Build Project MO55 begins,,,,,
Discussion
RichB said:
Looking good. Relieved to see it's a Jag lump and that you've not taken one from a DBS 
RichB hi, not obvious from the pics but it is a straight six from a 1970 DBS. It was taken more than 10 years ago by the previous owner, from a previous owner that had taken it originally from a scrapped DBS. The engine had been rebuilt and then stored as a reserve engine for a DB4 that was being raced by a well know AMOC member. 
RichB said:
There's no doubt that shape is beautiful and the paint on those is mirror finish but what's your intention with the car once it's completed? Road use only, track days? It will inevitably pick up stone chips and battle scars but IMO that's the sort of patina a replica racing car should collect proudly. 
Rich hi, interesting point you raise. Unsure how I feel myself re patina, I thought I might fast forward and see what the original cars look like today and use that to guide my forecast view, here is what the experts think:
They look almost prestine don't they, not a single dot of patina in sight. Friedrichs 900 BH is reflecting 3 ceiling lights which look like blemishes but are not (I know cos I took the pic at Goodwood Rev where it was being raced).
My intended use is as you might imagine, road use with the occasional track day thrown in.
RichB said:
I imagine Wolfgang has his cars repainted every year, given how frequently they seem to get bent 
RichB, not sure on the damage history of DBR1/5 since Wolfgang aquired it in 2001 but what I am sure of, is of the huge gratitude of the many to so few, despite the risks, that continue to appear at Goodwood and other classic sports car race events, where we can continue to endulge our passion. 
|http://thumbsnap.com/5BclIOfI[/url]
RichB said:
Are you going for the darker olive shade of green that Aston Martin used in period or the lighter almond green that has become the accepted colour for Aston Racing green? Personally I'd love to see someone with the nerve to do one in the darker colour, with squared of front arches and spats over the rear wheels 
The colour match between the original DBR1 cars as they are today and the ASM replica cars is close to being exact (see images on the above posts) any difference insignificant and for me absolutely spot on. IMHumbleO the modern lighter almond green is less appealing.The various body mods they made for the 1959 Le Mans DBR1 race cars whilst providing obvious performance improvements, did nothing for the aesthetics,,,notable that they were removed for subsequent races. So yes, it would take some nerve to do as you suggest Rich and have a replica built in that less attractive body shape. Nice pictures by the way.
MO551E chassis blasted ready for the powder coating.
RichB said:
I'll be very interested in the painting process because obviously there are machining marks on the ali'. I wonder if they smooth these out first to a fine finish or use a primer/filler and then flat that off.
Not qualified to comment on that one Rich. My guess is a bit of both. 
What I do know is that the end product is outstanding and I do mean outstanding. Perhaps its the colour effect but the mirror finish looks like its about 5mm deep. Well you already know that as you've mentioned seeing examples at Goodwood and elsewhere. Jon39 said:
Will the car be dismantled again, before the body is painted?
Jon, again not qualified to answer. My guess is the obvious items like seats out, lights out, instrument panel and everything else masked over. The body panels will be not be removed again now save perhaps boot, doors and bonnet,,,quite soon now we'll have the answer.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff