Peugeot 404 restoration

[Huw]

Possibly better in the "off topic" discussion, but here we go...

 

Have a family Peugeot 404 (think it is a '69) - which I have grown up with but is now slowly rotting.  It was one of dad's first cars and I am thinking of restoring it (or at least stabilizing it) (so hopefully he doesn't log on and see this post).but I have no idea where to start with someone to do the panel work.  Wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

 

Mechanically pretty sound (although it could really use a 504 heart transplant....).  Front has suffered from a light rear end collision (ie I rear ended someone while in Uni at low speed) which would need to be fixed.

 

Just toying with the idea at the moment.  With work and space (and a new project on the way for me) - most of the work would have to be outsourced.

Plan would probably be to:

- Strip (largely myself)

- Sand blast

- Body work

- Mechanical components (largely do myself / with mates)

- Interior (professional)

- rechrome etc

 

Any suggestions?

Still trying to figure out a budget and generate enthusiasm (and donations) from my siblings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Zedman240®]

RB26? nahhh.... is that the model with the rear fin type lights?

[Scoota G]

I know a guy who restores vehicles. Is he busy and will he dare to work on a Peugot.?

 

[Patch]

I have got a 306 cab and have found french stuff is nearly worthless, I would really have a good think about it and research it, I belong to this forum and a guy is trying to sell his 68 404 car with spares and even the 1984 505 updated motor you can have the lot for $1200.00 was last driving 2009. was restored 15 years ago

http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102367

[Huw]

Not thinking about resale - has been a great car to almost all of my siblings and I, and to dad and it is a shame to watch it rot (plus they are actually a lot of fun to drive, completely different to the zed).  My worry is it will cost as much as my zed did!!

 

Yes it is the model with the fin type lights - ours is slightly later and has more chrome around headlights etc (earlier ones had body coloured surrounds).

 

 

[gav240z]

That's a pretty cool little car, stick a rotary in it - J/K . No seriously I'm surprised they are worth so little. That could be a cool little car to take out on special occasions I would think.

[silverz]

I always liked the 404, they are tough cars and in my mind are under appreciated.  My understanding is there were plenty of them that gave/still give long service in Asia/Africa etc.  With the family connection I don't think it matters what it is worth to others, only what it is worth to your family. I am sure your father would be delighted if you were to freshen it up a bit. If cars/parts are as cheap as Patch says it might not even cost that much.

 

Regards

Peter

 

 

[Patch]

Don't get me wrong I never said parts are cheap, far from it actually to buy new Peugeot parts in Australia is basic theft of people and has given the brand a bad name so nobody wants to buy them, so you can buy whole cars for next to nothing, but try buying parts off a wrecker.

If you read that link it is on a forum for Peugeot owners and he started off at $1500 for 2 cars with parts, he is now down to $1200, and not far from dumping the spare care car as it needs to move, yet nobody wants them. This will lead to them being scrapped so may be worth something in time to the right person as the car numbers disappear. If you wanted to restore one you would save thousands by buying this car as it sounds a good buy, he even has new spare parts.

 

Just to give you an idea of theft of parts, mine is a 1998 306 cabriolet new they were $56k can pick up good ones now on the road with rego for 3-5k a mate bought one 3 years ago for 15k they have come down that much, and I have seen no runners go for as little as $200.00 on e-bay

Price for a clutch kit trade price in Australia was $760.00 bought it from England for $220.00 landed

Timing belt kit from Peugeot $660 trade bought from England $120.00

rubber windscreen parts cheaper to buy another car not cheap even in England.

I bought mine off e-bay for the lady not knowing it needed a clutch, I have put in the new parts and she doesn't like driving it finds the clutch too heavy, yet now I would be struggling to get my money back on it now as they keep dropping in price, I like driving it with the dog so will keep it for now and get some use out of it.

[gav240z]

Well I'm on the Euro side of the world and those cars are cheap here perhaps I can help source bits? Although I imagine they have all but rotted here. The other problem is size of parts impacts shipping so small parts would be OK but anything big would be expensive.

[Patch]

The biggest problem Gav is freight, The clutch I bought from e-bay USA from a parts guy who would send world wide, as I could not get any one to send to Australia from e-bay UK if that makes sense, it cost me 80 pound to buy the clutch and 80 pound to send it with exchange rates came to $220. au

 

I can't understand how they charge so much here for the same oem parts.

[Huw]

Mechanically, I think it is alright - could use a new interior but otherwise we have baskets of parts from running/repairing my aunties old 404 (and from stripping it when it died) - so parts not an issue.  It is just getting the body sorted right and getting it moving again.