Repairing BKJ

[Julianw]

Outstanding generosity as ever, Paul. Thanks!

[jamescarruthers]

Hey Julian (and Paul & Will). It makes me very happy to see the car getting some structural work, love and attention. Hopefully it will be a great everyday XM again. I loved cruising about in it.

Best of luck with it.

[citroenxm]

Its a special one as its so far the only one I have seen thats Red.. but not sun fade orange red, and isn't manderin either its certainly a rare colour...

[Dieselman]

The colour is Delage red.
I haven't seen another Delage red Uk, Xm, as metallic paint colours were standard, so most new owners chose them.

[citroenxm]

Yea i had an idea it was getting on to being the only one...

[Dieselman]

You can tell the very early Xm colours were a continuance of Bx and Cx colours...Olympic blue, Delage red.
Within a year those colours were removed from the Xm list.

[citroenxm]

Yea. The olympic blue is a beautifull colour, and had noticed them in early years only ... however have seen more then a couple. . But only in single figures..

[Julianw]

Viewers of a sensitive disposition may etc etc

IMG-20250513-WA0022.jpeg

This is the view across the underside of the boot floor of BKJ, just forward of the cross member. I've cut out the angled strengthener that holds the boot floor to the offside wheel arch inner, also the mount for the rear subframe that sits beneath, a good chunk from the offside inner wheel arch, the chassis rail from the cross member to the rear edge of the boot floor, and the chassis rail forward of the cross member, as the last three were rotten as a pear.

This activity was prompted by the offer of free tutelage and assistance for a day on fabrication by a friend with a long history of old vehicle bothering, which broke the deadlock between me and rust.

Place bets now as to whether I can make the required parts and stitch them in before the world supply of Argoshield dries up, or diesel vehicles are outlawed...

[Dieselman]

I've never seen one that bad in that area. It might be easiest if you can source the requisite areas from another scrap Xm, to save fabricating all those components. I would have thought you would be beating a path to Alsager, armed with an angle grinder. You have a car needs some metalwork, Degens has a car that he wants to sweep up and put in the bin.

I suspect that car was parked in long grass and possibly had water leaking in, for some time.

Grit your teeth and blast it, keep the momentum going and you will indeed get this done. Ensure you achieve something every day.

Nice axle stands...

[Julianw]

Thanks Dieselman!
I thought Degens' car was smacked up the rear in the same place though?...