Classic Aston Martin V8's
Discussion
Thank you all for your opinions on the interior. I really like the burgundy but I think I'm going to go with the more neutral tan.
I've been ordering lots of parts this week, some small some big. Still so many missing or damaged pieces to find though.
I've been ordering lots of parts this week, some small some big. Still so many missing or damaged pieces to find though.
Astacus said:
Quick question: Do the man maths still add up? 
The man maths, by their very definition, should always add up! If it doesn't you're not interpreting the numbers correctly... Small update from the restorer...
Some parts cleaned and painted
Steering rack and column mostly in place
Fuel filter: As you can see the condition was poor, but we have managed to clean-up the inside and have a new filter element awaiting to be fitted.
Brake/clutch fluid reservoir bracket assembly: These were missing and so we remade new from stainless steel. Originally they would be painted black, and we will replicate that finish.
Steering wheel hub assembled
Steering wheel hub inner section: When coming to fit together with the steering wheel, this inner section has been broken. I had a spare but sadly it’s different and for another style steering wheel. But I've tracked one down at a specialist so this will be going on shortly.
Vacuum tank bracket: This was corroded and required some repairs.
Vacuum tank: Was rusty, scruffy and required paint for protection.
I have also been getting hold of leather samples to try and narrow down the final colour. Who knew there were so many variations of tan! I'm waiting for three more samples and then a decision can be made....
It really feels like the project is starting to come together now. I'm about to send off another box of bits to the restorer, things like front and rear lights, windscreen wipers, rear view mirror, and various other bits and pieces. Most of what I have left in my garage is for the interior and will be going to the trimmer in the next few weeks.
I've also been emptying the bank account getting hold of various pieces that have been sent straight to the restorer. Clutch slave cylinder, clutch master cylinder, diff brackets etc etc. So hopefully we will start to see more and more parts added to the shell and it will start to look like an Aston again.
There are still quite a few bits that are missing or so damaged they are unusable but slowly we are finding the bits we need.
Some parts cleaned and painted
Steering rack and column mostly in place
Fuel filter: As you can see the condition was poor, but we have managed to clean-up the inside and have a new filter element awaiting to be fitted.
Brake/clutch fluid reservoir bracket assembly: These were missing and so we remade new from stainless steel. Originally they would be painted black, and we will replicate that finish.
Steering wheel hub assembled
Steering wheel hub inner section: When coming to fit together with the steering wheel, this inner section has been broken. I had a spare but sadly it’s different and for another style steering wheel. But I've tracked one down at a specialist so this will be going on shortly.
Vacuum tank bracket: This was corroded and required some repairs.
Vacuum tank: Was rusty, scruffy and required paint for protection.
I have also been getting hold of leather samples to try and narrow down the final colour. Who knew there were so many variations of tan! I'm waiting for three more samples and then a decision can be made....
It really feels like the project is starting to come together now. I'm about to send off another box of bits to the restorer, things like front and rear lights, windscreen wipers, rear view mirror, and various other bits and pieces. Most of what I have left in my garage is for the interior and will be going to the trimmer in the next few weeks.
I've also been emptying the bank account getting hold of various pieces that have been sent straight to the restorer. Clutch slave cylinder, clutch master cylinder, diff brackets etc etc. So hopefully we will start to see more and more parts added to the shell and it will start to look like an Aston again.
There are still quite a few bits that are missing or so damaged they are unusable but slowly we are finding the bits we need.
Dr G said:
Great to see things progressing; I dare not imagine how much elusive bits of classic Aston martin can fetch but hopefully seeing nice, fresh parts go onto the finished shell makes it worthwhile.
I've been pleasantly surprised so far. The odd thing like the windscreen clips I mentioned add up because you need quite a lot of them. But nothing has been ruinous. I don't think I've spent over £500 on a single piece yet. Which is not too bad as some of these parts are bespoke to the Aston. At the same time though a lot of parts are shared with classics of the same era. For example, we've decided to replace the door locks as they are abit scruffy and will stand out against the new paintwork. They're the same as used by the original Lotus Elan so I've just ordered a new set with keys for under £50.hondansx said:
This has been a great read over the last few hours whilst I've been in-between things at work! Nice to see someone so dedicated to their Aston - your DBS looked great.
I much prefer the wheels you sold the DBS on, for what it's worth.
I'm with you there, I do love the look of those. For this one, I'm going to use the 16" Ronal wheels that were fitted to the later V8's such as this Series 5 Efi coupeI much prefer the wheels you sold the DBS on, for what it's worth.
The wheels fitted to my DBS V8 were very similar to the Ronals but were BBS and not quite the same.
The hubs need to be machined to fit these wheels but as my V8's hubs were re-drilled for Virage Volante wheels by a previous owner this would need to be done even if I went back to the original GKN wheels (the same as fitted to my DBS V8 on page 1 before I changed them and the green Series 2 V8 I posted).
I am having the hubs cleaned up and machined at the moment, and the reproduction Ronal wheels are available from Works Service. I will need to order them fairly soon as they will be needed to get the shell rolling.
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