DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

sladey wrote:Cool - welcome to the forum - car looks great. Any details of how it's going together - are you keeping it stock or making any modifications/upgrades etc?

Thanks! Yes - I'm making some slight modifications, but nothing dramatic to see.

The car was quite highly specified when new - S spec trim package, Reccaro sports seats, electric windows, Fuch wheels, etc. However, the main visual change I'm making will be the front bumper, which will be the S spec item as I want the extra downforce it provides ready for the slight upgrade in power!

Other minor upgrades include a full leather interior with cord inserts in the original Recarro seats, as when new, a 380mm double leather wrapped steering wheel and driver's side door pull.

You'll also notice a few other items in the various photos as I post them, including S brakes, oil cooler and a few choice engine modifications, but more on that later!

Simon.

mycar wrote:Welcome to DDk Simon, that`s a beautiful colour. I presume you`ve had the car repainted in it`s original colour but the first photo and the freshly sprayed photo do look different... lighting conditions I suppose ??

Thanks - yes, it's the original Gemini Blue Metallic as per when the car was originally built. It does definitely look different depending on lighting conditions. I ended up making a couple of trips down to Bournemouth just to confirm the colour was what I wanted!

Just to slide off topic slightly, (you asked for it) Why were you so disappointed in the Aston ? I nearly talked myself into one of those 3 months ago (until Mrs Mycar realised what was going on) and it would make me feel slightly better to hear how rubbish they are.

There were a number of reasons, including poor build quality - the car was delivered brand new with a bad rattle in the dash (they're all like that, apparently!?!), corrosion on some of the aluminium parts in the cabin and on the outside of the car, a loose rear light cluster, several scuffs on the paintwork, a boot lid that wouldn't close unless you slammed it as hard as you could (which would make the plastic rear bumper flex and look cheap every time!) and faulty air conditioning that one minute would be freezing, the next minute cooking you and the next minute misting up the windscreen!!! The dealers excuse for all of this... "It's a hand built car, what does Sir expect?"! I don't think he liked my reply!

However, probably the most disappointing aspect was the driving dynamics - it was just too boring! It might sound great (especially when you take fuse 22 out and the exhaust flaps stay open all the time!) and everyone looks at you (if that's your thing - I didn't like that), but that doesn't make up for the fact that unless you're thrashing the car it feels like you're driving a Mondeo! Dull, dull, dull character and all show - almost the exact opposite to my 997.

They look lovely, but I'd never buy one again!

Don't even get me started on the DB9 that I had on loan for 3 days whilst they attempted to fix the Vantage - I ended up leaving that at home and driving a 1 Series BMW instead!

Simon.

Work on the car is progressing quite quickly now that it's back at the Canford Classics workshop and the fit out has started...







The seat rails waiting to go in...



Some of the parts waiting to be fitted...



Original brakes...



And a bit of chrome bling...



Simon.

TDK wrote: it feels like you're driving a Mondeo! Dull, dull, dull.

Simon.

Very sad to hear. Up in smoke, boyhood dreams.

Keep the excellent photos coming, wonderful colour by the way. Did I say that already.

Another quick update for you all, the electrics going in...



Next the carpets...





And the headliner is now in...



Simon.

The headliner was supplied by me and Alan has made as usual a great job of fitting. Further details here http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 791#221791
Cheers Dave

Yet more progress...

The headliner is finished - interior light and coat hook fitted, along with some glass...



The dash starts to come together...



The wiring from the rear of the dash...



The dash pad goes on...



New front windscreen about to be fitted...



Simon.

Another update after taking a trip down to Canford Classics a week or so ago to take a look at the progress of my car. As you can probably guess, I'm very happy!

The car being worked on...



Really starting to come together with some of the details going on...



Can you tell what it is yet?...



Original Bilstein S/RS spec front struts waiting to be fitted...



New Bilstein suspension fitted all round...



Interior coming together, should be finished in time for my next visit in a week or so...



Next stage will be the mechanicals, which should be fun as it's not exactly going to be standard. Ignore the km/h speedo (fitted for testing), but this photo should give you a clue as to what is planned...



Simon.

I popped down to Canford Classics again on Saturday to take a look at the progress of my car. Things have slowed down a little now that we're waiting for the engine and gearbox to return from being upgraded and rebuilt, but there are still a few things to update you all on.

Here she is, awaiting an engine...



The oil lines are now fitted...



As is the new oil thermostat...



The rear and front Bilstein S/RS spec suspension...



You can see in the picture of the front suspension that the oil cooler isn't fitted yet. Unfortunately it was a single year spec part for 1973 and isn't available anymore, so we're having some fabricated! Also, the front S/RS spec calipers aren't fitted yet as they're off being re-finished in yet another single year spec finish for 1973.

The original front bumper (painted, ready to be stored) and the new S spec bumper ready to be fitted...



Durant mirror fitted...



Only a few more weeks to go now and I can't wait! I hope to post up some details of the mechanicals soon.

Simon.

Original orange bar hood badge...



And after restoration by Heywood Enamels in Australia...



Simon.

Things have progress a lot since I last posted to my thread, so time for an update!

Some of the leather interior panels waiting to go in...



Rear bulkhead and parcel shelf...



And fitted...



The interior is almost finished with just the door panels and caps to be fitted and the seats fixed into place.

Simon

The gauges are back from the USA after being refurbished...



And fitted...



Along with a lovely 380mm leather double wrapped steering wheel...





Simon.

Meanwhile the shell build continues - lights and indicators go in, bumpers and rubber trim goes on...



Fresh air fan goes in...



Fuel tank and spare wheel are in...



The oil cooler ready to be fitted...



And on the car...



This is a 1973 only part and is unfortunately no longer available from Porsche, so Canford Classics had one fabricated especially for my car!

Simon.

The shell is complete...



So, it must be time for some mechanicals!

The engine is stripped and the original 7R case is shuffle-pinned in order to provide additional rigidity...



The case is boat-tailed to allow for better airflow around the main bearing webs...



The case come back from being cleaned and re-coated...



The completed case after machining and re-coating...



Simon.

New valves and springs, ready for the build...



The heads are machined...





The inlet ports are machined...



Finally the heads are the ported, flowed and built up...



Simon.