So that's where the Ami went!

[drewd]

You may have seen @Stinkwheel recently sold his Ami to a member of this forum and  delivered over the bank holiday but as documented here Bank Holiday Delivery Caper. The  details of who purchased it and where it ended up were somewhat of a mistery.

Well I can now reveal that I didn't buy it!

However @DaveDorson(my brother) and my parents did as a surprise birthday present for me. The surprise element certainly worked! My birthday isn't until July and as someone who doesn't do much to celebrate birthdays I certainly wasn't expecting a car.

Dave had been trying to convince me to buy this as whenever I've seen one for sale I've expressed an interest that they look cool. I do that with a lot of cars as we were bought up around old cars and it's something we've always done. I bought a house in late 2021 and house maintenance and the general cost of living had meant that I didn't have the money spare to buy the Ami. I'd said to Dave that if I did have the spare cash I would have been interested in buying the Ami as it looks like a great starter classic.

I've no experience of anything based on the Citroen A series platform baring a friends mum having a 2CV when I was in school, but I've been looking into then since Stinkweel listed the Ami and they seem straightforward enough to work on.

I was down in Rutland visiting my parents on Tuesday and yesterday as I'd booked this week off work and had volunteered to run some family errands. Whilst I was there Dave popped by so we went over to his unit. He'd called me on Monday and broke the news that they'd clubbed together and bought the Ami for me, but I wasn't sure what to expect and hadn't really had much down time to process it.

Overall I'm really pleased and excited about it. It needs a few bits doing like the brakes and a bit of welding etc, plus a few bits of tidying up and the seats recovering or replacing. Dave's going to take care of most of the mechanics and bodywork side of things, and I'll pop down again in the near future to help out with this where I can. It's as described though and driveable as is, it just makes sense to go over it whilst it's in the unit. I live 150 miles from where the car is currently, so the plan is to go over it all, ensure it's solid and refresh anything mechanical that's looking like it need replacing before attempting to get it back to mine. Meanwhile I need to get a shed and clear out my garage so I can store it safely and protect it from the less than ideal Lancashire weather. Long term it's never going to be a show winner and I love it's character so it'll be subjected to regular maintenance and rust proofing etc. If I find any wings etc in good condition I'll probably look to replace the rusty or dented parts with less rusty ones but I don't have the budget for a full resto and respray so it'll remain as a survivor. The car came with some spares and Dave's been gathering up a few bits on the side so hopefully we can get it sorted and enjoy it for a bit this summer.

Thanks again to @Stinkwheel and @DaveDorson. I'll either update this thread or start one to cover this and my other cars. I've currently got a W203 C270 CDI and a Peugeot 307 1.6 HDi. I've never started a thread for them as I wasn't sure they warranted it.

[Stinkwheel]

I'm so glad you are looking forward to ownership. And i'm really glad i'll also get to see the progress as you make it your own.

The only advice i have is get to learn how they feel/drive, they are different but i had a huge grin on my face as always driving it over there.

If you have any questions, either yourself or Dave, just ask , being around Citroen A series, literally since i was born, has its advantages of knowledge 

[drewd]

17 minutes ago, Stinkwheel said:

I'm so glad you are looking forward to ownership. And i'm really glad i'll also get to see the progress as you make it your own.

The only advice i have is get to learn how they feel/drive, they are different but i had a huge grin on my face as always driving it over there.

If you have any questions, either yourself or Dave, just ask , being around Citroen A series, literally since i was born, has its advantages of knowledge 

Thanks, i'll try and give updates as and when they happen.

I've spent far too long watching YouTube videos of Amis and 2CVs recently, the gear shifter seemed quite natural when I sat in the car but I've not driven it as yet. From what I've seen they seem happiest with the revs quite high and the engine not labouring, much like me spinning an easy gear uphill on a bike. I think it'll take me a while to get used to the comedy lean angles round bends, but there's plenty of twisty lanes around Rutland to get a feel for it before undertaking any long journeys.

Much appreciated, if I get stuck with anything on it I'll let you know.

[Stinkwheel]

20 minutes ago, drewd said:

. From what I've seen they seem happiest with the revs quite high and the engine not labouring, much like me spinning an easy gear uphill on a bike. I think it'll take me a while to get used to the comedy lean angles round bends, but there's plenty of twisty lanes around Rutland to get a feel for it before undertaking any long journeys.

 

Absolutely they like Rev's, you almost can't over rev them, the inlet design is quite clever.

