AStOn mARtIn VAnqUISh AStOn mARtIn V8 EFI AStOn ... - The Seen

More documents

Recommendations

Info

FEATURE : ROAD RACER 16 engine was subsequently dynamometer tested and produced in excess of 375bhp. While the engine work was going on the car was put through a serious weight loss program which brought it down to 1,280kgs. Additionally the rear axle was uprated with a full limited-slip differential, while double wheel bearings, cross bracing and rear suspension with unequal length upper and lower trailing arms and adjustable rear dampers were also fitted. The front suspension was uprated with ride height adjustable Koni dampers and modified king pins. Although modified for racing it’s worth noting that the B2 regs stipulated that cars must be to MoT standard for use on the public road. With Perspex windows/rear screen and the sunshine roof removed, the car was now down to 1,265kgs dry and in this spec it ran successfully in AMOC championships, coming first-inclass for two consecutive years. DB4/411/R also completed two 1hr races at Spa Francorchamps as well as various other events including the Masters series at Silverstone and Donington Park. In the car’s entire competition career it only failed to finish on one occasion. It was retired from competition at the end of 2007 having suffered no racing accidents. fuLLbore the reStorAtioN Under the supervision of NM&Co’s Manager of Heritage Operations David Swadling, work started in 2008 on rebuilding DB4/411/R to a ‘fast road’ specification, retaining as many of the uprated, high performance components as would be practical for road use. The Body – The car was stripped of all paint and brightwork, and the dashboard and interior fittings were also removed. The body was then closely inspected with all body filler removed. All the panels were also carefully checked and any corrosion found was removed. New panels, including a nose section, lower rear wings and door skins were fitted where necessary. The rear wings were reshaped to accommodate 6-inch rims and tyres, and the bonnet was modified with a rear lip for improved engine bay ventilation. New Zagato-style sprung bonnet pins were fabricated and installed, along with a new oil cooler scoop. The entire radiator area received specially fabricated ducting for maximum cooling along with a new radiator surround and grille. With the body prepared and primed the car was painted in DB4GT Zagato Sanction 2 Green. Prior to reassembly all the exterior fittings were re-chromed, including the side window frames, and new door shut ’polka dot’ finishers were fabricated and fitted. New door/ boot seals were also fitted, as was a new windscreen.
FEATURE : ROAD RACER The interior – The dashboard was removed and refinished and the original reconditioned instrumentation was re-instated. New sound insulation was installed behind the dash, new aluminium door pads and quarter panels were fabricated, and the entire rear seat area was designed and built using machined, marine-ply woods with discreet, built-in oddment stowage compartments. The interior was entirely re-trimmed with new hides, carpets, Alcantara headlining and rubber kick plate facings. The racespec rear roll cage was retained, but refinished, padded and trimmed with Alcantara sleeves held in situ by Velcro. The interior courtesy lights were re-instated and new harness type seat belts were installed. A new steering wheel and horn assembly was fitted, while the column, its surrounds and dash undertrays were fabricated, trimmed and installed along with new ventilation ducting. A new spare wheel well with cover was fabricated to accommodate the 6-inch rim spare, and the boot was lined and trimmed with new underfelt and carpet. A new tool roll, jack and copper mallet completed the picture at the rear. The Mechanicals – The gearbox and axle was removed and checked, and a new balanced, road-going AP clutch assembly was fitted with a new clutch fork and slave cylinder. The brakes were disassembled and inspected with new seals and pads fitted, while the suspension components were dismantled, re- 17 assembled and lubricated, and the geometry and dampers all reset for road use. The car was then given a major service. The electrics – All electrical components were removed, inspected and replaced with new or reconditioned parts as required. These included Euro dipping headlamps, new rear lights, interior lamps and switches, and a new thermostatic control was installed for the twin electric radiator fans. the eNd reSuLt Since completion the car has passed its MoT and has been subjected to over 200 miles of road testing, both in heavy London traffic and on the open road. DB4/411/R’s impressive power-to-weight ratio and much improved braking, suspension and handling gives it a level of performance far superior to most road-going DB4s. NM&Co’s Dave Swadling confirms that it would be ideal for competitive events such as the Tour Auto, or for hillclimbs and sprints, or for road use as it represents the current ‘state of the art’ for uprated DB4s. Indeed, it could lay claim to being among the fastest roadgoing DB4s in existence. DB4/411/R is available to buy, contact NM&Co for details. fuLLbore ‘THIS cAr rEPrESENTS THE cUrrENT ‘STATE Of THE ArT’ fOr UPrATEd ASTON MArTIN dB4s’
Page 2 and 3: MEE SPEAK Short days and long, dark
Page 4 and 5: NEWS AStOn COOLESt, AgAIn In Septem
Page 6 and 7: FEATURE VANQUISHING POINT... 9 Word
Page 8 and 9: FEATURE : KATIE, KERMIT & KILOMETRE
Page 10 and 11: GARRARD’S GEMS + HOT LIST gARRARD
Page 12 and 13: WhAt’S In StOCK AStoN mArtiN V8 V
Page 14 and 15: FEATURE 9 fuLLbore rOAd rAcEr Words
Page 18 and 19: CTR EVENTS 2011 18 EXCLUSIVE DRIVIN
Page 20 and 21: ASTONSTORE SPOTLIGHT + ASTON MARTIN
Page 22 and 23: MOTORSPORT BRItCAR 24hR, SILVERStOn

AStOn mARtIn VAnqUISh AStOn mARtIn V8 EFI AStOn ... - The Seen

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?