5 GT Turbo Another Red Renault 5 GT Turbo On It's Way Back To The Road

[DaveL485]

I didn't get a picture but the pistons are in excellent condition, especially considering how rusty the calipers are.

Autodoc are doing refurb calipers for like £27 at the moment, I had some for my R9 Turbo (same units). At that price its not worth my time stripping, cleaning, painting, and fitting new seal kits.

 

[Leigh5t]

Wow, that’s super cheap @DaveL485 . Good find.

I’ve already got the kits to refurb mine though, otherwise I would have considered these. Thanks for sharing.



If it goes belly up when I’m rebuilding mine, I’ll know where to go!

 

[Leigh5t]

I'm chipping away at this and I feel like I've made a fair bit of progress since the last update.
My welding is getting better! At this rate, by my calculations, I'll be proficient by August 2047

Rear section of the inner sill made and offered up. I've left excess material on the jacking point tab and the back edge to be tickled up once I'm ready to put the outer sill on.








Tacked in place until I make the rear beam mount plate.

 

[Leigh5t]

I then got distracted and welded this crossmember tab in



Yeeeehaaaahhh!!

 

[Leigh5t]

I then got on with making the rear beam mount plate








All was going great....until I realised I folded the flange the wrong way! OBVIOUSLY I was just making one in advance for the other side!

 

[Leigh5t]

Cursed a few times then cracked on and made another.



Test fit in place


Clamped up to mark the beam mount holes through.



Drilled the beam mount holes through, checked the fit, then transferred all the spot/plug weld holes across. I also put the joggle in the flange. I assume this is to drain any water that gets in to the cavity? It was a pain to form with the limited equipment I have but worked out ok. Coated the back side with weld-through.



Turned out ok but I think I went too large with my plug weld holes. I'll go smaller next time.

 

[Leigh5t]

Clamped up and the bolt holes lined up without drama. I coated inside the cavity with hydrate and for some reason thout it was a good idea to continue down the inner sill...it was not. Hydrate does not like going over weld-through. Oh well, another school day.


Pigeon-poop-esque but it's on.

 

[Leigh5t]

I cleaned up the jacking point and it's re-usable so I gave it a coat of hydrate. I decided not to fit it until the outer sill is ready to go on. That way i can be sure everything lines up.



I welded the piece on that I was debating recently.




That area now looks infinitely better than it did. I was worried about that area when I fist exposed it but, as you guys have said already, when you break it down it aint so bad.

 

[Leigh5t]

I then moved on to patch the section of the footwell I cut out when removing the front jacking point.







And that's all folks!

Thanks for taking time to have a look.

 

[andybond]

You have come a long long way mate!

 

[Turbell]

Killing it mate.
Made up for you, tip my hat, doff my cap, salute you.
Be a very good car in no time.

 

[Leigh5t]

You have come a long long way mate!

Cheers mate. There’s a long, long way to go but I’m happy with progress so far.

Killing it mate.
Made up for you, tip my hat, doff my cap, salute you.
Be a very good car in no time.

Appreciate the tips and doffs, mate. Much appreciated.

 

[Adey]

awesome work fair play. Fabrication of repair panels and welding them in is something I really haven't given any time too and really cba with, good on you for going at it

 

[Leigh5t]

Thanks @Adey
It is a bit faffy and time consuming, especially for a relative beginner like me. If I’m honest, I’d sooner be working on the mechanical parts, so I know exactly where you’re coming from. I’ve been working with metal for 20+ years but welding, especially bodywork, seems more like an art form. Although, I’m enjoying it…. so far.

 

[Duncan Grier]

Cracking progress and looking solid

You have advanced from beginner status now

 

[Leigh5t]

Cracking progress and looking solid

You have advanced from beginner status now

Cheers @Duncan Grier
When’s the graduation ceremony?

 

[Duncan Grier]

Cheers @Duncan Grier
When’s the graduation ceremony?

Straight after you have finished and it drives again

 

[Duncan Grier]

Or if you prefer 'upgrade' to even more challenging French car restoration

 

[Leigh5t]

Straight after you have finished and it drives again

That’ll be a while then!

Or if you prefer 'upgrade' to even more challenging French car restoration

Well a few times I have looked at my meg, then back at the 5, and wondered just how well they’d go together.

 

[Leigh5t]

I've just been digging through my photos and realised I didn't post any of the interior before I stripped it. In fact, I haven't posted many from before at all. So here are a few.

Before the first wash












After a quick wash









The paint job isn't the best. The photos flatter it a little bit, if I'm honest. I had it painted not too long after first ownership and over the years it gradually started showing signs of poor prep, blisters down both sides, cracks below the swage lines where paint had gathered and flaking on the front bumper. All that said, it's still pretty presentable. I'm hoping most of it will be salvageable though, maybe a bit of paint here and there, because I don't intend on having a full hit. We'll see how much damage I do as I'm weeding out the rot.





Interior






Obligatory 6x9s






The interior is in really good condition. Just the parcel shelf that bothers me. I'm not paying daft money for an un-cut one though so they're staying for now.


Parked back up ready to be strip searched!


Thanks for looking