I recognise the plate.

 

If you do go for it, in addition for checking for rust everywhere (and that those new wings have been properly fitted - they're held on by three million spot welds), check the steering. Anything more than 2" of free play at the straight ahead position that can't be easily adjusted out without making the steering box bind is bad news. The boxes leak for a hobby and will wear prematurely, and RHD steering boxes are unobtainable. Someone did approach Lada a while back tinder if they'd be willing to provide some new units - they were quite willing to - on the condition of a minimum order of 10,000 units.

 

Rattly timing chains are a common issue when the tensioner falls apart. It's easy to sort and the parts are pennies. If it's not sorted it will eventually chew a hole in the side of the cylinder head.

 

Gearbox oil level is critical to ensure that the 5th gear cluster doesn't get starved of oil (it's right at the top of the box). GL4 spec oil is essential, GL5 or GL4 "compatible" oils are a big no. The general advice I was given years back was to stay in 4th until around 50mph to ensure proper lubrication of 5th.

 

All the doom and gloom above out the way though, they're fun cars. People really enjoy seeing them out and about, and over the last year mine has proven itself to be eminently practical and capable. Both for local runs and for longer motorway treks - including a run up to Center Parcs at Sherwood Forest with a Sinclair C5 strapped to the roof.

 

Rust is the thing that kills them though, hence mine coming off the road the moment the salt appeared.

It looks a lot better than the last Riva saloon I had.

 

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[DodgyBastard]

I owned this for 5 months this year so pretty much know what to expect from them.

I would have preferred a saloon so sold the estate in August.

The saloon comes with a weber carb which still needs fitted, I'm sure I'll be able to figure it all out if I go for it.

 

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[DodgyBastard]

Today I've been welding a chassis leg on the 360.

 

I'd been aiming to get it in for an mot this week but it's now started leaking from the water pump so I'll need to fix that now too. I've had a couple of swap offers for the 360 including a crusty Peugeot 604 and a nice looking bx turbo-D, I can leave the 360 as is for the 604 or put some work in and get the 360 tested for the bx.

 

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[DodgyBastard]

I know which one I'm tempted by...

 

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[Skizzer]

What a choice! Only thing putting me off the 604 would be memories of the amount of swearing PeteM had to do to make his solid.

 

And then he struggled to give it away afterwards, which generated almost as much swearing.

[DodgyBastard]

What a choice! Only thing putting me off the 604 would be memories of the amount of swearing PeteM had to do to make his solid.

 

And then he struggled to give it away afterwards, which generated almost as much swearing.

Its petes old 604 I've been offered...

 

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[Skizzer]

Oh, right! Well, at least you know it's had a lot of welding done not that many years ago. Looks a bit less shiny than when Pete waved it fondly* goodbye.

 

How crusty is it now?

[HMC]

Yes my number plate OCD kicked in when I saw the 604- remember it well during the Pete-m rebuild.

[cort16]

I’ve a feeling it was on eBay recently and needed welding again . Awesome car though you just never see them (other then in here).

[DodgyBastard]

Oh, right! Well, at least you know it's had a lot of welding done not that many years ago. Looks a bit less shiny than when Pete waved it fondly* goodbye.

 

How crusty is it now?

 

 

 

 

 

[DodgyBastard]

This doesn't inspire confidence.

 

[Skizzer]

Jeez. Pete would be spinning in his grave if he was dead, the work he put into that.

 

BX it is, then.

[Royale80]

Gotta be the 604!

 

Slap the parts on and away to go.

 

WCPGW with a Douvrin V6 in bits.

 

Steve

[Mr_Bo11ox]

How the fuck has Pete's 604 ended up like that. What a bast.

[barrett]

As cool as a 604 is that does look a bit of a dog's dinner, and WTAF are those masks about? Vendor obviously a bit of a wrong 'un.

 

The BX, on the other hand, looks flippin' great in that one picture. A black TZD has gotta be close to the best BX out there, I can't remember the last time I saw one.

 

Sorry for being predictable, but...

[nisfan]

I absolutely love the look of the 604 and would love one to look at but trying to get it roadworthy looks a right PITA, If you had nothing else to fettle with then maybe but it would probably take a lot of time and energy away from other stuff, BX for me.

[Angrydicky]

Well I suppose Pete sorted out the structural stuff, while the cosmetic bits have deteriorated over the last few years of being parked outside.

[Royale80]

With regards the Douvrin, Smarty a bloke from the pub in the early 90's where I worked always had 264 Volvos. Latest one he had one day refused to start. Little Kenny Guiness  was an ace mechanic-he had a job at the time with Wacker. He said he'd get it to go. They towed it to Kens behind Kenny Birt the Coalmans ancient Land Rover. Ken the mechanic had it for ages-but could never get it to start. Smarty then towed it home and a hired van "accidently" wrote it off.

 

Steve

[DodgyBastard]

Oh dear...

 

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[Dick Cheeseburger]

Shame to see the 604 looking so down-at-heel. It looked so clean when it was last flaunted on here. Proof, if ever, that shit owners can ruin a car’s chances of survival in a short space of time.

 

 

https://blacktopmagazine.wordpress.com/tag/peugeot-604/

[sierraman]

The rot at the base of the screen looks a real swine to repair. Looks like a bit of a project!

[DodgyBastard]

Had enough of this shitter now.

 

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[DeeJay]

Clearing space?

[Bren]

The rot in the roof of the 604 would send me runnibg for the hills.

[DodgyBastard]

DSC_0881 by srblythe, on Flickr

 

It actually looks better in person than it did in the photos.

[HMC]

I'd love a Riva, they seem totally extinct in Devon/Cornwall. Nearest I've come was a ratty beige one Sam Glover advertised on here a good few years ago.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Bad news about the 360. Two bits of welding and freeing off the rear brakes doesn't sound all that bad though?