Build Project MO55 begins,,,,,
Discussion
Jeff hi, she has turned out very well indeed hasn't she. It was a bit of a gamble with the WW2 aircraft gauges and switches but Andrew has done a superb job in blending them in a way that resembles very closely the original dash layout. What also helped is that the gauges and switches are of around the same period (give or take a year or two), as the original cars. In fact, they did use aircraft switches for lighting exactly the same as those we've fitted in MO55IE.
Edited by Y100 on Wednesday 5th July 15:53
Edited by Y100 on Wednesday 5th July 15:54
Francis, Ian, thank you. It'll be my pleasure to take as passenger any of those members here posting compliments on the build, a good time perhaps when I organise the Snetterton ASM DBR Le Mans track day.
It'll be interesting to see what final sale price of DBR1/1 achieves won't it. $20m is being estimated. By way of a comparison we have all heard the figure of £20m for DBR1/2 sold privately in 2012,,,,its epic 6 wins racing history including the crowning glory of Le Mans 1959 undoubtedly influencing the price.
It'll be interesting to see what final sale price of DBR1/1 achieves won't it. $20m is being estimated. By way of a comparison we have all heard the figure of £20m for DBR1/2 sold privately in 2012,,,,its epic 6 wins racing history including the crowning glory of Le Mans 1959 undoubtedly influencing the price.
RichB said:
Are you sure about that brass plate Bob? 
Apart from a very small number of people, most will read it naturally assume "It does what it says on the tin." You don't think it's on the tipping point of turning a homage to a fake?
Once again, thought provoking Rich,,,I do hate the thought of fake. Apart from a very small number of people, most will read it naturally assume "It does what it says on the tin." You don't think it's on the tipping point of turning a homage to a fake? My idea is that MO55IE wearing #7 recognises the Moss drive of DBR1/2 to victory at the 1958 Goodwood RAC TT. The plate confirms that the same car DBR1/2 (wearing #5) wins LE Mans 1959,,,,thats my reasoning anyway.
callevascm said:
As someone who spent seven years building a Replica of the Lagonda 1936 Team Car I understand how focussed you can be. I agree with Rich, it is a fine line and it is your car but perhaps if the Brass plate says "in homage" or "a replica" of DBR1 that won Le Mans in 1959. With the Lagonda I had the chance to buy the registration number EPB 104, the original being EPB 102, a wise friend suggested I was taking my determination to create a facsimile of the original a step too far, I took his advice. Your car, your dream; just enjoy that sense of satisfaction of having completed something entirely unique and special. Well done, I really admire what you have achieved.
"but perhaps if the Brass plate says "in homage" or "a replica" of DBR1 that won Le Mans in 1959",,,,I absolutely agree and that is exactly what the plate represents, a homage. avinalarf said:
A magnificent achievement by all involved Bob.
The dedication of you and the guys that built your car is remarkable and I congratulate you all.
I would like,if possible,to come to that track day to see you and the car,when is it ?
Steve hi, and thank you. The road test has thrown up a flat spot around 2000 rpm, we've got the Emerald (ECU) guy lined up to help sort the gremiln next Monday, so she's not made the trip home just yet. You'll be more than welcome to the Snetterton Track day Steve, the date isn't yet decided, I'll post details once its been agreed. The dedication of you and the guys that built your car is remarkable and I congratulate you all.
I would like,if possible,to come to that track day to see you and the car,when is it ?
Road tested today, power to weight ratio suggested there'll be some fun to be had,,,,, oh yes, much more and it would have been lethal,,,!!
All there is left on the 'to do' list now is Calibrating the speedo, mixture still slightly rich so more ecu tweaking, an aluminium escutcheon needs to be fabricated for the gear shift gaiter and finally, a Clubman Fire Extinguisher system fitted.
All there is left on the 'to do' list now is Calibrating the speedo, mixture still slightly rich so more ecu tweaking, an aluminium escutcheon needs to be fabricated for the gear shift gaiter and finally, a Clubman Fire Extinguisher system fitted.
Edited by Y100 on Tuesday 18th July 22:36
RichB said:
Very nice indeed Bob, something to be proud of!
