Sticky the Rally Car

[DB RX63]

Hi Lucky,

Yep, that's my aim, only period mods, nothing too modern.

[DB RX63]

With the rear axle in, I started on the front suspension. But first a bit of a story and a learing experience.........

I already have the coilovers courtesy of Mr Gaz, and very nice they are too, however they are with Saxon Motorsport to fit some feck off great big AP four pot calipers and 280mm vented discs, so I can hopefully stop the damn thing (when I get it going.....) Anyway that leaves me with some time to get other things done before the car becomes a rolling shell.

I can't start the interior fit out due to some problems with the roll cage.

The cage was originally fitted some time ago, as supplied by Custom Cages. Well since the cage was fitted CC changed the design of the cage, OK you say, but so what ?

For rallying it is necessary to have a certified cage, that is a cage that the Motor Sports Association (RACMSA - the governing body) has approved for use in the particular vehicle, and once the cage is fitted a metal plate is supplied with the serial number of the cage, which corresponds to a drawing of the cage, so that Mr Scrutineer can check that you have a certified cage.

With me so far ?

I had to supply photographs of the fitted cage to demonstrate that it was in fact fitted properly. It was then that CC noticed that I was missing a bit of tube, two tubes in fact. So again eventually they agreed to send the offending items and they were welded in after the blooming thing had already been painted !

Job done I thought. Eventually Custom Cages approved the weld test sample sent to them and evidence of the fitted cross bracing thus (middle diagonals going to centre of the lower brace):



A few weeks later I received the eagerly anticipated cage certificate metal plate and the drawing.

It was then I discovered another problem ! CC had added what is known as an RACMSA Update bar to the cage. This is the bar shown in red in the diagram below:



Oh great I thought, more welding to mess up my paint...............

[DB RX63]

It was at this point that I took a closer look at the cage diagram:



So I'm also missing the bars in solid red, the longitudinal bar under the dash and another roof brace............

To say I was miffed at CC was an understatement.

So my critical path on the build is ti get the shell fitted with the brakes and front struts, fit wheels, put on trailer to get cage modifications done, then repaint the interior, BEFORE I can carry on with the fit out.

That hasn't stopped me buying some bits and bobs tho !

Test fitting fire extinguishers:



So, on with front suspension build pending the brakes being finished.........

[DB RX63]

Ok, Time to build some of the front end.

The front lower control arms have been plated for strength and powder coated before being fitted with new ball joints.





I'm not going for rose or heim joints on these as I want a bit of 'give' in them and as I have adjustable top mounts, I can alter the camber that way.

Here it all is bolted up with the RB ARB. I also welded a web filler to the steering arm to beef it up and these have been powder coated too.



For the time being I am using the standard steering box, but will be fitting a steering rack. But in the interests of getting a rolling shell, the box will do.

[ian65]

this is an epic build Derek, you attention to detail is superb.... it's going to be a special car when it's finished..... great work

[DB RX63]

Hi Ian,

Many thanks, I do suffer from an abundance of OCD !

I know how I want it and I wont compromise on that.

I'm sure it will be worth it eventually.

DB

[codge]

Superb work Derek.
Looks the business.

[re japi]

Looking very nice, suberb work! Hopefully, someday, I can see here live

Btw, that group B spoiler, how much that would cost if he make us one?

[DB RX63]

Thanks for the compliments chaps.

I will post more updates shortly.

[mc turbo]

hi m8 is this spoiler available ??? as i can collect this on sunday cheers mick 07894 707535