"Le Belgique" ST build.

[Ralph]

Looking great. Will we see an up to date pic today?

[stretch]

To complete the electrics i needed to install the turn signals and headlights. I opted for GRP lightweight turn signal housings. These consumed tons of hours to get them looking good.

Like the Gaban car Marchal amplilux headlights would be fitted to my build. I managed to purchase a NOS RHD pair many moons ago. These were installed in SWB hella buckets with the correct NOS clear lenses, another long ago purchase.

To take the load off of the switch, a pair of Marchal relays were fitted.

Starting to look like the car i had imagined ....


20180219_111202 (1) by stretch1985, on Flickr
20181104_145426 (1) by stretch1985, on Flickr
20190130_172421 (1) by stretch1985, on Flickr
20190513_140036 by stretch1985, on Flickr

[stretch]

Not yet Ralph, not had a drink today yet...!
Thanks for the nice comments chaps.

Dave

[keith fellowes]

Bloody brilliant Dave.
That photo of the wiring with the relays is amazing. Reckon it is better than the original works car

[Lightweight_911]

.

Lovely work Dave - lots of nice touches/details.

Thanks for posting the updates - we've all been waiting eagerly ...

.

[stretch]

Those with a good memory might recall me making the rain trays for the rear engine lid grille many moons ago…!
Fitting these would be another time consuming job. A tip off from a fellow DDK'r and great friend Kirk had me heading down to Halfords to buy a sheet of Black Aluminum mesh. Not only was this pre-painted it was also an exact size match for the diamond pattern of the factory mesh…. Result.

I fitted this mesh with machine screws with a domed head which mimicked the factory finish perfectly. Really pleased this turned out exactly how I wanted it.

Finished and fitted.


20180420_124846 (2) by stretch1985, on Flickr
20180625_101109 by stretch1985, on Flickr
20180704_104653 (1) by stretch1985, on Flickr

[Lightweight_911]

.

That 10k tacho looks unusual with the needle vertical when the engine's off - what's the story ?

.

[stretch]

Andy, i will comment on that a little later in the build. Seasons greetings.

On to the oily bit's.

Gearbox :
i decided to retain the original 5 speed 911/01 dogleg gearbox but would remove the gear sets and replace these with the more popular shorter ratio's of AFMSX. Coupled with the fitting of a Quaife ATB LSD. Gearbox work was entrusted to former Tuthills Gearbox guru Mike Fletcher

Box was found to be in pretty good shape and the bill wasn't to bad.

DSC_0273 by stretch1985, on Flickr
DSC_0275 by stretch1985, on Flickr
DSC_0276 by stretch1985, on Flickr
DSC_02731 by stretch1985, on Flickr



Mike also agreed to build the 2.3 ST engine but this didn't work out due to him being a one man band with a huge workload. With no hard feelings, i paid my gearbox bill shook hands and began to seek out another engine builder.

Inevitably there would be a bit of a queue....!

[stretch]

Whilst researching the Gaban ST i stumbled on a 1971 article in a little know Belgium magazine called Sport Moteur.
The article contained lot's of details on the 70-71 Le Mans ST. Interesting information on the different gear sets used in this car for different types of use.

Dave

img004 by stretch1985, on Flickr

[jjeffries]

Spectacular work and car.

[jeremyg]

Fabulous build. These strands are really great reading over the holiday.

[inaglasshouse]

That's quite an update, Dave - thanks v much for posting.
Your car is looking great.

[hot66]

Wow

Great update and car looks amazing

[72911E]

Good man Dave - looks great.

[DustyM]

Looks fantastic Dave. Will it see the road in 2020?