Totally agree - it is tough when they have your kit and won't let it go until payment. Other than physical intervention (hitting the little bastard) there is nothing I could do.

Although, I did pay cash and he did not give me a receipt so I could go to the Tax Office and report him for taking money on the black

But then I am not that evil........

It's a kick in the balls but ultimately shoddy works will lead to a poor reputation. Tell every local classic car owner you know what a poor job he did and let his business get what's coming to it.

Would it be worth asking the guys that are painting your AZU?

So I managed to get the pistons out of the sleeves today. I tried hammering them out but absolutely no movement.

So I just got the grinder out and cut them apart. I needed the con rods for the new piston set as new con rods are €75 a piece...



A little bit of micro bead blasting and they came up like new. Put them in a bag and sprayed loads of WD40 in to protect them while I wait for the engine.




I also managed to get the left hand side wheel hub removed so I can send the front drums and brake shoes to be ground and relined while I am away in the Alps. Trying to get all these parts sent off so they will be done for my return.

I have calmed down about the wheels now - I will end up filling them and smoothing them out and then painting them the same colour as the car when I get that far. In the mean time they are protected from rust and will let me roll the car round when I put the suspension back on the car

Fingers crossed that this guy will do a good job - I think he will as he runs the 2CV club in the area and has a BIG following including the Couchonou Tour de France promotional 2CVs.

If the van comes back good, I will ask him to give me a quote on the wheels and the bodywork too.

Plan is to get this things mechanically sound, running gear, engine, brakes etc and have some fun in him and then think about the body work. I will respray the engine bay so I don't have to remove any of that later on.

Would that be Alain Leblond, by any chance?

No it is Carrosserie Derrips which is owned by Philipe Derrips, they are in Pau.

This is my favourite thread in a long time - well done!!! and keep going!! for all our sakes

cheers

Keep it on
Good job so far

Cheers.

Going to be a bit of a lull for a while as I am away on work for the next month.

But while I am away the engine is with the engine shop in Toulouse having the surfaces flattened, piston sleeves installed, valve seats changed to unleaded.

Brake drums and shoes are being skimmed and lined.

Radiator is being refurbished

Wheel bearings ordered and found a good supplier of all other parts in Belgium where I can buy VAT free.

So I should be able to chip away at the work over my work season and get fully into it in October when I am free.

Still have my little AZU to look forward to though, should be done by the end of this month.