1988 205 gti - Genuine Dimma

I finally got brave enough a drilled the holes for the sunroof I then tried the strengthening beams and happy to say they line up with the holes so next up is to fit all new rivnuts to the strengthening beams and cut the hole bigger in the roof panel then fit the sunroof.

Next up was to get really brave and cut the hole for the sunroof bigger before I started the cut I fitted some MDF under the roof skin to reduce the vibration when cutting.









Then cutting started





There where a couple of holes in the roof skin from the old sunroof these where welded up and had some filler skimmed over.







I then cleaned up the support beams and removed all the old rivnuts new rivnuts will be fitted later today if my dad brings the tool with him then they can be fitted to the car.





Well that's the hole cut and edges cleaned up had a trial fit of the sunroof I believe its a success.

Probably a better job than Peugeot would have done; that's some high class engineering there from both you and your dad. Well done.

I like your work doing a cracking job ...

This is one of my favourite projects on here. Dimmas have been bodged up by less and less caring owners for years, it really is fantastic to see somebody restoring one. Great work.

Another small update


I have been carring on with cleaning up the underside allmost finished the rear of the car and am getting near to turning car over the other way so I can get to the parts I cannot reach, So far no more major rust found and what has been found has been cleaned up just got to treat still have a couple of patches on the boot floor to weld and one under rear seat but nothing to major once this is done I can focus on the new floor and get the underside in primer and sealed up then can apply the stonechip then just leaves the rear arches to do then fingers crossed that will be all the welding finished, Stripping underseal I wouldnt wish on anyone its a killer of a job.

Been a while since I updated so copied my progress from another forum

I have been carrying out repairs to the boot floor and making good progress have one more patch to do on the floor but need to turn car over on stand first.



















Progress on this has almost ground to a halt due to being busy at work then been taken ill and signed off work so not be able to do much to the car as I would have liked so I have used the time to do some smaller jobs like sorting parts for powdercoating and plating and vapour blasting so have boxes everywhere now. I have also use the time to get the tyres removed from the split rims so these can be sent to dimma for refurb and yet this showed up a major problem with one of the front wheels as its had a new outer rim in its time and looks to have had the wrong one fitted.





front wheels





Bottom front wheel is one with wrong outer rim fitted you can see the difference





I have also used the time for some retail therapy and ordered some new coilovers,wishbones,wheel bearings,track rod ends,tie rods,anti roll bar links,steering gators,anti roll bar bushes,suspension top bearings,rear bump stops I also got a refurbed rear beam, First load of parts turned up yesterday was like a early Christmas.











I'm going in for a operation at the end of month then I'm hoping to be able to get the shell finished so it can be sent away for kit to be fitted
and paint

I have managed to clean up one wheel arch and get in primer as you can see the outer arch and bumper support bracket still need replacing but this will be getting done by bodyshop when they refit kit next up is to rotate car other way so I can do other rear arch then will remove sills and then floor and fit new floor and sills then it will not be far off going to bodyshop hopefully in the new year.












I have made a start on getting ready for the removal of the floor and I have removed the lower part of the sills but kept top part on to keep strength I have also braced the car across the doors and chassis ready for when floor removed, Inner sills looking ok so far and I have removed one strengthening plate from drivers side going to drill spot welds on bulk head and fuel tank area then hoping to turn car over end of week then can remove strengthening plate and lower sill from passenger side then floor wont be far away from being cut out once I recover from my operation on Monday.























Still have the dents to remove from the chassis legs but will do once floor removed also dropped parts off at the powdercoaters today

I have finally got car turned over the other way and have had a constructive day removing underseal(worse job in the world) managed to get a front arch and the rear arch cleaned and in etch primer this rear arch had suffered more with rot as you can see not much left of the bumper bracket but I have a new on to fit.


Jobs tomorrow if all go well are to remove rest of underseal from the underside then remove front strengthening plate and part of sill ready for floor removal and if I get time may weld last patch onto bootfloor.













Got a call today from the powdercoaters to tell me my parts were ready so popped in car and went and picked it all up really happy with how it all turned out also got them to blast some bits before they go off to platers next week when I got home there was a parcel with my gaz coilovers in so a good day in all. I have also dropped the steering rack that I stripped and the anti roll bar brackets at the vapour blaster today should have them back next week then can start putting subframe back together and steering rack.

now in two minds with shell as i have found a brand new unregistered shell for good money

Had a few more pics sent to me of new shell now just waiting for guy to get back to me so I can put my deposit down and sort out picking it up.