Rich thank you. Right now I'm in awe of the way Andrew, Terry and Mark have made it all work, not only the mechanics of it all but the aesthetics too. The outward likeness to the #7 car Sir Stirling drove to victory in 1958 Goodwood RAC TT race is there, brilliantly. Only when one looks closer inside the cockpit, will the instrument differences be obvious,,,,but not just different, they're the same instruments as were fitted to a Supermarine Spitfire,,,my jaw drops open at thought of it even now,,,,crazy isn't it.LordBretSinclair said:
Amazing Bob - can't wait to see it in the flesh.
Excuse these very naive questions - what are the little vents on the rear wing of the original for? and any particular reason why these were not included on Mossie ??
(Photo from my own collection - taken at Goodwood)
As Rich explains, the rear wings with brake vent ducts were interchangeable and used when considered benificial. From the outset with MO55IE I asked for her external appearance to as closely as possible replicate the #7 car when at Goodwood 1958. There the car did not have brake duct wings (nor at 1959 Le Mans), so that was the decider, plus I love the body lines just a tad more without the ducts. Excuse these very naive questions - what are the little vents on the rear wing of the original for? and any particular reason why these were not included on Mossie ??
(Photo from my own collection - taken at Goodwood)
Edited by LordBretSinclair on Wednesday 19th July 10:50
humblesabot said:
/whistles
though the missing chunk in the updates leaves a question or two. Such as: how did you end up sorting the boot latches?
If you look back at page 5, my post Thursday 31st December 2015, I provided a summary of how we managed to recreate the boot latches. Thanks for your interest.though the missing chunk in the updates leaves a question or two. Such as: how did you end up sorting the boot latches?
DB4DM said:
Interesting to see the picture of DBR1/1 in the Sept 17 issue of Classic Cars, without the bonnet. The text says it has a "totally accurate reproduction engine built by top specialist RSW". Carburettors clearly to the right, when on a Ted Cutting race engine they are on the left. "Totally accurate" copy, I don't think so
Nice shot of the transaxle though
I'm no expert DB4DM but I'm pretty sure DBR1/1 first raced with an engine that (standing at the front looking back at the car) had the carbs on the right, exhaust to the left. Nice shot of the transaxle though
Later on both engine types were used with carbs on the left exhaust on the right.Edited by Y100 on Thursday 27th July 12:50
V8LM said:
Thanks for the great picture. This is not the original engine, the original had the carbs and exhaust t'other way around,,,others will know the details.
It was that photograph, here being driven by Tony Brooks and another I have with Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel (shared drivers) that influenced the MO55IE build.
They won that race (1958 RAC TT at Goodwood) and the following year, this same car DBR1/2 wearing number 5 famously won Le Mans.
They won that race (1958 RAC TT at Goodwood) and the following year, this same car DBR1/2 wearing number 5 famously won Le Mans.
Peter, unlikely to be at Rockingham in April (although I would love to be). I've got the engine booked in (Feb - May) for a re-build and twin plug head mod. Might sound a little OTT but I bought the DBS engine 'cold', still wrapped up from a refresh build back in 2007 and not run since. So for peace of mind, David Jacks will be taking it apart, opening her up to 4.2 and rebuilding it with a twin plug DB4GT head.
LBS, what look like intakes on Stirlings' car are where they fitted spots for night races, in this case they are not fitted, just a mesh grill in place. On MO55IE I've fitted spots behind a mesh grill, so a bit of both.
Jeff, I was hoping for a pic similar to the Stirling shot, there was only one photo shoot drive around Woodcote, just amazing how it worked out on the day.
LBS, what look like intakes on Stirlings' car are where they fitted spots for night races, in this case they are not fitted, just a mesh grill in place. On MO55IE I've fitted spots behind a mesh grill, so a bit of both.
Jeff, I was hoping for a pic similar to the Stirling shot, there was only one photo shoot drive around Woodcote, just amazing how it worked out on the day.
RichB said:
Presumably there's a bit of Photoshopping going on looking at the kerbs on the apex of the corner.
Rich hi, Yep, spot on. The camera car ahead of me was dictating my line, obviously I'd have preferred for him not to be there but hey ho. The photoshopping you see is a first draft attempt (not yet correct), by Ian Cook (Popbangcolour) to put together an artwork which will be displayed on my car room wall,,,, 
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