604 Collection (feat Pete-M)

[Guest]

As many of you know, Pete-M acquired the famous Autoshite 604 recently. Here is my report of the day's events.

The discovery of any 604 is a joyous occasion, especially the very car that appeared on the Autoshite Top Trumps card representing the model. As we learned, Norfolk is a long way from Stockport at 50 mph.

I agreed to meet Pete early Sunday morning at the UOS, to pick up the home-made trailer the lads across from us had put together. Over several cups of rapidly cooling tea the night before, we despaired in its lack of suspension and attenuated length.

 

I arrived late, because my alarm didn't go off. Furthermore, we had no rear numberplate to match the rapist vanity marker on Pete's jeep, and dirty connectors made a working nearside trailer indicator lamp an occasional affair.

 

 

The first task was to concoct some kind of inadequate number plate that could be lashed on to the trailer. The first attempt fell short of the required standard, for being '3 times too big', 'invisible' and 'fucking shite'.

 

 

A second attempt, complete with Taverna Cs, quickly made the grade.

 

 

So far, so Autoshite. The realisation that we were about to embark on a 480 mile round trip towing an unsuspended and electrically suspect trailer had not yet dawned on us. It was shod with tyres that would have disgraced a canal barge and was soon to have a 604 lashed to it that far exceeded the maximum permitted load for the axles.

 

 

Excellent then. Let's go.

 

 

Fortunately, Pete's Grand Cherokee had been converted to LPG. This was the first of many stops via the A roads which were better suited to our much reduced cruising speed. We were a stone's throw from MIRA here.

 

 

A Gloster statue made a nice roundabout ornament.

 

 

We very much enjoyed the in car entertainment that Pete received free with his Jeep purchase.

 

 

Diss welcomed us at the 12 noon time we agreed.

 

 

The 604 was out of storage and out waiting for us.

 

 

 

After exchanging pleasantries with John the garage proprietor, Pete went to fetch our slightly shonky rig.

 

 

 

After throwing a few minor strops, the 604 was ready to be strapped down.

 

 

The paintwork was in surprisingly good order, being a Jaguar shade originally. Here we can see John's 2CV in the background.

 

 

 

Pete appeared happy with his latest purchase, which included Serck plates.

 

 

The dralon cabin featured 5 of the most comfortable seats in recent memory.

 

 

Any longer and the ramps wouldn't have gone back up. The trailer tyres were pumped up to bursting point.

 

 

3 PM rolled around and we were on our way back to the North, Pete threading the Cherokee and accompanying 604 through the narrow Norfolk lanes as dictated by the sat nav.

 

 

 

The straps we had been lent were of a somewhat ancient aspect, so after clearing Diss, we occupied the entirety of a laybay to check them.

 

 

Underway again, I decided to sample the Cherokee's electric sunroof.

 

 

 

Once again, the Jeep needed gas, having posted comical single figure economy figures on the way down. One of the Street Master radials had decided to take its own life at this point, having decided that 1450 kg of 604 at 40 psi was too much. It very nearly tore itself off the wheel rim when Pete was reversing.

 

 

Some TyreWeld and copious swearing got the tyre back up to a reasonable shape.

 

 

 

Coffee was very much a necessary evil.

 

 

There was a fabulous Chopper shop at the rear of the garage.

 

 

We plodded on into the evening at a steady 50 mph.

 

 

Yet more LPG was required outside Cambridge.

 

 

 

I always enjoyed playing snap.

 

 

 

It was now pitch black and we still had a long drive ahead of us.

 

 

 

The tunnels just outside Stoke On Trent proved excellent for taking photographs. Pete plipped the remote central locking for me to give the desired effect.

 

 

 

 

The final stop at Keele allowed Pete to run the engine and for two Burger King meals to be consumed.

 

 

We finally arrived back at the unit at around 10 pm. The 604 threw a bit of a strop once off the trailer because of a distinct lack of fuel. Suitable motion potion was decanted via an old Oasis bottle and Pete enjoyed his first test run up the access road. It disappeared out of sight surprisingly quickly thanks to the injected 2.85L V6 up front.

 

Plans are now afoot to get the 604 ready for an MOT down at the unit. MM5 is to wield the torch, unit space and mates permitting. Watch this space.

[Alexg]

Great adventure, Great Photos, Great Car!

[Mash]

Yet another brilliant AS roadtrip and fab photos as usual Wat

[warren t claim]

Ace story and photos as usual WAT! Can't wait to see the 604 in the metal at a summer meet.

[Angrydicky]

At last! (See my post in the grumpy thread)

[25v6turbo]

Great pics,and what a great plate aswell!!!

