Anyone done their own restoration of a DBS V8 or similar?
Discussion
For years, I restored cars as a hobby, The usual Minis and Mg's but also some classic Jags.
So I'm an enthusiast not a mechanic, but I'm lucky enough to have a car lift, tools and space.
Last week I ended up with a DBS V8 from 1970, which has sat wrapped in a garage for 7 years following electrical problems.
I have not seen the car yet except in photos, it arrives next week but it needs restoring.
Now I get that I won't be able to ring suppliers to get an off the shelf front wing or complete interior!
That said instead of flipping the car I do fancy restoring it myself.
So have many attempted this or is it genuinely a job for the experts?
I'd be happy to farm out painting (and possibly an engine rebuild if help and advice is not available) but before I start training on English wheels, I would appreciate any opinions.
Many thanks
So I'm an enthusiast not a mechanic, but I'm lucky enough to have a car lift, tools and space.
Last week I ended up with a DBS V8 from 1970, which has sat wrapped in a garage for 7 years following electrical problems.
I have not seen the car yet except in photos, it arrives next week but it needs restoring.
Now I get that I won't be able to ring suppliers to get an off the shelf front wing or complete interior!
That said instead of flipping the car I do fancy restoring it myself.
So have many attempted this or is it genuinely a job for the experts?
I'd be happy to farm out painting (and possibly an engine rebuild if help and advice is not available) but before I start training on English wheels, I would appreciate any opinions.
Many thanks
I guess it's about whether you are looking for a complete concours rebuild or enough repairs to keep it respectable and reliable.
One thing to think about is that the visible body is nearly all aluminium over a steel frame & "chassis".
I learnt steel welding on my various Triumphs, so had no problem with the steelwork on my 1977 V8. In fact in many ways it's easier, as the Aston steelwork is often flat plates welded together, rather than complex pressings of mass-produced cars.
They rust in all the places you'd expect for a 1970s car.
I left the ali welding and painting to experts.
The mechanicals are also 1970s, so not difficult to work on if you have experience from that era. The engine is rather exotic, but I managed to rebuild it myself. Many items are "parts bin" so it's useful to know what you can use from cheaper sources. There is usually a substantial Aston spares tax
You will also have loads of fun with the injection system. Mine has carbs, thank goodness.
There is lots of help and experience available in the AMOC forum in the V8 sub group.
I wish you the very best of luck !!
One thing to think about is that the visible body is nearly all aluminium over a steel frame & "chassis".
I learnt steel welding on my various Triumphs, so had no problem with the steelwork on my 1977 V8. In fact in many ways it's easier, as the Aston steelwork is often flat plates welded together, rather than complex pressings of mass-produced cars.
They rust in all the places you'd expect for a 1970s car.
I left the ali welding and painting to experts.
The mechanicals are also 1970s, so not difficult to work on if you have experience from that era. The engine is rather exotic, but I managed to rebuild it myself. Many items are "parts bin" so it's useful to know what you can use from cheaper sources. There is usually a substantial Aston spares tax
You will also have loads of fun with the injection system. Mine has carbs, thank goodness.
There is lots of help and experience available in the AMOC forum in the V8 sub group.
I wish you the very best of luck !!
My V8 restoration was a bit of both. I stripped it down to a rolling shell and had the bodywork and paintwork professionally restored. I also had the engine rebuilt by an Aston specialist (Aston Engineering) because I wanted the confidence that it was rebuilt correctly. All the other parts I either restored myself or found independent specialists to carry out the work. I then reassembled everything and had the car checked over by an Aston specialist once back together.
If you are a competent welder and fabricator then there is very little you wouldn't be able to do yourself - they are fairly simple vehicles. Specialists now supply most repair panels both steel and aluminium so that makes life easier.
My only words of advice would be don't start it unless you intend to finish. Cars stripped and in bits are the least desirable projects so have less value.
Good luck and enjoy.
Graham
If you are a competent welder and fabricator then there is very little you wouldn't be able to do yourself - they are fairly simple vehicles. Specialists now supply most repair panels both steel and aluminium so that makes life easier.
My only words of advice would be don't start it unless you intend to finish. Cars stripped and in bits are the least desirable projects so have less value.
Good luck and enjoy.
Graham
That is all good to know.
Actually it is really good news too! I will check the car over and lose a few nights sleep.
My usual approach is to completely strip the chassis but as you say, I will try and avoid that stage until I am fully committed.
Committed to the full restoration that is, although I do find this hobby a bit of an affliction!
I’m sure if I had a better memory I wouldn’t even be asking the question!
Many thanks all.
Actually it is really good news too! I will check the car over and lose a few nights sleep.
My usual approach is to completely strip the chassis but as you say, I will try and avoid that stage until I am fully committed.
Committed to the full restoration that is, although I do find this hobby a bit of an affliction!
I’m sure if I had a better memory I wouldn’t even be asking the question!
Many thanks all.
