Special getting closer...

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Sun May 01, 2011 8:31 am

Really sorry to hear about that Graham! Suspension failure is definitely not the drama I was after!

Good thing is you are all OK

Hopefully the car will come back better and stronger ready to fight another day.

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sun May 01, 2011 4:11 pm

Graham

Sorry to hear of your woes, Yes suspension failure is not nice, only had it once, it happens quick and swaps ends even quicker !!

Yeah I suppose a 30 yr old car with more than twice the designed power is not a good recipe, had similar issues on my Jedi which was one of the original 500cc cars, when I put in the 220hp GSXR

Glad to hear that at least it's nothing money can't fix

Suggest fresh bolts and any mounting plates for the all suspension as well, just as insurance.

Chin up

jwhillracer · Post by **jwhillracer** » Sun May 01, 2011 4:27 pm

Glad to hear that you're OK.

I would keep the body as it is until you're happy with both the performance and handling - leaves a bit more room for experimentation and testing without too many more tears!!

JW

johnM · Post by **johnM** » Sun May 01, 2011 4:31 pm

Very sorry to here of your misshap, really enjoying this thread. Like so many things messing with old cars and race cars is a roller coaster ride. Hold tight and you will be smiling soon.
Kind regards

chris68 · Post by **chris68** » Sun May 01, 2011 5:30 pm

I've just read about your misfortune - sorry to hear that. I was at Prescott today with the family and looking out for your car.

Well done for staying positive and pragmatic. Hope it's back on the tarmac soon.

p.s. Saw a very nice looking white lwb 911 in the car park. Anyone from here?

Regards,
Chris

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Sun May 01, 2011 6:09 pm

First time I've had the suspension fail on any car, sure is sudden and no warning at all.

The car is all apart now and found lots of damage, all in that corner. Jonathan knows how fast you approach Prescott's Esses so quite a ride.

Rear upright bottom mount split off due to some stupid weding. The aluminium upright has been repaired before. The broken face was machined flat, a new block drilled and then a thin shim of alum (0.5mm!) was sandwiched between the two and welded with NO preparation for the fillet at all!
With stunning precision the dork then linished the welds to an 'invisible state' easy because 95% of the weld bead was removed....

3 broken rose jounts (1/2" unf too) and 2 bent ones.
One original March radius arm was slightly bent and has straightened, but i done trust it.

Wheel OK, all bodywork struts re bent but the body has certainly suffered, esp the front. I take your point Jonathan, but it is a mess. Red gaffa tape will be used for 2011...

So, 4 radius arms (beefed-up) all new rose joints (brackets all look good Mike) and then: what to do about the upright.

Trish really wants me to buy 2 new ones so all is well and safe. This is the second crash in the car and she is bothered.

I know someone who makes new ones, so emails off tomorrw to see. It will be a long wait i bet, so might put some fresh tyres onto the 911 and play with the Sports Car boys!

I actually do not feel too upset about this as the car will be better afterwards.
Good bit was the engine was strong and all the gears came in to my command!

The white 73T was very nice in the car park but had strange shaped rear wings?

gridgway · Post by **gridgway** » Mon May 02, 2011 2:08 pm

Glad all is ok! I had a front upright break on my Radical last year under heavy braking at Oulton, fortunately the front wheel just folded up underneath and did minimal damage. Scary moment though. We got another from the Radical spares truck, fitted it and taped up the body.

Rather weirdly, the guy doing the spannering didn't manage to get the top bolt done up properly, so 5 laps later I did a repeat performance with the top wishbone coming away from the upright.

Graham

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Mon May 02, 2011 6:28 pm

Certainly happens suddenly!

Rear body all reapired now with scars left for all to see.
Everything apart, new rose joints on thier way.

Problem is of course the upright. They are mid 1970's used on many race cars but ones with caliper mounts on are hyper rare.

Considering fabrication in steel to the same dimensions for speed and cost.
I would fancy repairing the upright properly but the wife is not impressed ata the idea.

I nearly bought a Radical instead of the lola, many times wish i had!

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Mon May 02, 2011 7:10 pm

Graham,

I've use Crossle Racing Cars for my fab and repair work for years. Being of similar vintage to Lola, if not older, and having all those decades of experience, can I suggest you give them a ring, and they could talk through if they think a proper repair of the upright is possible. These guys know their stuff and will be competitive compared to GB prices.

Try them on 028 90763332, Arnie Black is the boss and races historic F2 cars, so they know lots about non-Crossle machinery.

PS I've no connection to them, but if you mention the former Jedi pilot, they'll know who sent you !!

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Mon May 02, 2011 8:31 pm

I know the 9S 'well' ,always fancied one. hoping to see them racing at Silverstone next weekend.

I'm down the steel fabrication route now. Simple, durable and a bit heavy, but no quirky repairs.
Wife won't have it repaired, and i don't need the grief!

Thanks though for the info, you never know for later!

Graham.

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Tue May 03, 2011 10:36 pm

Fingers and spanners crossed, I've found a real pro who can repair the upright and only 25 miles away. If this works then car could be done inside 3 weeks with the rattiest body seen...

I could save a £1000 too which will pay for the set-up and a few other things needed.

Surprisingly difficult to sort these kind of things out, but this came about by word of mouth, but i was (and might still be) headding for a fabricated route:

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Sat May 07, 2011 6:47 pm

Just been sent this shot.
No wonder i stopped quickly..

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Sat May 07, 2011 8:42 pm

P.S Right click; "save image as"; upload to photobucket

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Sat May 07, 2011 10:45 pm

I got fed-up trying to do that so photographed the screen!
Bloody computors.

Apparently, the car went up the back even further...

About 15 years ago the 911 went up the very same bank with the same driver, but that was my fault thinking i was a racing driver.
This time someone thought he was a welder.

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Sat May 07, 2011 11:02 pm

That rear wheel steering never did catch on though did it?