[dieselnutjob]

nice

[greengartside]

I recognise that bp garage you stopped at first, it's my local bp at Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds. I have also used that very same tyre inflator too!

 

Excellent story and excellent pics! Keep us posted on the progress in getting her roadworthy

[retrogeezer]

what a great way to spend a Sunday....did no-one think of just whipping the rear plate off the Jeep?? Or was that too easy??

604 looks fanrtastic...I look forward to seeing it in the metal soon.

 

And now for a grump, I've just realised I could probably have hitched a lift/contributed to fuel and gone to get that Escort that SL has seen.....bugger!

[flat4alfa]

Automatique Fantastique !

 

A564 KAC, oui?

Bonne plaque aussi: Le Autokac.

[Guest]

Automatique Fantastique !

 

A564 KAC, oui?

Bonne plaque aussi: Le Autokac.

 

D'accord.

[autofive]

looks tidy

 

and great photo skills too

[Guest]

looks tiday

 

It needs a few patches hither and thither, plus some sill-age. MM5 has been primed.

 

It's nothing a 2 month stay in the UOS with £10's worth of Micro Chips can't solve.

[boobydoo]

A very stylish car....you must be chuffed to bits!! I would be!!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

grate work shiters!!!!!!!!! I love that shot in the Mere Tunnel at stoke. 18.5/10 DEFO NOT A PHAIL!!!

 

What sort of state is the 604 in then? It looks good but mildly crispy round the edges, like the perfect roast potato.

[fotorabia]

excellent documentary..one day when we get to the point of Autoshite TV..these type of French bread delivery's would be a worthy scenario..superb acquisition and top photo shots..good work guys..

[Minimad5]

Amazing Skilllz as always Wat'

 

Shame i missed out on the trip, but it was good to see you both at UOS (Didn't get home till about 1am )

 

Hope progress can start ASAP, be great to help keep a rare car on the road.

[Cavcraft]

Ace! Looks really tidy and once again we're treated to Jon's legendary photography. On the road for Mongchodderly Castle car show this year Pete?

[Minimad5]

On the road for Mongchodderly Castle car show this year Pete?

 

When is that ?

[dieselnutjob]

looks like it hasn't rusted at the bottom corners of the windscreen like mine has

jealous

 

they all rot on the A pillars so if your's hasn't then once it's welded up get plenty of wax all the way up the A pillars.

 

Also the metal behind the front wheels is just a plate. Problem is that road debris/salt/mud gets between that plate and the wing and builds up behind it, rotting the A pillar and the top of the sill. I strongly recommend getting the front wings off and cleaning it out, repainting and waxing it in there.

 

On mine the bottoms of the rear wings had filled up with water. Make sure the drain holes are open.

 

Also 504 and 604 doors always, always rust, and you won't get replacements.

Get the door trims off and fill the doors with wax.

[trigger]

Very enjoyable read, cheers guys, Good luck with the recommissioning Pete, and like Bo1 said, that shot of the 604 in the tunnel is FAB.

[Cavcraft]

On the road for Mongchodderly Castle car show this year Pete?

 

When is that ?

 

Wank holiday weekend in May. I'd like to see a large Autoshite turnout too, especially now the collection of cars on here recently has gone up a million percent!

[seth]

Shite trekkin' across the universe!

[carlo]

Brilliant stuff, AS roadtrip + Peugeot = joy.

 

Delighted to see the Autoshite Top Trumps card on your phone. I must do some more.

[Pete-M]

Ace! Looks really tidy and once again we're treated to Jon's legendary photography. On the road for Mongchodderly Castle car show this year Pete?

 

It ain't as tidy as it looks, there's a fair old bit of bog / rot going on under the nice shiny paint, but it's a bloody good base for making a properly nice old 604. If I can get it sorted for Mongchodderly, then I'll take it there, yeah.

 

Don't think it'll be properly sorted for there, so it may not look as pretty as it does now. I'm already slightly nervous as to how much the paintwork and making it look pretty is gonna cost...

[Spottedlaurel]

Great story! Kind of funny that Diss was your destination, but last week it was the beginning and end of my little shite roadtrip. Didn't realise you were going to be so close, or that it would be a car I'd seen in the past:

 

1984 Peugeot 604 STI V6 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1984 Peugeot 604 STI V6 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Good to know what's happened to it. Best of luck with the project!

[ashmicro]

Epic. GR64 stuff. And waht a smashing car too.

[In The Pit]

Looks a nice car and I too love the shot in the tunnel we'll have to remember that one come December for the Autoshite calendar 2012.

[Shep Shepherd]

Epic car, epic write-up

[ashmicro]

Looks a nice car and I too love the shot in the tunnel we'll have to remember that one come December for the Autoshite calendar 2012.

 

 

+1