Oldest XM in the UK - Now with registration!!

[russ92xmsed]

Wow! Is your body shop chap a magician?! That's amazing, gives me hope for my passenger front sill. When can I drop it round??!!!!

[MTXM]

He is quite a clever chap Russ, although the work does not come cheap! I went for the low cost option with the original welding and later painting, but you do get what you pay for. Anything can be done for a price I guess and hopefully it is worth paying for in this case, given the car is a bit unique! It should also be sorted for the foreseeable future (next 27 years) in the sill department at least. With regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

Here is the earlier work for comparison - all quite sound, but a little less precise! Please note in particular the shape of the new wing section. The recent work has involved further replacement of the lower wings, based on good spares in my collection, and also the outer front sills using original material from a scrap car, courtesy of Edwards & Son, Billericay. Of course in the preparation for repainting other perforated metal was found and repairs neccessarily carried out. The repaired sills are also being pumped full of waxoil. Regards, Matthew T.

[Dieselman]

The latest bodyshop have done a cracking job there, I'm envious, though I'm sure I wouldn't be envious of the bill.

[MTXM]

Many thanks Will and let's just say that three day's work was allowed and it now looks like nearer four!! Regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

That's quite a comparison, good and excellent. Know which I prefer even if it cost many arms and legs!

[jonathan_dyane]

You're something of a perfectionist! It's lovely to see such attention being lavished on XM's now.

[MTXM]

Many thanks Jonathan and fortunately the Bodyshop is prepared to indulge me, albeit at a price! This car is rather unique as you will have gathered and hopefully I have given her a new lease of life. I think the appreciation of the XM is definitely growing, although there are relatively few early cars being preserved. It is ironic that the XM ultimately will be a far rarer model than the Traction, CX or DS, as witnessed by attendance at the ICCCR 2014, when numbers were around 60 - 2,000! Regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

Here are some pictures of the finished work, with which I am generally very pleased. Unfortunately there is some over-spray to clean off and a couple of adjacent patches previously touched up were not included, all of which I hope to have addressed later this week. Inevitably other defects including a number of small dents in wings and doors are all the more apparent now, but at least the sills are well sorted! Regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

They look brilliant Matthew.