Ants 1970 Citroen azu 250 van ex 4x4.

Phew Thank goodness Ive got that lot posted
Right...finally we can move on to the most unique feature of this particular Azu where its bodywork differs substantially from a factory citroen version....The rear crossmember
Here is a pic of the van with no names rear end





As compared to my other Azu (currently at my mums house in Uk Buckinghamsire awaiting a kind forum member to transport it to Balaton in Hungary in exchange for free holiday accommodation and/or beer tokens) hint hint





Spot the differance?

Yes the rear crossmember and rear panels on the van with no name were cut away by the previous owner (fat man) so the van would not “ground out” when exiting deep muddy ditches or going up 1 in 3 slopes whilst in 4x4 mode.
This radically altered (and in my opinion improved the look) but means that if I wanted to retain that look I would have to fabricate the whole rear crossmember

So basically this was the state of my van


(Genuine contents of crossmember AFTER pressure washing!)
Stay tuned as the next instalment will include me giving up on the project!

After all I have never ever used a welder...I'm in a foreign country...what little money I have needs to be spent on my new house...I have bi polar disorder..my kids need shoes etc etc etc.
But you know what.......I really really want to see this van live again!!
Can it happen ....will it happen.....stay tuned because I promise to keep this thread going to the (not so bitter  end

Keep going, enjoying this a lot.

No, you do NOT want to hear what -> I <- think!

No, only joking , I´m following with interest!

One thing that might be worth trying, is getting to know some of the Trabant owners in the area. As Trabi’s do go rusty and there’s quite a lot of owners that are good at rebuilding them.

Right theres something you should know about me and from reading lots and lots of your threads I suspect it’s something most of us retro riders have in common...when people tell me
“Its not worth it...you need to weigh it in”
That makes me very cross being cross gives me strength

£500 for a quote?

Really?

So I bought this




And this



Imagine .....I had to ask my wife to watch/read loads of reviews then translate Hungarian welding geeks reviewing this welder as well as many others that weren’t suitable!

Anyway I decided on this model because of favourable Hungarian reviews,5year warranty..and importantly its ability to weld at 10 amps!

Thin metal shouldn’t be a problem then
2cvs bodys are built of a combination of 0.8 and 0.6 mm steel or thereabouts
Thin metal hence the corrugated bodywork...adds strength!
I then bought a regulator.....and a 4.5 square metre sheet of 0.8 mm mild steel..roll of mig wire...and a cheap hammer and dolly set and finally a cheap and cheerful angle grinder and assorted cutting grinding and flapwheel discs.
Total cost £550

Less than getting a quote and then having to transport my freshly (sandblasted) van back home when i realise i cant afford the Quote!

So all I need to do is teach myself to weld
Stay tuned

This just gets better and better.

I know what you mean about locals trying it on with prices. A Greek friend told me that I shouldn't ask the price but leave it to her so we got the local instead of the tourist price!

Hi folks and thankyou for the comments and encouragement
jjeffries good idea! That’s something I will be trying at a later date...I'm really into the idea of saving every square millimetre of the original metalwork as I was once told by a very old and very skilled vintage car restorer that a car is only original once in its life....A cheque book restoration with all new panels would ruin this van so I'm realy trying to save as much of the original panels as possible.
Thankyou sincerely for commenting on my tenacity...You made me happy by saying that!
Its humbling to have such comments.

Morris63 Yes indeed thats what We do..trouble is my wife is of the opinion that anything car related is another language so she always has to refer back to me which alerts the Hungarian to the fact that she is being used as an “ill informed go between” by a (presumably) filthy rich decadent Englishman
Hungarians are a canny bunch and well used to spotting and indeed foiling such ruses
Ultimately it’s their loss though as the net result is usually me telling them in passable but accented Hungarian to go and boil their head before walking away...sulking..and then doing it myself
Its not all bad though theres some very decent types here who will go the extra mile to help you!

braaap I did look into that option ie sending it to Poland but I think those days are over...so many people from Western Europe got their cars restored in Poland that their was a restoration boom over there...this resulted in prices going up big time..as well as a lot of shoddy workshops springing up overnight to cash in on the boom!
Greed took over and unfairly tainted the reputation of many talented restorers!
I think its a shame that having someone restore your car has become the preserve of people with deep pockets
But hey ho..tis the way of the world.

Keep at it. It’s at least 80% practice, then you have learnt what is, in my opinion, a valuable life skill.

My self-taught MIG “skills” paid our mortgage for 9 months in the early 90s recession.

Likewise, Tin bashing. Don’t be afraid to make you own tools out of scrap - it’s part of the process and very rewarding.

Nick

I really enjoyed reading that, I will definitely be staying with this one

Keep up the excellent work and determination.