DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

73SJM wrote:Look forward to seeing it arrive at Hull docks for the trip to Germany next month.

Can't wait!…..is that when I get to join the gang?

This week was spent sorting the small details….glad to say I received a nod of approval from the boss!…



…and as the car was all back together……....we decided to take it apart again! ….



….as well as drilling a few more holes!….



….been gagging to apply these! ….



….positioning copied from a nice original 73 2.4E, thanks Keith …



All coming together now and just in time for a little trip today…..

Darren65 wrote:Can't wait!…..is that when I get to join the gang?

It's not that easy Darren - haven't you been told about the initiation ceremony ? ...

Don't mention that in public Andy. You know the rules

……a trip here….for the perfect geometry and balance set up …..



I know they have a reputation second to none but even if I had never heard of Center Gravity before I would have felt at ease the moment I walked through their door….



Chris, Peter and Jayne clearly have a passion for what they do….after discussing what I want to achieve with Chris - pretty much standard spec, a tad lower than stock and 1° nose down rake (actually I said make it look as good as Dr Mark's! ) - I left the car in the capable hands of Center Gravity….must be odd for Chris having a client who hasn't driven his car prior and won't be driving it after! …



After collecting tomorrow the car will be 98% complete with just a few minor items, sill trims and my rebuilt seats to be fitted by Canford Classics next Tuesday….first drive scheduled for next Friday!

….that's if I can resist the temptation over the weekend!…….hope it rains!

Cheers,

Lightweight_911 wrote:

Darren65 wrote:Can't wait!…..is that when I get to join the gang?

It's not that easy Darren - haven't you been told about the initiation ceremony ? ...

Gary71 wrote:Don't mention that in public Andy. You know the rules

OMG!!!…..Bootsy AND Cubist!

Looking very very nice Darren.

Have you got your running-in schedule sorted out? The temptation will be there when you have waited so long to explore the full potential but you must get some easy careful miles first. Remember, it's not just the engine you are running- in. Gearbox, wheel bearings, steering rack, suspension etc etc.
I'm sure you've thought it through.

Oh, and we need a picture of that first wide cheesy grin from ear to ear!

Enjoy

Regards
Mike

Darren65 wrote:
Chris, Peter and Jayne clearly have a passion for what they do….after discussing what I want to achieve with Chris - pretty much standard spec, a tad lower than stock and 1° nose down rake (actually I said make it look as good as Dr Mark's! ) - I left the car in the capable hands of Center Gravity….must be odd for Chris having a client who hasn't driven his car prior and won't be driving it after! …


Cheers,

Flattery indeed! That is one gorgeous car! Well deserved. Can't wait to hear what you think after you have driven it.

M

Thank you Gentlemen,

The car picked up a few of these today………



…does anything look as good as squashed bugs on your windscreen and bonnet!

Good work Darren but you'll have to try harder! Looking forward to the PoB tour!

Beautiful Feroz …..I'm working up to that!

I had my first drive in the E yesterday..................or should I say ride!

I arrived at Center Gravity just before 5 o'clock and caught up with DDK Royalty.....



Chris Franklin meanwhile was still hard at work.....



..although things were looking good.....



...the car had spent the day with some very nice company...



..and then it was time for the test drive .....

Not only is Chris a master at suspension set-up I think he can drive a bit too! Obviously a little odd for him not having the customer drive the vehicle to test his set-up however I've never driven it previously so would have had no idea of how different it felt.

Chris spent a lot of time explaining what had been done, how the car should behave, how it should turn in and the characteristics of an early 911....at one point he took his hands off the wheel down a bumpy country lane and car remained straight and true.

My first impressions?......firstly the noise from the newly rebuilt gearbox and LSD is a bit of a shocker! (I'm told this is normal to start with and not unlike the noise from a GT3)......the engine note, harmonious magic!.... the test drive drive was something else....quite spirited within the constraints of a freshly rebuilt engine....the car has a light, nimble feeling, the turn in and grip belie the fact that this is a 40 year old car, Chris held the steering wheel with the lighest of touch and caressed it as though it was made of bone china, his input and movement was minimal.... the car positively glided and danced through the bends with the grace of a Ballerina ..........a wonderful experience which I can't wait to try.

I think I'll like it!

Chris was very complimentary on how the car was put together and the quality of the build, thank you Canford Classics , and said the car is as square and true as they come, thank you Mr Carter , I then asked the question...does it drive like an early 911 should?....his response..'exactly how it should, it's beautiful!'

I've had some wonderful days during this restoration and yesterday ranks up there with the best of them.....I really cannot thank Chris, Jayne and Peter at Center Gravity enough, their work is second to none and although there's obviously many out people out there with the same skills I doubt there's many who put in the same time, dedication and love that these guys do...they work hard to achieve perfection and it shows!

Even though we were now approaching 8 o'clock on a Friday night Chris still wasn't done and had plenty of time as he carefully went through and explained all the work, measurements and settings the car had gone through. Pure class!

I arrived home just before 10 o'clock still grinning from ear to ear...off the trailer and put to bed...





....what a wonderful day!

Hi Darren

Great story.

I must admit the first thing I did when I drove my car up the back street was to phone Mike B and ask if the LSD should sound like that!!
But the plates have bedded in now and its very quite. You can feel the diff working in the tight corners, almost endless grip

Can not wait to see your car Darren, not long now.

superb Darren

Also, don't forget, when you finally get to drive the car & you find the suspension set up isn't quite to your taste / driving style, Chris will stand by his work & take it back and adjust according to your preference Every early car I have driven feels different.

Darren65 wrote:I had my first drive in the E yesterday..................or should I say ride!

I arrived at Center Gravity just before 5 o'clock and caught up with DDK Royalty.....

Bit harsh - I don't think I'd call mark a queen to his face



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