Classic Aston Martin V8's
Discussion
September 2019
Ignition switch: The ignition switch is normally held in position to the steering lock by a plastic sleeve. This sleeve does not appear to be listed as a separate part in the AM parts book and numerous online searches gave no options for purchasing one. So we have fitted a cap screw and lock nut to secure the switch in place.
Under dash covers: The OS was still complete but required the ignition hole reworking for a better fit. We had to give the panel a tighter curve at the bottom to avoid the handbrake top touching or getting stuck.
NS under dash cover: An original panel was not in the collection of spares the correct car style – so I made a new panel. It looks like the original had been modified for the previous LH drive and giving clearance for the steering and lock.
Now the under dash covers have been fitted and adjusted to the right shape, they will be left bare and covered when the car goes to the trimmer.
Ignition switch: The ignition switch is normally held in position to the steering lock by a plastic sleeve. This sleeve does not appear to be listed as a separate part in the AM parts book and numerous online searches gave no options for purchasing one. So we have fitted a cap screw and lock nut to secure the switch in place.
Under dash covers: The OS was still complete but required the ignition hole reworking for a better fit. We had to give the panel a tighter curve at the bottom to avoid the handbrake top touching or getting stuck.
NS under dash cover: An original panel was not in the collection of spares the correct car style – so I made a new panel. It looks like the original had been modified for the previous LH drive and giving clearance for the steering and lock.
Now the under dash covers have been fitted and adjusted to the right shape, they will be left bare and covered when the car goes to the trimmer.
October 2019
Air vent supports: These are horrible to fit and being light deformed plastic they would collapse when fitting the vent hose. So 2 we made oval shaped inserts in aluminium. They have now been fitted inside to support.
Brake and clutch master cover is now in place.
Glove box tab: Opening the glove box was quite tricky so we made a simple tab from stainless steel which works fine.
The rear view mirror and mounting block has been fitted.
Air vent supports: These are horrible to fit and being light deformed plastic they would collapse when fitting the vent hose. So 2 we made oval shaped inserts in aluminium. They have now been fitted inside to support.
Brake and clutch master cover is now in place.
Glove box tab: Opening the glove box was quite tricky so we made a simple tab from stainless steel which works fine.
The rear view mirror and mounting block has been fitted.
Interior Centre Console Switch Panel
The time had come where I had to make a decision on the colour of the leather around the switch panel at the bottom of the centre console.
No matter what the interior colour is, the centre console is always black. The issue is that the switch panel sits at the bottom and the sides of the gearbox trim piece extends above the switches at the side upto the bottom of the centre console.
You can see this clearly in this photo from my DBS V8. In that car the interior colour is black so there was no decision to be made however on this V8, the gearbox trim piece will be the same light tan colour as the seats.
So the choice is to finish the switch panel in black leather to match the centre console above (but clash with the gearbox trim piece) or finish it in the same colour as the gearbox trim piece. I have seen both options taken. Here is what the second option looks like on a car with a red interior.
After much deliberation, I decided to finish the switch panel to match the gearbox trim panel. Here is the switch panel finished in the leather for the interior.
Here it is against the olive paint.
We have since replaced the metal fascia panel with a new one that somebody has remanufactured. So no more faded letters.
The time had come where I had to make a decision on the colour of the leather around the switch panel at the bottom of the centre console.
No matter what the interior colour is, the centre console is always black. The issue is that the switch panel sits at the bottom and the sides of the gearbox trim piece extends above the switches at the side upto the bottom of the centre console.
You can see this clearly in this photo from my DBS V8. In that car the interior colour is black so there was no decision to be made however on this V8, the gearbox trim piece will be the same light tan colour as the seats.
So the choice is to finish the switch panel in black leather to match the centre console above (but clash with the gearbox trim piece) or finish it in the same colour as the gearbox trim piece. I have seen both options taken. Here is what the second option looks like on a car with a red interior.
After much deliberation, I decided to finish the switch panel to match the gearbox trim panel. Here is the switch panel finished in the leather for the interior.
Here it is against the olive paint.
We have since replaced the metal fascia panel with a new one that somebody has remanufactured. So no more faded letters.
December 2019
After 4 years, the first photograph of the car outside. Driven under it's own power!
