Mr Mills at it again???

[Mistrale]

Not sure how this one crept under the radar, but it looks fab-u-lous!!!!!!
(any relation to the WAM version of some years ago? )


link
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Edited by Mistrale on Monday 26th November 23:16

[MG CHRIS]

Intresting allthough i already knew about it sort of anyway.

[Stuart Mills]

well spotted!
This is a self indulgent build. The Aston Martin DBR1 has always been a favourite of mine and as I am not likely to find a spare 20 million pounds any time soon to buy an original (they only made 5) I decided to make my own. Fortunately I am a member of the Aston owners club and have been given access to original cars to ensure mine is a s close as possible to the original. It is weird though as they were hand beaten from alloy and all vary. I will take my car to Stoneleigh to gauge reaction and if there is sufficient interest I will do a small batch. It would be great with a straight six Jag engine and it will be interesting to see if there is demand for turn key cars for 20k and 5k for a kit.
This is after all the most successful Aston of all time. Carroll Shelby was the man behind the Cobra and also the man behind the wheel of a DBR1 in 1959 winning the 24hr Le Mans.

[Dave Brookes]

Here's someone else who makes them:-
http://www.asmotorsport.co.uk/intro.html

[rdodger]

More details please Mr mills!

[Stuart Mills]

I had my eye on those Dave, and Evanta but they are a little heavily priced for my taste. We are quite advanced and will be taking a mould off the pattern b4 Christmas. Just getting the finish spot on first and that is time consuming. It is in high build primer at the mo. I love the timeless shape. Naturally the grp will be brg.
I will post pics at some point.

[Furyblade_Lee]

That is awesome Stuart, if you can keep costs low I think / hope you will sell lots. Look forward to seeing yours.

[Toltec]

Looking forward to seeing this at a show next year Stuart.

[jgmadkit]

Furyblade_Lee said:

That is awesome Stuart, if you can keep costs low I think / hope you will sell lots. Look forward to seeing yours.

Ditto that, would be fab to see this available as a kit at 'Cobra replica' prices.

[Steve_D]

So what running gear will it use...I think I can guess?

Steve

[Stuart Mills]

I think a high end version that compliments the original should have a straight six. The BMW units look totally different though but a Jag in line 6 is very closely related to Aston Martin engines in appearance.
I am designing the chassis around MX5 subframes and suspension, no one has ever said they are anything short of geometrically spot on. This car needs race car dynamics and will need to be light but it is easy to mod the subframe engine mounts for various power plants.
I had an email this morning saying "why bother, you can buy one for 60K"
I think he answered his own question! I can confirm my comprehensive kit price will be under 5k.
We have spent an awful lot of time on the pattern, this is my first replica and to be frank it is far easier to design your own and create a shape that you feel comfortable with. This task had us changing and tweaking to match Ted Cuttings excellent work. I have really enjoyed it as you get to understand the thought process behind every single line and curve.
I have become quite attached to my wood, filler and foam DBR1, how sad is that!
There is a video here of the 1959 Le Mans race. The cars do look different though as the wheel arches were modified later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
Stirling Moss had great success with the DBR1 too.
This will be an interesting diversion in terms of the marketing as we will be able to exhibit at all sorts of shows that are possibly not on the kit car calendar.

[studog]

I have been quite happy building and modifying my specials for the last 12 years.
This could just bring me back to kits.

Good luck Mr Mills I can't wait to see it.

[Mistrale]

It sounds fabulous! I am torn between the originality of the Jag versus the perhaps more usable/reliable BMW engine - I love the straight 6 in my 1 series coupe! As it uses MX5 running gear, you could argue that authenticity is already compromised so what the hell, go with the Bavarian, it is a tricky one! I can't wait to see more.......please!

[Stuart Mills]

I had an email enquiry for a BEC version this morning and over on the MEV forum an Exocet owner is considering a V8 DBR1
http://www.mevowners.proboards.com/index.cgi?actio...
Changing the C.O.G on any vehicle may well have an adverse effect on handling characteristics but is not necessarily an insurmountable issue. It is an issue that is often over looked however.

[Mistrale]

the BMW engine doesn't look too bad in the Tipo 250 either!!!

[Stuart Mills]

was that made in Nottingham by Andy?

[Mistrale]

The address is Southwell, just down the road from me, apart from that I only know what I have seen on tinternet!! Would love to build something like this, but at a cheaper price - like a modern Moss Monaco without the fugliness!!! Maybe that would work with a Mazda PPF?.....

[Stuart Mills]

That's the one, very talented chap, he makes my stainless exhausts. Great car, IVA'd too. He fashioned the alloy body himself. I advised on his bump steer issue. I was not too keen on my wedding tackle hanging around the gearbox and prop though but it handles very well considering the authentic looking tyre choice.

[Dr_Rick]

Stuart, I'll put it simply:

My wife likes your design of DBR1
I like your design of DBR1
We both like the concept and the proposed price of a comprehensive kit

If you make the kit as suggested, we will buy one.

Dr Rick

[Stuart Mills]

Dr_Rick said:

If you make the kit as suggested, we will buy one.

Dr Rick

I will and you can!