When you look at speedo you will see little orange square marks, thats the advisable rev to point before changing gear, 1st mark to 2nd, 2nd mark to 3rd etc.

One bit of very important advice, when reversing, always fully depress clutch before braking to slow/stop. This minimises the possibility of unwinding a lock ring on the main gearshaft and being stuck between gears.

(something all 2CV'ers used to know, less so now it seems)  -It may have been apart and peened in the past, but i dont know, so thats best practice.

[DaveDorson]

I've messaged a bloke called Pete Sparrow about some wings and he's going to have a look for me.

 

I've been buying a load of spare parts for it, hence the lack of updates of my own stuff, and now hopefully folks can see why I've been consolidating a bit... The golf takes up less room than the Mondeo and the range rover isn't going anywhere any time soon.

[loserone]

1 minute ago, DaveDorson said:

Pete Sparrow

Getting a sooped up engine whilst you're there?

 

 

 

[chaseracer]

1 minute ago, loserone said:

Getting a sooped up engine whilst you're there?

 

 

 

I can recommend this... 😎

 

[DaveDorson]

3 minutes ago, loserone said:

Getting a sooped up engine whilst you're there?

 

 

 

Well...

 

If anyone has a body, I may have a sidewinder Super Ami rolling chassis going "spare" along with a VIN and plates for an 82 2cv..

[Stinkwheel]

18 minutes ago, DaveDorson said:

I've messaged a bloke called Pete Sparrow about some wings and he's going to have a look for me.

 

I've been buying a load of spare parts for it, hence the lack of updates of my own stuff, and now hopefully folks can see why I've been consolidating a bit... The golf takes up less room than the Mondeo and the range rover isn't going anywhere any time soon.

That guy i said had some wings, yeah that was him (if you wish to remind him Mats Smith paid him for a pair of Ami 8 wings that he was going to help get to Melton Mowbray, i know Pete, this isnt as weird as it sounds) 😆

[DaveDorson]

6 minutes ago, Stinkwheel said:

That guy i said had some wings, yeah that was him (if you wish to remind him Mats Smith paid him for a pair of Ami 8 wings that he was going to help get to Melton Mowbray, i know Pete, this isnt as weird as it sounds) 😆

Does he owe you a pair then?  I mean I'm not far from Melton.. I could use that card 🤣

[Stinkwheel]

5 minutes ago, DaveDorson said:

Does he owe you a pair then?  I mean I'm not far from Melton.. I could use that card 🤣

yes he does, ive just dropped him a message to say let Dave have that pair i bought off you 

[DaveDorson]

Anyone in Hereford want to grab some Ami wings for me 🤣🤣.  He's got some plastic rears for me too.

[brownnova]

Very pleased this has gone to a good home. Just couldn’t sell the MG in time or I would have loved to have it!

In a way you’re already proving you’re a better home though, you’re getting straight on with things! 

[catsinthewelder]

3 hours ago, DaveDorson said:

Anyone in Hereford want to grab some Ami wings for me 🤣🤣.  He's got some plastic rears for me too.

Do they need fetching straight away?  I'm about 30 miles away but don't have much indoor storage space.

[DaveDorson]

12 minutes ago, catsinthewelder said:

Do they need fetching straight away?  I'm about 30 miles away but don't have much indoor storage space.

I've got a friend in Worcester who can probably grab them at the weekend, if not I'll drive over and get them, it's a bit of a trek but they don't exactly grow on trees, but if for any reason I can get them on Saturday or Sunday it'd be nice to have a backup to buy me a few days.

[DaveDorson]

2 hours ago, brownnova said:

Very pleased this has gone to a good home. Just couldn’t sell the MG in time or I would have loved to have it!

In a way you’re already proving you’re a better home though, you’re getting straight on with things! 

You didn't hear the words other Dave used when I'd got back from dropping @Stinkwheelback.

 

It's dry and safe where it is, but yeah I was getting stuck in before I'd taken delivery buying parts and things, want to get it done so @drewdcan enjoy it a bit.

[Rustybullethole]

Nice. Glad this has a good home. So very tempted myself though procrastinating whilst it sits outside in the rain ain't such a great look. 

[catsinthewelder]

27 minutes ago, DaveDorson said:

I've got a friend in Worcester who can probably grab them at the weekend, if not I'll drive over and get them, it's a bit of a trek but they don't exactly grow on trees, but if for any reason I can get them on Saturday or Sunday it'd be nice to have a backup to buy me a few days.

See if your mate can get them as at least that's heading in the right direction, if not I'll swing by and see if someone can Shiteley from the FoD.