Oil pressure gauge: after early engine startings I was concerned at the moderate oil pressure readings. As you can see a figure of 30psi is demonstrated which is on the low side. Checking the gauge with another showed it to be faulty. I removed the unit, dismantled, checked and lubricated and it now shows a more accurate reading.
On running the engine for the first time, the tacho was clearly reading miles out. With the dash top removed for the oil gauge attention, we removed the rev counter and checked for anything obviously wrong - nothing. Using a digital meter we attempted to adjust the rev counter (there is an adjusting screw inside accessible from the back) but it does not read correctly to each speed check with the digital meter. So we have sent this off to Speedy Cables for rebuilding.
After 4 years, the first photograph of the car outside. Driven under it's own power!
Oil pressure gauge: after early engine startings I was concerned at the moderate oil pressure readings. As you can see a figure of 30psi is demonstrated which is on the low side. Checking the gauge with another showed it to be faulty. I removed the unit, dismantled, checked and lubricated and it now shows a more accurate reading.
On running the engine for the first time, the tacho was clearly reading miles out. With the dash top removed for the oil gauge attention, we removed the rev counter and checked for anything obviously wrong - nothing. Using a digital meter we attempted to adjust the rev counter (there is an adjusting screw inside accessible from the back) but it does not read correctly to each speed check with the digital meter. So we have sent this off to Speedy Cables for rebuilding.
January 2020
This part of the restoration is now complete. The bodywork, engine, gearbox, brakes, suspension etc are all complete. There will need to be some final tweaks once the car is completely finished but, for now, the next stage is the trimmer.
Due to the constantly moving completion date, there was always going to be a delay from when the car was finished with the restorer and going to the trimmer. So to keep the car safe and pristine and on the recommendation of a very good friend, the car was collected by Windrush storage who will keep hold of it until March when it is booked for the interior.
Some final pics before the car was collected. We installed the driver's seat to make it easier to move the car around.
This part of the restoration is now complete. The bodywork, engine, gearbox, brakes, suspension etc are all complete. There will need to be some final tweaks once the car is completely finished but, for now, the next stage is the trimmer.
Due to the constantly moving completion date, there was always going to be a delay from when the car was finished with the restorer and going to the trimmer. So to keep the car safe and pristine and on the recommendation of a very good friend, the car was collected by Windrush storage who will keep hold of it until March when it is booked for the interior.
Some final pics before the car was collected. We installed the driver's seat to make it easier to move the car around.
March 2020
We managed to get the car delivered to the trimmers just before the lockdown came into effect. Here it is delivered and then inside the trimmers unit. He works alone and, not being able to do this work from home, is safe to continue working on the interior.
We are now upto date! The car is with the trimmer and I will update when I receive news. I delivered all the interior parts I had been keeping at home, which is everything apart from the drivers seat, the headliner which has already been installed and all the dash panels which have also been installed.
We managed to get the car delivered to the trimmers just before the lockdown came into effect. Here it is delivered and then inside the trimmers unit. He works alone and, not being able to do this work from home, is safe to continue working on the interior.
We are now upto date! The car is with the trimmer and I will update when I receive news. I delivered all the interior parts I had been keeping at home, which is everything apart from the drivers seat, the headliner which has already been installed and all the dash panels which have also been installed.
classicaholic said:
Good update, its looking very good
jamesson said:
That looks absolutely beautiful. I'm looking forward to further updates as and when.
Jazzer77 said:
Wonderful pics so far, I cant wait to see the updates.
RC1807 said:
Beautiful!
Paracetamol said:
Stunning work.
Thank all for the kind words, it's really appreciated. It's nice to share the project and see people's reactions. I'm very pleased with the way it has turned out.Paracetamol said:
Do you have pictures of the new acquisition? Will you still sell this car given the market conditions?
Yes, I do have some pics of the new one. I will post them up at some point.That is a very good question about selling. Obviously that was the plan but now I'm not sure. Prices are going to take a hit and although I didn't spend 'Aston Specialist' money on the car, I don't really want to sell at a loss. I have one person who might be interested, when the car is finished I will show it to them. If they take it then great but if not then I think I may try and hang onto it.
I always planned to keep this car, it was never bought to restore and sell so keeping it wouldn't be a hardship (other than financial!). I really do think it looks fantastic and, importantly, so does the wife!
