|
|
|
Restoration of the 1955
Peugeot-203
 Many of the cars restored in the RALEX Autoservice garage participate in exhibitions and parades and receive diplomas and awards. The garage staff is rightly proud of their work. On the other hand, this kind of restoration work is only possible with specialists of the highest caliber and the most advanced automotive equipment.
An old acquaintance of Rafi Hershkowich turned to him at the end of 2002. Marko Ashkenazi was a huge lover of antiques and he wanted to restore an automobile belonging to him. This was an automobile common in post-war Europe - a Peugeot 203. The car came off the conveyor in 1955, almost 50 years ago. It was obvious that the work which needed to be done on the car was enormous. The restoration began in January 2003. The car was completely taken apart and the engine, gearshift and rear axle were overhauled. The brakes, radiator, electric parts were also restored or overhauled. But the most labor-consuming work turned out to be the restoration of the body. Underneath the rubber mats which covered the floor of the cabin, everything had corroded. It was difficult to understand how the rusted bottom of the car was still attached. It had to be completely cut out and a new one had to be manufactured, with all the profiles and
supports.
The body of the car was suspended. Underneath - a huge hole. A cantilevered beam was hung, and had to be balanced so that it was placed exactly in relation to the non-existent bottom. How to put it in place correctly, how to determine the necessary height? This is a specialty.
 A professional needs to know exactly what he is doing, so that later the car did not need to be straightened or altered.
The chassis was brought, the height checked. On one side hung one cantilever, on the other side, a second cantilever. And somewhere between them, the bottom had to be fitted. And the whole thing needed to be at the same level. After exact measurements, the tunnel was placed in the center. It was determined, how and where to attach the bottom and the car was balanced. The rest of the work could to be done with
assurance.
To restore the automobile body profile is very delicate
work. The wing of the car had to be manufactured anew, and installed so that the car would be completely symmetrical so that the body would not drag during
driving.  The welding work would be
done, but the car would warp. What to do? Cut the doors?
Near the end of November 2003 the work had almost been completed. The car was
straightened; the nickel parts were checked and adjusted. The supplementary equipment for the body was
readied. The restoration of the car was nearing completion. Soon, the car would be
reincarnated. The work had been done 'from the heart' and RALEX Autoservice gave a warranty for 15
years.
Rafi is not afraid of giving such a long warranty. He knows that every detail has been worked on, attention paid to the smallest details, the car fortified against moisture and against corrosion. He knows that the car will 'live' for many years. Most importantly - the work has been done carefully and honestly.
|
