Praise where its due (Xant Spheres)

Unread post by **martyhopkirk** » 13 Oct 2004, 23:38

Being a mechanical numpty i took my Xantia to Doug Westroen today.
Impressed, you bet i was[:D] All 6 spheres done and LHM change and still had money left out of £200 - i know if i had done it i could have done it a few quid cheaper probably, but hey, he (and son) did a belting job, in very little time, for a fraction of Citroen UK's Price and i got a 3 year guarantee. Faultless.
Oh and the car feels loads better too, apparently the front spheres were down to 20psi and the rears even less than that. Even spashed out on a Haynes BOL for the GSA when i went into one of the (many) charity shops in Chorlton - why? I dunno cos i dont think i will be buying one anytime soon, I just came over all perculiar.
The only bad thing today... probably getting caught on the SPECS cameras going home doing 90...[}:)] (dont try this @ home kids)

nick · Unread post by **nick** » 13 Oct 2004, 23:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by martyhopkirk

Even spashed out on a Haynes BOL for the GSA when i went into one of the (many) charity shops in Chorlton - why? I dunno cos i dont think i will be buying one anytime soon, I just came over all perculiar.
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Strange that, I recently bought a GSA manual from a charity shop, although I unfortunately haven't been anywhere near a GSA for nearly 20 years. It must be a virus going round.....

uhn113x · Unread post by **uhn113x** » 14 Oct 2004, 13:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by nick

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by martyhopkirk

Even spashed out on a Haynes BOL for the GSA when i went into one of the (many) charity shops in Chorlton - why? I dunno cos i dont think i will be buying one anytime soon, I just came over all perculiar.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Strange that, I recently bought a GSA manual from a charity shop, although I unfortunately haven't been anywhere near a GSA for nearly 20 years. It must be a virus going round.....
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Nick and Marty
Like it or not, that is the first stage - when you have read the manual you will have to have one.
Only car-less manual I have is a 652 Visa one - they are getting a bit rare now, but time will tell......
I always get manual before car [;)]

wrinklet1 · Unread post by **wrinklet1** » 14 Oct 2004, 13:40

Just a little quickie (who are mrs)
I bought the very last Haynes manual for the GS/GSA that Haynes had in their vaults. They will not be re-publishing either.
Got a discount too.
Regards
Paul

Unread post by **martyhopkirk** » 14 Oct 2004, 17:43

I remember a teacher i had at jumior school having two GSA Cits, first one was beige (urgh) and the second one was blue. I liked them then, mind you I also had a bit of a thing about the teacher too! (but am well over that one now).
Wife thinks im potty as i sat there last night reading manual for a car i dont own looking at how to overhaul the rear suspension!

wrinklet1 · Unread post by **wrinklet1** » 14 Oct 2004, 17:50

Marty, I gather the teacher was female?????

Unread post by **martyhopkirk** » 14 Oct 2004, 18:00

OOOOH yes. Mrs Frame.

wrinklet1 · Unread post by **wrinklet1** » 14 Oct 2004, 18:01

Thats okay then.....[8D]

Unread post by **martyhopkirk** » 14 Oct 2004, 19:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Nick and Marty
Like it or not, that is the first stage - when you have read the manual you will have to have one.
Only car-less manual I have is a 652 Visa one - they are getting a bit rare now, but time will tell......
I always get manual before car [;)]
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WDVW
Could i be tempted at £30?

Stinkwheel · Unread post by **Stinkwheel** » 14 Oct 2004, 22:44

Cheap GSA? Question is do you feel lucky, punk?
I've got a GS and 2 GSA's (well it was 2 till last night)
Do you like throwing money out of the window? Good with a welder? Want a 300 quid labour bill to change an exhaust section that costs 9 quid?
Are you a keen DIY motorist? Then buy a cheap GSA.
You want a car that looks good, works well and wont be a money pit? Then buy a better one thorught the CCC or similar.
I know

Unread post by **martyhopkirk** » 14 Oct 2004, 22:54

Do i want a money pit[?]
Nah! 
This is what im going to have a sly bid on on eBay (and just hope its not a lemmon)[;)]

oilyspanner · Unread post by **oilyspanner** » 14 Oct 2004, 23:07

Many years ago when I was a Citroen virgin I took my BX to Mr West, he is indeed a pleasant man to deal with and an enthusiast too. but look what he started!
Stewart

uhn113x · Unread post by **uhn113x** » 15 Oct 2004, 12:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by martyhopkirk

Do i want a money pit[?]
Nah! 
This is what im going to have a sly bid on on eBay (and just hope its not a lemmon)[;)]
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Looks reasonable, Marty. It is a Pallas SE. Sill (or cill as he calls it) replacement is not too bad, but floor may need work. Front wings just bolt on, but inner wheel arch is a welding job. Most repair sections available from Rob Moss at Chevronics.
There are still plenty of better ones for sale, and not too dear.

nick · Unread post by **nick** » 15 Oct 2004, 23:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by uhn113x
Nick and Marty
Like it or not, that is the first stage - when you have read the manual you will have to have one.
Only car-less manual I have is a 652 Visa one - they are getting a bit rare now, but time will tell......
I always get manual before car [;)]
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A GSA I could probably cope with, what worries me is that somewhere I also have BMC 1100/1300 manual.......
I worked out its just over 20 years since I last was a passenger in a GSA. My grandparents owned 2, a white GSA Club bought new on 1st August 1980, it was one of the earlier GSA's and still had the older GS-style dashboard. I remember my grandad used to let me (aged about 7 then) steer it round the yard on his farm while he operated the gears and pedals - I could only just see over the dash, he must have been mad!
This GSA was then part-exed for another, a metallic green GSA Special with the later 'PRN' type dash, on 1st August 1982. Reg number FVL 747Y, if its still out there - probably long gone [:(]
He only kept this about 18 months and then part-exed that for one of the first BX's in late 1983.
I always remember the lovely 'new-plasticky' smell the interiors had, I now know that it contained an addictive chemical, which if children are exposed to it at a very young age, will give them a sudden unexpected compulsion to purchase an identical car some 25 years later [:D]

Unread post by **martyhopkirk** » 15 Oct 2004, 23:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">A GSA I could probably cope with, what worries me is that somewhere I also have BMC 1100/1300 manual.......
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Got a confession Nick, so have I, and whats worse i have a big box of spares for one in the loft including clutch plates and so on, new CV joints! - Havent owned one in 10 years!