Hi, I just bought this last weekend and I thought I would start a "build" thread for it to help keep me motivated and to get a few ideas / feedback for the project.
I was on the lookout for a white non-GTi 205 because I fancied trying to build a continental rallye homage when this popped up on eBay about 5 miles away. She is a 1988 205 954cc Junior with 23K on the clock, the seller described the car as "immaculate", well its not quite, but she's not bad for a 23 year old 205. I went and had a look one evening after work and was smitten, my first car was a 205 junior, and one sit in the denim interior was all it took. Anyway the seller said he wanted to let the auction run (which was refreshing) so a few days later after some sneaky at-work bidding I was the new owner.
I sorted 24 hours insurance and drove her home, first impressions were that it is incredibly slow, the clutch is on its last legs and there is something wrong with the nearside front suspension, but it was still massive fun. The next day I sorted out which key opens which door, and adjusted the clutch cable, The biting point is now 10mm from the top of the pedal travel rather than 5mm and I have the hang of the keys.
Well this weekend I set about the project proper, having fallen in love with the junior-ness of it I have shelved the Rallye idea and am going to keep it fairly simple, starting with a general tidy up, an healthy dose of lowering and some as yet undecided on wheels. First job however was to tidy out the garage.
Its amazing how much junk had spread itself around in there since I sold my Chevette. Anyway after several hours and asking myself the eternal question; "Does a man really need 2 Puch Maxis?" (yes it turns out) there was space for a 205 to live in.
Today I decided to give it a clean and asses the condition a bit better. Overall the condtion in great, and generally she scrubbed up well, there are a few points letting the side down however.
Above is the worst bit of rust, there are a few tiny bubbles starting to show on the roof and a small patch of surface rust under the rear drivers side window rubber.
The interior door handles have rotted which is a shame as the rest of the interior is pretty much mint, including the very fragile cloth seats. (I'm almost scared to sit in them)
It is as my brother said when I got it home "On the wonk!"
The passenger side is higher than the drivers. On closer inspection it appears to have different springs on either side, the drivers side has more, less spaced out coils than the passenger side. Replacement spring off another model I guess is to blame.
Apart from these few faults and the aforementioned clutch issue it is in great condition, it will be nice to have a project that doesn't need any welding (fingers crossed)
A few shots of general cleanness.
attempted thief (explains the many keys) and small dog? (lots of little chips on door top) damage.
The rear plastic boot panel was looking a bit tired, so I decided to remove it, I don't know if I will source a replacement or leave it off and repaint the boot. Any thoughts?
Near future plans include some new black bumpers, body colour front and rear lower valences and some new wheels. maybe these or similar. Thoughts?
Oh and lowering it about a foot. I can almost fit my head between wheel and arch.
Longer term plans at the moment include GTi front sub-frame and wishbones, and maybe a hot 1.4 8v TU and 5 speed conversion, or keeping the 954cc and 4 speed and going 4 branch, throttle bodies and megasquirt for no better reason than it would be cool.
Any thoughts, feedback or ideas welcome and thanks for reading.
I was on the lookout for a white non-GTi 205 because I fancied trying to build a continental rallye homage when this popped up on eBay about 5 miles away. She is a 1988 205 954cc Junior with 23K on the clock, the seller described the car as "immaculate", well its not quite, but she's not bad for a 23 year old 205. I went and had a look one evening after work and was smitten, my first car was a 205 junior, and one sit in the denim interior was all it took. Anyway the seller said he wanted to let the auction run (which was refreshing) so a few days later after some sneaky at-work bidding I was the new owner.
I sorted 24 hours insurance and drove her home, first impressions were that it is incredibly slow, the clutch is on its last legs and there is something wrong with the nearside front suspension, but it was still massive fun. The next day I sorted out which key opens which door, and adjusted the clutch cable, The biting point is now 10mm from the top of the pedal travel rather than 5mm and I have the hang of the keys.
Well this weekend I set about the project proper, having fallen in love with the junior-ness of it I have shelved the Rallye idea and am going to keep it fairly simple, starting with a general tidy up, an healthy dose of lowering and some as yet undecided on wheels. First job however was to tidy out the garage.
Its amazing how much junk had spread itself around in there since I sold my Chevette. Anyway after several hours and asking myself the eternal question; "Does a man really need 2 Puch Maxis?" (yes it turns out) there was space for a 205 to live in.
Today I decided to give it a clean and asses the condition a bit better. Overall the condtion in great, and generally she scrubbed up well, there are a few points letting the side down however.
Above is the worst bit of rust, there are a few tiny bubbles starting to show on the roof and a small patch of surface rust under the rear drivers side window rubber.
The interior door handles have rotted which is a shame as the rest of the interior is pretty much mint, including the very fragile cloth seats. (I'm almost scared to sit in them)
It is as my brother said when I got it home "On the wonk!"
The passenger side is higher than the drivers. On closer inspection it appears to have different springs on either side, the drivers side has more, less spaced out coils than the passenger side. Replacement spring off another model I guess is to blame.
Apart from these few faults and the aforementioned clutch issue it is in great condition, it will be nice to have a project that doesn't need any welding (fingers crossed)
A few shots of general cleanness.
attempted thief (explains the many keys) and small dog? (lots of little chips on door top) damage.
The rear plastic boot panel was looking a bit tired, so I decided to remove it, I don't know if I will source a replacement or leave it off and repaint the boot. Any thoughts?
Near future plans include some new black bumpers, body colour front and rear lower valences and some new wheels. maybe these or similar. Thoughts?
Oh and lowering it about a foot. I can almost fit my head between wheel and arch.
Longer term plans at the moment include GTi front sub-frame and wishbones, and maybe a hot 1.4 8v TU and 5 speed conversion, or keeping the 954cc and 4 speed and going 4 branch, throttle bodies and megasquirt for no better reason than it would be cool.
Any thoughts, feedback or ideas welcome and thanks for reading.
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