If you haven't already, I'd recommend joining AMOC as some suppliers will offer a club discount. The AMOC Forum and various other groups may lead you a larger number of owners and suppliers than you may find here
I'd also invest in the workshop manual and parts book, also Will Presland's book if you can find one
It's also important to decide what "restore" means for you. Do you want a new pin, or a car that works as intended but has patina? If the former, it'll markedly increase your upfront and ownership costs. It's why my rotbox is the latter!
Do you know the car's history, and what records come with it?
Please let me know if I can help. Where are you?
I'd also invest in the workshop manual and parts book, also Will Presland's book if you can find one
It's also important to decide what "restore" means for you. Do you want a new pin, or a car that works as intended but has patina? If the former, it'll markedly increase your upfront and ownership costs. It's why my rotbox is the latter!
Do you know the car's history, and what records come with it?
Please let me know if I can help. Where are you?
Cheers
I was looking at copies of the workshop manual last night and I figured the parts manual would be a good idea.
The other book you mentioned I don’t know but I’ll look.
I’m outside Cardiff.
Regarding the standard of resto, I nearly always fall victim to my OCD. I’m currently doing an Elan Sprint and although planned a minimum cost car to use, but then tracked so much new old stock bits, I know I have gone a bit far already.
That said my brother may bankroll the restoration and then co/own it so there is hope, he will keep me on track!
Once I see the car I will join the owners club if it is a goer.
Unfortunately no history to speak of, but equally may have a boot full that the PO has forgotten. At this point I’m crossing my fingers!
Cheers
I was looking at copies of the workshop manual last night and I figured the parts manual would be a good idea.
The other book you mentioned I don’t know but I’ll look.
I’m outside Cardiff.
Regarding the standard of resto, I nearly always fall victim to my OCD. I’m currently doing an Elan Sprint and although planned a minimum cost car to use, but then tracked so much new old stock bits, I know I have gone a bit far already.
That said my brother may bankroll the restoration and then co/own it so there is hope, he will keep me on track!
Once I see the car I will join the owners club if it is a goer.
Unfortunately no history to speak of, but equally may have a boot full that the PO has forgotten. At this point I’m crossing my fingers!
Cheers
Edited by bitsilly on Wednesday 5th July 16:20
You can do this fella . Why don't you start a Thread charting your progress . A friend did similar with an E type and he reckoned that during the bad times when perhaps something hadn't gone as planned , the encouragement and advice of the Forum members kept him going . One bloke even turned up one evening with a set of wire wheels and spinners and simply gave them to him .
😋
Thanks!
I acknowledge that you don’t know me but making comments like that to a stranger truly warms the cockles of an old heart!
I have always done what I can to help like minded folk, admittedly not handing over a set wires, but I like to think what goes around comes around!
Nothing to do with AM restoration, just a way of saving humanity!
I think I might do this!!
Watch this space!!
Many thanks all!
Thanks!
I acknowledge that you don’t know me but making comments like that to a stranger truly warms the cockles of an old heart!
I have always done what I can to help like minded folk, admittedly not handing over a set wires, but I like to think what goes around comes around!
Nothing to do with AM restoration, just a way of saving humanity!
I think I might do this!!
Watch this space!!
Many thanks all!
bitsilly said:
??
Thanks!
I acknowledge that you don’t know me but making comments like that to a stranger truly warms the cockles of an old heart!
I have always done what I can to help like minded folk, admittedly not handing over a set wires, but I like to think what goes around comes around!
Nothing to do with AM restoration, just a way of saving humanity!
I think I might do this!!
Watch this space!!
Many thanks all!
You might find Chris’s thread below interesting. We are all waiting with baited breath for him to post an update on his latest project…Thanks!
I acknowledge that you don’t know me but making comments like that to a stranger truly warms the cockles of an old heart!
I have always done what I can to help like minded folk, admittedly not handing over a set wires, but I like to think what goes around comes around!
Nothing to do with AM restoration, just a way of saving humanity!
I think I might do this!!
Watch this space!!
Many thanks all!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
bitsilly said:
??
Thanks!
I acknowledge that you don’t know me but making comments like that to a stranger truly warms the cockles of an old heart!
I have always done what I can to help like minded folk, admittedly not handing over a set wires, but I like to think what goes around comes around!
Nothing to do with AM restoration, just a way of saving humanity!
I think I might do this!!
Watch this space!!
Many thanks all!
You might find Chris’s thread below interesting. We are all waiting with baited breath for him to post an update on his latest project…Thanks!
I acknowledge that you don’t know me but making comments like that to a stranger truly warms the cockles of an old heart!
I have always done what I can to help like minded folk, admittedly not handing over a set wires, but I like to think what goes around comes around!
Nothing to do with AM restoration, just a way of saving humanity!
I think I might do this!!
Watch this space!!
Many thanks all!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
CQ8 said:
Calinours said:
You might find Chris’s thread below interesting. We are all waiting with baited breath for him to post an update on his latest project…
Thank you for linking to my thread, hopefully useful reading.Spoke to the garage last week..... work has started!
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff