Watch me make a stupid mistake - Peugeot 504 Break L

[dozeydustman]

Bit of a shitter on the brake line blowing but as you say, at least it was in the garage and not on a test drive or owt. All excellent work though chap, looking forward to seeing you drive it.

Were any RHD 504s fitted with a column shift? I know very early 204s and 304s were, and the bulk of LHD 504s were.

[meowmeow]

1 hour ago, dozeydustman said:

Bit of a shitter on the brake line blowing but as you say, at least it was in the garage and not on a test drive or owt. All excellent work though chap, looking forward to seeing you drive it.

Were any RHD 504s fitted with a column shift? I know very early 204s and 304s were, and the bulk of LHD 504s were.

from what i know vast majority sold in the UK were floor change though I have seen a couple of column change ones - the guy i bought my fuel tank from had just sold his 72 estate and that IIRC had column change

Column would be much nicer than the soup ladle of a gearstick i've got on mine - I think after 77/78 they changed to the shorter one?

[High Jetter]

Red graph paper is technical stiff, I was only allowed green 😀

[green200b]

Can you do a column shift conversion? I imagine not many people have done that on any car, let alone a 504 estate...

Your progress looks really good, excellent effort once again 👍

[meowmeow]

19 hours ago, High Jetter said:

Red graph paper is technical stiff, I was only allowed green 😀

Think it's paper from one of those mini ECG machine things, got a massive block of it ages ago and the perforations make it really good for notes etc...

 

15 minutes ago, green200b said:

Can you do a column shift conversion? I imagine not many people have done that on any car, let alone a 504 estate...

Your progress looks really good, excellent effort once again 👍

Sure it's possible, just bloody difficult to get the parts I'd imagine. I'll be fine with my soup ladle...

[meowmeow]

what's this? an empty garage?

can only mean one thing - 

finally back into the world after 2 and a half years, under its own power. 

Not sure the last time it actually ran and drove anywhere, likely the mid 80s?

bit nerve-wracking first test of the brakes being a steep drive, but didn't have much choice...

 

Chucked some water at it (i hate washing cars)

and will go around with some acetone and a rag to wipe off the shitty primer overspray on the rear bumper - not sure how i missed that.

car is somehow just as i wanted it - the paint is terrible, but you can't really tell where its been welded and blended in. So just looks like it's always been like this. I was a bit worried all the repainted bits were gonna stick out like a sore thumb.

 

The heater fan is ok, but only has two dash vents, so added some extra ventilation. And of course the required amount of fluff for the dashboard:

 

Photo proof that it does indeed move and i didn't just push it out of the garage, back from a quick spin round the block:

Report: feels like a cross between driving a truck and a three-piece suite. 

 

I'll probably have to sell (or give away...) the Golf soonish - bit sad as it was my first car but feels like I'm starting to ruin the look of the street with my shite

 

The Peugeot isn't quite finished yet - still need the exhaust sorted, and the carb needs properly setting up. Also could really do with a driver's sun visor but zero luck finding one of those so far.

Relieved that there are no oil/fuel/brake fluid leaks to sort out. The heater matrix weeps a tiny bit - possibly (read "hopefully") just needs the hoses tweaking as was pressure tested and ok.

When i've ironed out the remaining issues I'll get the stereo wired in.

But other than that just waiting for the log book to arrive in the post so i can tax it.... exciting times

 

[junkyarddog]

I'm kinda sad you've finished it!

As I've very much enjoyed your updates on this.😄

[High Jetter]

Brilliant. Put Golf in garage for a month then alternate monthly? I'm sure you still have stuff to do on the Pug, but great to see it drving.

[Matty]

14 minutes ago, junkyarddog said:

I'm kinda sad you've finished it!

As I've very much enjoyed your updates on this.😄

Theyre never finished 🤣 you know this!

@meowmeow i really wouldnt worry about the paint. It looks just fine as is. Better than fine. Like a survivor not a tart up job. Perfect 👌

[meowmeow]

22 minutes ago, junkyarddog said:

I'm kinda sad you've finished it!

As I've very much enjoyed your updates on this.😄

Yeah as @Matty said it'll never be "finished" haha - still some bits to do and I'm sure issues will pop up once i start using it

 

10 minutes ago, Matty said:

 Like a survivor not a tart up job. Perfect 👌

good stuff that was the intention - at some point i might try to remove some of the worst brush-painted bits but just got to be careful not to burn through the original paint underneath if i do...

[Dan302]

Absolutely first class! Also liked for your cat!

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Astounding work. This thread is reminiscent of the Bollox resto threads of old on here -  fixing things on a shoestring, learning as you go and not giving up until the bastard is ready to go. A quick check suggests the 504 was last taxed in 1986, so it's had a 40 year slumber! 

Massive kudos for you for persevering and getting it done. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with the first few proper drives!

[TheIsleofShite]

Although I really shouldn’t, I would be very tempted by the Golf if you do decide to sell

[meowmeow]

53 minutes ago, Dan302 said:

Absolutely first class! Also liked for your cat!

In all honesty I'm not sure he's actually my cat... Just showed up one day and won't leave haha

 

18 minutes ago, TheIsleofShite said:

Although I really shouldn’t, I would be very tempted by the Golf if you do decide to sell

Would i be adding fuel to the fire if i said that should i end up selling it, it'd be for the same price I bought it for all those years ago - £150 (all the spares / assorted rubbish I've got for it included) ?

[TheIsleofShite]

36 minutes ago, meowmeow said:

Would i be adding fuel to the fire if i said that should i end up selling it, it'd be for the same price I bought it for all those years ago - £150 (all the spares / assorted rubbish I've got for it included) ?

It would be going to a good home and have a gentle retirement on the Isle of Wight

[Rustybullethole]

Cracking work. Like you say it looks like it's always been that way and all the better for it.

I drove the pick up version years ago and it was exactly as you describe. Comfy as whilst also being like piloting an old van at the same time. 

Hope it brings you much joy. 

Id also like to register interest in the golf. Always liked the careworn look of it and in fact more so with the mismatched bonnet. 

[cort1977]

18 hours ago, meowmeow said:

I'll probably have to sell (or give away...) the Golf soonish - bit sad as it was my first car but feels like I'm starting to ruin thoroughly enhance the look of the street with my shite

 

I fixed that for you. Looks fine to me, people should mind their business.

Massive congratulations on getting her moving again, you're exactly right, it looks honest like it has always been that way. Love it.

[Dobloseven]

Brilliant work.This thread has been a real trip down Memory Lane,as I had 1979 2 litre Automatic Family Estate from 1988 to about 1996.It was well rusty at 9 years old,and in the time I owned,did a lot of work on it.Sills,front wings,rear arches,rear valance,lower rear wings,etc etc......Had it professionally resprayed after the bodywork was done.Took a few years,as it was done on a rolling rebuild basis as we needed it as family transport.Well done again.

[green200b]

Really good work and well done for finally getting it done and on the road. I love the aged look you've ended up with. Not sure where in London you are, but I drive around a bit for work so hopefully I'll see it around! 🙂

On 07/06/2026 at 16:26, meowmeow said:

I'll probably have to sell (or give away...) the Golf soonish - bit sad as it was my first car but feels like I'm starting to ruin the look of the street with my shite

Literally every single modern vehicle is way more of a disgusting eyesore than that Golf or the Peugeot, if anything you're bringing the street up with your car collection.