320Touring's Citroen GSA. Boom, back in the room (unit) 11/07/2021

[Supernaut]

Even when he's as far away as Bulgaria... he knows.

[Split_Pin]

Bring it over for a machine polish any time

[Noel Tidybeard]

Yep, shouldn't be too bad.

 

I had a look under it when on the ramp - properly solid thing, and no real areas of concern beyond the welding.

 

Shouldn't take much to gitter tiptop.

 

In celebration, I treated her to new wipers in the correct size (16")

 

That sound you can hear is the anguished cry of Dollywobbler as he sees the flat blades:)

 

 

IMG_20180525_155059.jpg

 

bizarrely the windy wipers don't look as gash as they should

[320touring]

Got the opportunity to get the MOT fail items sorted on this at the weekend..

 

Firstly, the right rear outer sill got cleaned, cut and patched.

 

This was a nice easy repair - set car to high, place axle stand appropriately, set car to low.

 

Marvellous.

 

Patch was let In, tidied up a touch and covered in Vactan and underseal.

 

Next up was the outer skin on the front floor.

 

It was a classic case of underseal splitting and letting water in.

 

 

The patent "Oxford" method of corrosion assessment (grinder mounted wire brush followed by screwdriver) revealed 3 holed sections.

 

2 were small 1" X2" patches, but the third was a relatively long, thin strip.

 

Some swearing, cutting and grinding later, we had clean surfaces to weld to, and some panels available.

 

 

Once these were welded in, it was a second case of "Vactan n spray shoot".

 

All done, I'll get it in for the retest on Friday, all being well.

[Split_Pin]

Super work!

[320touring]

Additionally, some little rust spots were rubbed back and Vactan'd to halt the spread.

 

 

 

And I have procured a second headrest - wrong colour but has both parts and should slot into driver's seat for additional comfort.

 

 

Once I get an MOT the work can commence in earnest..

[Junkman]

When can I bring my R16?

[320touring]

When can I bring my R16?

I have an opening on 32nd Jalaugust 2153

[dollywobbler]

WIPER ANGST. Though it is nice to see it wearing blades of the correct size at least.

[320touring]

Alrighty,

 

Back in for a look-see at the patches..

 

The man,he come out affirmative!

 

[Broadsword]

Fantastic, congratulations!

[320touring]

Fantastic, congratulations!

Thanks - nice that it can continue battering aboot:)

[beko1987]

Yey! Bringing it to shitefest?

[320touring]

As promised in my Oxford blog - a blog dedicated solely to GS/A work!

 

We took on the rear sphere change challenge and won:)

 

I thought a wee guide may be helpful.

 

https://fuguttycars.wordpress.com/2018/06/06/a-spherical-challenge/

 

 

 

[320touring]

This continues along fine.

 

Very little happening beyond driving it.

 

Now it has an MOT, I am minded to consider some work/actual maintenance, though the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" springs to mind..

[Split_Pin]

^^I tend to agree with that, to a point.

[Tickman]

^^I tend to agree with that, to a point.

 

Our idea of broken and yours differ slightly. (for me and Neil there is a sliding scale of broken)

[320touring]

Our idea of broken and yours differ slightly. (for me and Neil there is a sliding scale of broken)

Verily.

 

The GSA is fine, Clio 172 #60 is BROKEN.

[320touring]

Where were we with this?

 

Ah yes, the sole remaining working car on the fleet

 

On Monday I drove it to the station before venturing forth to that there Lunnon.

 

Today, I did the following commute.

 

Walk to Holborn tube.

Holborn tube to Bank

Change from Underground to Light rail of the Docklands sort.

Alight at planes of aero parking in the city of London.

Luft to Glasgow.

Procure an omnishambles, eh I mean omnibus to a station on a street of Queens..

Partake of class 156 shudder back to this view.

 

 

 

Look at it! What a honey!

 

Shortly thereafter, I collected the burd and whisked her away to the highlight of the social calendar - Scotoshite.

 

 

After a fine repast, we retired to the carpark for the customary 'GEEZ a Shot mister'.

 

First up was young* Dome. A short explanation of the controls and he was off - seemed to enjoy it and was last heard to mutter "I probably should buy one of those". He wins the " most likely to flog the GSA to" award.

 

Next, the Maister Fowler ventured forth.

Here we had a contender - previous CX pilotage meant he had an advantage re knowledge of brakes and controls. This unlocked the GSAGLF approval.

 

He did. It did. He was most surprised at the rev happy nature of the boxer 4.

He wins the "Most able to identify shift point by ear bleed" award.

 

Last but by no means least was Split-Pin. Rarely have I seen a man look at me with such trepidation. In, and talked through the controls, we set off gently. Quickly he warmed to the brakes and LHD, and you could see him visibly relax as the drive went on.

 

He wins the "Most likely to lend a car to, as he wouldn't fuck it" award.

 

All in all, a most successful "try before you buy" evening.

 

But no evening would be complete without the dulcet tones of 320T GLF, Dome's statement of " Let it warm up a bit then go like fuck" was all the encouragement I needed to let kick the Civic Type R in the VTEC.

 

It wins the " Most likely to change gear with the Radio" award!

 

Seriously, it goes well, and is a world beyond the clio172 for build quality. Pulls all the way to 8.5K:)

[hairnet]

GSA

 

Hullo

[chaseracer]

Dome... wins the " most likely to flog the GSA to" award.

 

Not any more... 

 

GSA

 

Hullo

 

Hooked.  

 

[Split_Pin]

I have never driven *anything* like a GSA before nor have I driven a manual left hand drive car, I love it! Brakes are genius too, once you know the theory of operating them.

[chaseracer]

September 2006...

 

 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

I have never driven *anything* like a GSA before nor have I driven a manual left hand drive car, I love it! Brakes are genius too, once you know the theory of operating them.

Once upon a time, Citroën made cars that required drivers to think about what they were doing.

[320touring]

Today, The GSA was on Godson impressing duties.

 

We went out to it, and he was all questions - why is it LHD? Why only 3 wheel bolts etc etc.

 

Get in it, "these seats are dead comfy". This sentence is repeated 4 times in 10 miles.

 

Onto the m8, and give 'er the fuuu shoe to merge..

 

"That engine sounds different from normal, and I know it's not a v8 or straight 6, so what is it?"

 

Show and tell (including an aside on inboard disc brakes and reason for handbrake on front wheels) at the carpark, and he's happy to head out to get his birthday present.

 

Alarmingly, he turns 16 on Monday, and was heard to mutter to his mother on return "the seats in that car are comfy, I think I'd like something like that"

 

I like to think I've had a positive* influence on him..

[320touring]

Fame* at last!

 

 

Many seemed confused at it being out in "The Rain!"

 

 

So I put them straight..

 

Lastly, there was the usual idiot..

 

 

 

What price fame? Thank gawd I ain't as popular as Monsignor Dollywobbler, I don't think I could cope;)

[BavarianRetro]

I love the arses who tell you wrong stuff about your car and insist that they're right and you're wrong.

 

I was told the E30 would have been better with the "top of the range engine - you know the V6?", rather than the straight six the other day.

[MorrisItalSLX]

I get the same with the Jag:

 

"Is it the V8 or the V12?"

 

"It's the straight six."

 

"Really, I didn't know they did a straight six?"

 

"Well I didn't know they did a V8 M8."

 

 

"No, mate, it's the flat 4 boxer diesel. The most popular engine in the range you know."

[Jams]

Think I may have spotted you this morning. I’m working around Glasgow this week

[320touring]

Think I may have spotted you this morning. I’m working around Glasgow this week

Unlikely, unless it was at about 11.30 near to the m80?