CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[MattBLancs]

Lots of car work planned over the next few days... The reason will soon be evident
Jim

After lunch there was only one thing to do: take Strawberry out for a joyride And what a joy she is She may only have 954cc under her bonnet but when coupled with a kerbweight approaching that of an empty biscuit tin she does motor along in a most satisfactory way

...
Followed by a bit of work on Strawberry. ...

.... for her rally appearance this Saturday at Redbourne

Not a quick slot in of a nice TU24 then? Disappointed!

[CitroJim]

Not a quick slot in of a nice TU24 then? Disappointed!

Nope, sorry to disappoint you Matt... This one's staying absolutely standard I once knew of an AX with a Saxo VTS engine in it... Plus roll cage and very little in the way of cabin furnishings - just two seats...

Went like a scalded cat and was off the scale fun

The Series 2 AX is the better bet for hotting-up as they can take the Saxo instrument binnacle and electrics... The Series 1, like mine, are a much bigger challenge. The difference between the S1 and S2 AX is huge - far more than just a facelift and clear front indicators...

[MattBLancs]

Not disappointed really Jim, they are getting very much into "classic" : best left as is territory, especially your two in such good standard condition (I'd feel happy modifying one that was pretty much ready for pensioning off as you'd in effect be reviving something that otherwise might have reached the end of the road)

I'll bet that VTS engined AX flew! Can't help wonder if the additional weight of not only the 16v head, but also the iron (1.6), rather than original alloy (1.0-1.4) block beneath it was to the detriment of the end result?

Interesting to hear there was such differences between phase 1 and 2

[CitroJim]

Interesting to hear there was such differences between phase 1 and 2

They even drive differently Matt. Having owned examples of each I find the S2 is a lot more refined, quieter and, I suspect, a stronger bodyshell with better build quality and a non-disintegrating dashboard. Like driving two entirely different cars. It is more a Saxo than an AX - without the bloat and lard.

The S1 is very raw, raucous, noisy, unrefined, cheaply built and much more of a go-kart that positively encourages enthusiastic driving

The S1, I suspect, is more of a Visa although never having driven a Visa, I can't be authoritive. All I know is I prefer the S1

[CitroJim]

After a shockingly bad day health-wise yesterday, a good rest and lots of quality time spent on my new sofa has seen me good today...

Firstly, off to Halfrauds for some automotive cosmetics and as I planned to service Bluebell I asked for an oil filter. No chance, they don't keep many in stock these days, not even one of the most common ones on the planet

Good job I had one on the shelf...

Oil and filter changed. It was due on a time basis rather than mileage and the old oil was still translucent!

Bluebell is very clean underneath

And on top too

Spot what I'd failed to replace before takin g the photo

The only other job needing doing was a small re-tension of her alternator belt.

Filling her up with petrol ready for Saturday, she attracted a lot of attention on the forecourt

Here she is near Halfrauds

This afternoon and tomorrow she'll be cleaned and made all beautiful and shiny read for the show on Saturday...

Then I'll be giving Strawberry a bit of attention...

[CitroJim]

Bluebell is now shining like Bristol Bacon and show-ready

I did her trim using this variety of Turtle Wax Snake Oil... It's amazingly good and I did her tyres too...

I apply it using an old sock on my hand as a kind of mitt...

When we collected Alasdair's Ratantia we were given carte-blanche to take anything we wanted from the tumbledown garage she was lying in...

One thing we salvaged was a Gunson CO meter... I held out little hope for it, knowing how damp the garage had been.

I tested it today... It calibrated as per the instructions...

And it appears to work well This is Bluebell's CO reading and is right at the lower end of her official specification... I know this is right from her last MoT. Also, I can check Strawberry's, knowing her CO from her last M0T, as a double-check...

Not bad for a car with a carburettor and no cat She nicely sticks a middle finger up to all those who preach against running old cars on environmental grounds And she's amazingly frugal on petrol...

[mickthemaverick]

Could you bring that with you on Saturday please Jim, my aerial mount will benefit I think!!

[CitroJim]

Could you bring that with you on Saturday please Jim, my aerial mount will benefit I think!!

How might an aerial mount benefit from a CO test Mick?

Sorry, read that all wrong I'll have all my automotive cosmetics with me in case Bluebell needs a bit of a touch-up to her make-up after her trip down the M1 and I'll be delighted to make your aerial mount look beautiful

I'll just have to remember to bring my old sock!

[mickthemaverick]

I'll have my usual box of goodies too, so I'm sure we can improvise an applicator if necessary.

[CitroJim]

I'll have my usual box of goodies too, so I'm sure we can improvise an applicator if necessary.

Magic Must remember wet-wipes and a towel too... That Snake Oil is a bit slimy...

[CitroJim]

Just to round off the day today, I've started on Strawberry... Her paint is very dull and oxidised and before she goes to the Chevrons in September, I'd like her to look a bit better than she currently does...

On her roof, where she is most oxidised, I did a test area with cutting compound followed by an application of Bilt Hamber Auto-Balm.

This is the result - you can tell the difference by looking at the difference in how my garage fluorescent lights reflect in the paintwork

This is work that takes a lot of elbow-grease and by the time I've done the whole car I'll have arms like Popeye

The result well justifies it as under the layer of oxide the paint is in great condition and will shine up beautifully

I did 'rescue' a 12v buffer from Ratantia's old garage and although it works, it spins at about 2.5 rpm and thus is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard

Doing this work is incredibly satisfying and if I do a bit every day it'll soon be done

[CitroJim]

Not much car work done today bar a bit more on Strawberry's paintwork...

I've been out most of the day socialising, patronising a couple of caffeine providers and enjoying some gorgeous cycling weather

[CitroJim]

I'm happy to report the new owners of Pix are very pleased with her

Yesterday, I received a VED refund - £6.66. It must have cost the DVLA more than that to process it!

[myglaren]

Was it a bank transfer Jim?

They sent me a cheque. Pain in the rear to cash it in during Covid.
And when I did the cashier said I could have shoved it into the ATM.

[MattBLancs]

Yes I get it back as a cheque whenever I've done a SORN.

Took me a long time to get set up with phone based banking, but one plus point to it is by taking photos (through the app) of the cheque you are able to pay it in via the app.

Think is a special ATM that does the cheque input - RBS didn't have them (when I had a local branch, now shut!) but Halifax did, but only the machines inside the branch (one in the wall outside was paying out cash only) - at which point you could speak to a human being instead!?