[Six-cylinder]

Good to see another Ami being woken up.

Mine will be out and about as soon as the weather improves.

 

[DaveDorson]

38 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

Good to see another Ami being woken up.

Mine will be out and about as soon as the weather improves.

 

I might mither you a bit for some measurements once we get to work on pulling the front of the body a bit straighter on this one, if that's OK.  I'll send you pictures of the points we would like to measure.

[Six-cylinder]

9 hours ago, DaveDorson said:

I might mither you a bit for some measurements once we get to work on pulling the front of the body a bit straighter on this one, if that's OK.  I'll send you pictures of the points we would like to measure.

Taking measurements is no problem at all. Just give me a bit of notice as I don't keep it at home.

I have only had my Ami just over a year but I had a 2CV for 7 years before that to practice my gear change!

 

[DaveDorson]

So went and saw a bloke called Pete today and got some wings, but because the phone camera is absolutely nailed you'll have to wait for progress shots as they happen.

The rears are GRP and need some love, the front on one side could use a repair but crucially it's not bent about and creased, so I'll sort that out and get the front end on and about straight and work out the rears a bit.

 

[DaveDorson]

 

The car sneezed and if face fell off.

 

So I had a bit of time to kill this evening and I need to get the brakes done on the car and go over the calipers I also have some  not fucked panels to make the front end of of, so it made sense to take the front end off.

 

 

Inner wings are not anything like as bad as they could be, but they do need some attention. 

 

These will also unbolt, so it's easy enough to take them off to repair them.

[Stinkwheel]

I’m actually having ptsd flashbacks about those inner wings
compared to 2CV’s and Dyanes, well ami’s are just more ‘fiddly’ (but cool, so a fair balance)

[DaveDorson]

It's a shame Dyane stuff isn't the same as I know where there are a mint pair of inner wings.

[drewd]

Dave's been cracking on with this during the evenings this week and today.

He's taken the inner wings off to check the general state of things.

These are @DaveDorsons photos as he's doing the work. I've not seen the car for over a week so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

 

 

The brake discs and pads will be replaced and I'm going to order a couple of rebuild kits for the calipers.

 

Dave's given the inner wings a bit of a clean up

The main body seems decent but the inner wings could benefit from some love. Wire brushing has made some holes appear, and they're a bit frilly round the flanges...

They're probably salvageable with some time and a skilled welder but as the metal is very thin and the panels are a bit twisted it'll be a bit of an awkward job to get them right.

Other than that I don't think he's found anything of concern, so not too bad for a car of it's age.

Also on the list is an oil leak which Dave suspects is the crankshaft oil seal. So I'll order one of those and a clutch kit.

I don't suppose anyone knows of and Ami 8 inner wings in good condition for sale do they? I'd be surprised if you do but there's no harm in asking. If not we'll rebuild the ones we have but it makes sense to replace these if we can while it's all apart.

[DaveDorson]

As Drew said the inner wings are mega crispy and very thin at the ends.  I can fabricate and repair these but if a good pair appears that haven't been bent it'd make my life easier, they came out easy enough though. 

I'll probably get the rear wings and the doors off at next week depending how much time I can find so I can get them dug apart and any new metal in if needed.  

Rear cross member aside the main body is really good as @Stinkwheelsaid in his advert, so if I can avoid taking it off fully to sort it out then I will, I'm hoping I can make enough space to repair and reconstruct the bit at the back once the tank is dropped and out.

 

Of course while I'm doing that I'll replace the fuel lines, the fuel filter and the brake line clips as they are missing down the side of the chassis and stuff is sort of flapping about which makes me uneasy.

 

 

 

 

[chaseracer]

17 minutes ago, DaveDorson said:

As Drew said the inner wings are mega crispy and very thin at the ends.  I can fabricate and repair these but if a good pair appears that haven't been bent it'd make my life easier...

I've messaged my mate Simon in 2CVGB - he deals in secondhand panels & parts.

[chaseracer]

16 hours ago, chaseracer said:

I've messaged my mate Simon in 2CVGB - he deals in secondhand panels & parts.

He has some, but they may be no better than the ones you have.  Pics to follow.

[Stinkwheel]

On 5/20/2023 at 4:10 PM, DaveDorson said:

the fuel filter and the brake line clips as they are missing down the side of the chassis and stuff is sort of flapping about which makes me uneasy.

 

 

 

 

Ahhhh, dont worry about that, worry about the other things 🤣