One avenue I am exploring is an equity release on the 72 and then the money from that could be put in to restoring the V8 Vantage.
I also have a 3.2 Porsche 911 that is up for sale. Someone had put a deposit on it and was due to come over from Europe to see it then the Covid-19 hit us so that didn't happen. If that went, as well as a motorbike, RIB and a Fiat 500 Abarth that were all about to be put up for sale before the world shut down, then I will have a chunk of money to put into the restoration. I will still need the equity release but at a much lower level.
I think I'm going to wait until the lockdown is over and then make a decision. I need to see where my business is at and where the world is in general. I don't think many people are going to be looking to buy a classic Aston Martin but you never know!
kev b said:
As above, a cracking restoration carried out with integrity.
To keep on going when faced with potentially unsolvable issues needs applauding, so many unfinished projects laying around have stalled for less.
Thanks Kev. Yes, there were times when I felt like throwing in the towel!! But the restorer was very patient and we always managed to come up with a solution. I would not do a box of bits restoration again though, unless all the parts were readily available. To keep on going when faced with potentially unsolvable issues needs applauding, so many unfinished projects laying around have stalled for less.
Saying that, Trevor one of the parts guys at the factory, was very helpful and, as they do their own restorations, they carry a surprising amount of parts. He was always the first port of call. Not the cheapest but if you don't have a choice then sometimes you have to suck it up and pay the money.
Yes, it's an early LHD 3.2. German delivery when new.
It was converted by a previous owner into a RSR rep. It's abit fun, not smart at all and done mega miles (although the gearbox has been rebuilt and the engine has had work) but then I'm happy to use it all the time without being precious.
I may well hang onto it as well, then at some point ditch the RSR kit and either go back to a completely standard 3.2 (maybe tele dial wheels, no whale tail) or possibly a backdate.
Here's some pics:
It was converted by a previous owner into a RSR rep. It's abit fun, not smart at all and done mega miles (although the gearbox has been rebuilt and the engine has had work) but then I'm happy to use it all the time without being precious.
I may well hang onto it as well, then at some point ditch the RSR kit and either go back to a completely standard 3.2 (maybe tele dial wheels, no whale tail) or possibly a backdate.
Here's some pics:
I'm not sure I deserve any sympathy or funding for taking on a third V8 to restore! It will get done, I assure you. I'm sooo excited about this one. It's a dream car for me. I'm looking at the current price of kidneys to raise funds...Just had an update from the trimmer.
The interior work is coming along nicely, with the parcel shelf, centre consoles, main rear seating area and roof finishers mostly trimmed and waiting fitment.
One small change I'm going to make is to the gear lever surround, shown on the left in the first photo. My car was originally an auto and the opening for the auto box is rectangular whereas the manual box is round. We are going to change this and I'm also going to recover is in the same colour as the surround, not black. Here's an example of a manual early V8 with the same colour gear lever surround and round opening.
The interior work is coming along nicely, with the parcel shelf, centre consoles, main rear seating area and roof finishers mostly trimmed and waiting fitment.
One small change I'm going to make is to the gear lever surround, shown on the left in the first photo. My car was originally an auto and the opening for the auto box is rectangular whereas the manual box is round. We are going to change this and I'm also going to recover is in the same colour as the surround, not black. Here's an example of a manual early V8 with the same colour gear lever surround and round opening.
Interior is coming along nicely. The trimmer thinks he may be finished by the end of this month.
Arm rests and ashtrays. The black one is a good second hand one I sourced, the black cover will be changed to matched the rest of the interior.
Trial fitting new door trim panels to replace the rotten originals.
Front seat covers ready to be fitted, and rear centre armrest
The next update should see parts fitted in the car.
In other news, the Porsche 911 3.2 RSR rep was sold this week. It's off to a new life in the South of France.
Arm rests and ashtrays. The black one is a good second hand one I sourced, the black cover will be changed to matched the rest of the interior.
Trial fitting new door trim panels to replace the rotten originals.
Front seat covers ready to be fitted, and rear centre armrest
The next update should see parts fitted in the car.
In other news, the Porsche 911 3.2 RSR rep was sold this week. It's off to a new life in the South of France.
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